Famous Peak District stepping stones closed to the public after storm damage

The stepping stones at Dovedale, near Ilam, are one of the most photographed river crossings in the country, attracting generations of visitors to the banks of the River Dove to capture the memorable shot.

However, the stones sustained damage after being struck by debris carried by floodwater, forcing the National Trust – which owns the land – to temporarily close the route from Friday, November 24.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “The heavy wet weather we experienced during recent storms caused the river to rise, with debris dislodging two of the stepping stones. This has required us to close the stepping stones until the necessary repair work can take place.

"Although the stones are on National Trust land, they form part of a public right of way and are maintained by Derbyshire County Council, so we are liaising with them regarding the repairs.”

There is currently no timeframe for the repair work, but safety considerations may prevent it happening in the short term.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We know the stepping stones at Dovedale are very popular with visitors.

“River levels remain high which means we will have to wait to retrieve and reset the stones but we will do this as soon as conditions allow.

“We're sorry for any disappointment, but hope visitors understand the need to ensure the stones are safe.”

Trail users around Dovedale have also been reporting extremely muddy conditions around the river, so weekend walkers are advised to bear that in mind when planning their next outing.

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