Ilam Hall & Park (National Trust)

The National Trust cares for 158 acres of Ilam Park, which lies on both banks of the River Manifold five miles north west of Ashbourne. It forms part of the South Peak Estate and is open all year.

Ilam Park, at the southern end of the Manifold valley, consists of Ilam Hall and remnants of its gardens, ancient semi-natural woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and open parkland with well preserved 'ridge and furrow' from medieval agriculture.

There are large areas of grassland around the visitors' car park and the Hall where visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful setting.

Ilam Hall

Ilam Hall was built between 1821 and 1827. By the early 1930s it had been sold for demolition. Three quarters of the Hall had been demolished before Sir Robert McDougal bought it for the National Trust, on the understanding that it be used as an International Youth Hostel. Ilam Hall is leased to the Youth Hostel Association and is not open to the general public.

The 'boil-holes'

Here the rivers Manifold and Hamps re-emerge after following underground courses for a few miles. Together they form the largest such rising in the country and are known as the 'boil-holes' as the water appears to bubble and boil as it appears from underground. Above the boil holes the river bed is dry for much of the summer.

Hinkley Wood

This is semi-natural ancient woodland and is designated as a SSSI particularly for its small-leaved and large-leaved limes and their hybrids.

It has well developed ground flora that includes several local species; interesting epiphytic lichen flora and excellent invertebrate fauna including several very rare species of beetle and local molluscs.