Dove Dale NNR
The reserve is in the northernmost reaches of Dove Dale (the valley of the River Dove) in the Derbyshire Dales District of the Peak District National Park.
County: Derbyshire
Main habitats: Woodland, Lowland Grassland
Area: 29 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The Dove Dale reserve is managed by the National Trust. Also known as Biggindale NNR.
The majority of the NNR comprises grassland, with some scree habitats on the eastern slope of the Dale and a small area of ash woodland.
The grassland is species-rich and includes quaking grass, crested hair grass, common rockrose, glaucous sedge and wild thyme. Other plants found here include Nottingham catchfly, mountain everlasting, stone bramble, pale St John’s wort and clustered bellflower. In May and June, visitors can see early purple orchids, cowslips, harebells and salad burnet.
The screes support hutchinsia, rue-leaved saxifrage, fern grass, red hemp nettle and the rare dark-red helleborine.
Birdlife found on the reserve includes redstart, yellow hammer, wheatear, skylark, linnet, raven, buzzard and partridge; while butterflies include northern brown argus and white-letter hairstreak.
Location and access
Dove Dale is 2 km east of the A515, 1 km south west of the village of Biggin and 12 km north of the town of Ashbourne.
The northern end of the Dale can be accessed at two points: Dale End and Dalehead (both 0.5 km from Biggin village).
By car, access is via minor roads from the A515 or B5054. There is limited parking at Dale End and Dalehead with more in the village of Hartington 3 km to the north west.
The nearest train stations are in Matlock (15 km to the east) and Buxton (18 km to the north).
A Derbyshire bus service passes through Biggin near the reserve.
The Tissington Trail also passes near the reserve and this forms part of National Route 68 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Bicycles, including those suitable for the less-abled, are available for hire from the Ashbourne Cycle Hire Centre.
Facilities
The nearest toilets and refreshments are in local villages.
There are public footpaths through the reserve and information panels at the reserve's entrances.
A 180m section of surfaced track is suitable for wheelchair access.
