Peak District from the South - May Edition
The River Dove winding its way through Dovedale
Dales in Bloom: Hartington, Wolfscote Dale & The Devonshire Arms
By May, the White Peak is at its absolute best. If you’re travelling up from Derby, Stoke or Nottingham, this is the moment to head for Hartington - where limestone dales, wildflower meadows and clear-running rivers create one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Peak District.
This is a softer side of the Peaks. Less grit, less exposure - but no less impressive. In fact, for many, this is where the National Park truly reveals itself.
A Landscape Carved by Water
The White Peak is defined by limestone - shaped over millions of years into deep, winding dales that feel almost hidden from the wider world.
Wolfscote Dale, in particular, offers something special. Cut by the River Dove, it weaves its way through steep-sided valley walls, dry stone boundaries and open pasture. Historically, these valleys supported farming communities and provided natural routes through otherwise challenging terrain.
Today, they offer something different: quiet, immersive walking that feels far removed from the busier hotspots.
The Walk: Hartington to Wolfscote Dale Loop
Starting in Hartington, the Wolfscote Dale Loop route drops down into Beresford Dale before opening into the wider, more expansive Wolfscote Dale.
The contrast is immediate. One moment you’re passing through shaded valley, the next you’re stepping out into open limestone country, where the river winds gently through the landscape and the sky feels larger above you.
In May, everything is alive:
Meadows filled with wildflowers
Butterflies moving along the riverbanks
Birds calling from the valley walls
The walking is steady and varied - never too steep, never dull - making it ideal for a full day without feeling like a slog.
Where to Stay
Bank House Farm Campsite in Hartington is a standout base for this part of the Peaks.
It offers:
Excellent access straight onto the route
Well-maintained facilities
A relaxed, walker-friendly feel
It’s the kind of place where you can arrive, pitch up and forget about the car for the rest of the weekend.
The Reward: The Devonshire Arms, Hartington
Back in the village, The Devonshire Arms delivers exactly what you want at the end of a long spring walk.
A proper country pub - warm, reliable and well run - serving good food, local ales, and the kind of atmosphere that encourages you to stay a little longer than planned.
Why Choose the White Peak in May?
May is peak season - but not in the way you might think:
Wildflowers and greenery at their best
Rivers running clear and full
Comfortable walking temperatures
Quieter alternatives to Dovedale’s main routes
It’s the Peak District at its most welcoming.
A Different Kind of Peak District
This is a landscape that invites you to slow down. To wander. To notice.
So this May, head south.
Follow the river.
Walk the dales in bloom.
And see a softer, richer side of the Peaks.
