Peak District Interpretation Partnership
 

Interpretation in Milldale and Dovedale

A picture of Milldales message boardA picture of Milldales message board A picture a message boradA picture a message borad A picture of visitor information boardsA picture of visitor information boards
 
A recent flurry of activity by the Peak District Interpretation Partnership and the National Trust has given the Information Barn at Milldale a total refit.
 
Working together with Imagemakers, the Partnership and the Wardens have developed a new stimulating display telling the story of this unique hamlet at the northern end of Dovedale. A combination of graphics, words and wonderful wooden carvings bring the landscape of the South Peak Estate to life. Wood carver Steve Portchmouth has created a stunning sculpture of the sheep wash bringing a high quality artistic element to the Dale.
 
At the other end of Dovedale a pair of Gateway signs have been developed to provide both interpretation of the Dale and to help influence the behaviour of the many visitors who come to enjoy Dovedale each year. Incorporated into the panels is the evocative poem 'Magical Dovedale' by 11 year old Joshua Tipping. This was the overall winner in the 'Spirit of Dovedale' poetry competition held in 2003. It is available in Braille on the new panels.
 
New children's guides to Dovedale and the Manifold have been created by local artist Sue Prince and are freely available around the Estate. A vivid display of wonderfully mounted birds and mammals has been created in the Learning Centre to give access to the elusive fauna for visiting educational groups.
 
Magical Dovedale
A poem by Joshua Tipping
 
The water chuckles and giggles over the weirs,
Then the bobbing dipper disappears.
The wrens and goldcrests dart along the riverside,
Above the spires the clouds do glide.
Ilam Rock looks down on Pickering Tor,
While mosses and ferns creep over the floor.
Across the Stepping Stones we tread,
Look! That rock is shaped like a lion's head.
The ducks dip under, just showing a tail,
And this is my magical spirit of Dovedale.