Dovedale walkers told stepping stones 'impassable'
- Published
Visitors have been told not to cross the river using the stones
Walkers in the Peak District have been told not to use the famous Dovedale stepping stones because two have been washed out of position.
One of the stones crossing the River Dove has become partially submerged while a second has been moved to the side following recent heavy rain.
The National Trust has asked people to use a footbridge further downstream if they want to cross the river.
The stepping stones attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
They were last closed to walkers four years ago when two stones were dislodged by floodwater causing tree branches and debris collecting behind them.
Derbyshire County Council said engineers would visit the site to assess the damage before it knew how long the stones would be out of action.
Dovedale stepping stones
- They are made up of slabs which were put in place in the late 19th Century and became popular with Victorian tourists
- The stepping stones link Staffordshire and Derbyshire
- The River Dove became famous for trout fishing in the 17th Century after Izaak Walton published his book The Compleat Angler
- Fossils can be spotted in some of the steps
- Dovedale was given to the National Trust in 1934 and declared a National Nature Reserve in 2006
- The stones were renovated in 2010 with limestone blocks controversially placed on top of the originals
- Published16 July 2012
- Published5 August 2010
