Ilam

Settlement in Staffordshire Staffordshire Moorlands

England

Ilam

Signpost on the Manifold Way Approaching Coldwall Bridge with the River Dove currently over to the left. — Signpost on the Manifold Way Credit: Bill Boaden

Ilam is a picturesque village nestled in the Staffordshire Moorlands district of England. Located along the River Manifold, it lies approximately five miles west of the market town of Ashbourne. Ilam is renowned for its natural beauty and is part of the Peak District National Park, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The village itself is characterized by its charming stone houses, many of which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The centerpiece of Ilam is undoubtedly Ilam Hall, an impressive Gothic mansion built in the 1820s. Once the seat of the wealthy Watts-Russell family, the hall now serves as a youth hostel and is surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens, including a beautiful Italianate garden.

Ilam also boasts an attractive village green, complete with a duck pond and a quaint tea room serving traditional British fare. The village is home to a small but vibrant community, with a primary school, a post office, and a parish church, St. Bertram's.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Ilam offers a range of activities. The surrounding countryside is perfect for walking, cycling, and horse riding, with numerous trails and paths to explore. The Dovedale Stepping Stones, a popular landmark, can be found just a short distance away, and provide a picturesque crossing point over the River Dove.

Overall, Ilam is a captivating village that seamlessly combines history, natural beauty, and a strong sense of community, making it a delightful place to visit or call home.

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Ilam Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.054674/-1.799762 or Grid Reference SK1350. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Signpost on the Manifold Way

Approaching Coldwall Bridge with the River Dove currently over to the left.

Bill Boaden

Track onto Coldwall Bridge

Part of the Limestone Way which will cross the River Dove.

Bill Boaden

Autumn view from Blore Pastures

Taken from Blore Pastures Picnic site looking across towards Bunster Hill and the mouth of Dovedale.

Trevor Harris

Benchmark, Coldwall Bridge

Detail of the Ordnance Survey rivet benchmark on the north parapet of Coldwall Bridge. The rivet is missing and the cut arrow is unusually elaborate. The benchmark is located on the county boundary of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it marks a height of 135.0173m above mean sea level (Ordnance Datum Newlyn) last verified in 1949 (location photograph SK1449 : Boundary stone, Coldwall Bridge).

Adrian Taylor

Milepost, Coldwall Lane

This Grade II listed stone milepost, still bearing its cast iron plate reading Cheadle 11, was erected following construction of the Blythe Marsh, Oakamoor to Thorpe turnpike road. Turnpike trusts had a legal obligation to erect milestones or mileposts along all roads for which they were responsible. This section of the road, now in places only used as a farm track, fell into disuse as early motor vehicles struggled with the gradients, road users preferring to use alternative routes.

Adrian Taylor

Boundary stone, Coldwall Bridge

Coldwall Bridge carried the Blythe Marsh, Oakamoor to Thorpe turnpike road over the River Dove. The county boundary between Staffordshire and Derbyshire which follows the centre of the River is marked by the projecting boundary stone, upon the top of which is an Ordnance Survey rivet benchmark (detail photograph SK1449 : Benchmark, Coldwall Bridge). This section of the turnpike road, now in places only used as a farm track, fell into disuse as early motor vehicles struggled with the gradients, road users preferring to use alternative routes.

Adrian Taylor

View towards Dove Dale

Taken from the picnic area on Blore Pasture.

Trevor Harris

Track leading down to Coldwall Bridge from Thorpe

Colin Park

The Waterings Farm

The farm is off Blore Lane and has a good view across and down the valley.

Malcolm Neal

Looking along Blore Lane

Looking back down the road from the position of the previous submission SK1249 : The Waterings Farm.

Malcolm Neal

Old Milestone by Ilam-Moor Lane, west of Blore

Stone post (plate lost) by the UC road, Ilam-Moor Lane, in parish of Blore with Swinscoe (Staffordshire Moorlands District), West of Blore cross-roads, on grass verge, on South side of road. Cheadle iron plate, erected by the Cheadle to Butterton Moor (District of Cheadle) turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription once read:- (CHEADLE) (10) Staffordshire HER. HER Number: 20672 Link

Milestone Society National ID: ST_CDBM10

Ian Bailey

Verge and field gate near Coldwall Farm

David Smith

An addendum to the road sign, near Blore Hall

Unsuitable for HGVs on the original sign, with the addition "And coaches"; presumably in the past some coach drivers thought that they could use the road

David Smith