Peak District Walking Weekend - Ilam & Dovedale

Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

Meeting Location:
Ilam Bunkhouse
Ilam Hall
Ilam
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 2AZ

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Parking: Parking is just 70m from the bunkhouse, in the National Trust’s Ilam Park car park. The pay-and-display car park costs £5 for up to 4hrs/£7 for over 4hrs, but is free for National Trust Members (bring your Membership card).

Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

You’ll stay at the National Trust’s Ilam Bunkhouse. With epic limestone hills, winding rivers and ancient woodland surrounding it, this remote accommodation is ideally placed for exploring the Peak District.

No bedding or towels are provided (the beds will have mattress protectors only) - please bring bedding/sleeping bag and pillow, as well as a towel and your own toiletries.

Accommodation Address:
Ilam Bunkhouse
Ilam Hall
Ilam
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 2AZ

Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
All rooms at this hostel are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

Included:

• 2 nights’ accommodation in the National Trust’s Ilam Bunkhouse.

• 2 days of guided walking in the southern Peak District.

• Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

• A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

• A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.

• Teas (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and soft drinks at the accommodation.

• The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

• Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

• A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

Not Included:

• Travel to and from the meeting location.

• Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

• No bedding or towels are provided (the beds will have mattress protectors only) - please bring bedding/sleeping bag and pillow, as well as a towel and your own toiletries.

• Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

• Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

• Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

• Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

• Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian, vegan, and/or provide meals with gluten free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking. Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

• What transport is provided during this experience?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog on an experience, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.