The River Dove footpath
The riverside path from the cottage garden runs north towards Hartington and south towards Dovedale and its Stepping Stones.
From the gardenDove Cottage, Alstonefield, Peak District
DE6 2GA · Lode Mill, six miles north of Ashbourne
Checked 18 Sep 2026 Brown trout 2 3/4 miles of the River DoveFly fishing for 2 rodsDogs welcome
Dog-Friendly Fly Fishing Cottage on the River Dove
A Victorian fishing lodge on the banks of the River Dove in the Peak District, with brown trout fishing for two rods on an exclusive two and three quarter mile stretch. Well behaved dogs are welcome.
A fly angler's cottage on one of England's best-known trout rivers. The cottage sits on the riverbank at Lode Mill with a reserved pool directly in front of it and two rods on a two and three quarter mile stretch of wild and stocked brown trout water. The season runs from 1 April to early October. It suits a pair of fly anglers, or a small family with one, who also want to walk the Dove valley.
Good for
- Fly anglers after wild brown trout
- Walkers: the riverside footpath runs from the garden
- Well behaved dogs
Think twice if
- You want coarse or carp fishing: this is trout water, fly fishing
- You need step-free access: the cottage has level changes and internal steps
Buy flies from the bailiff
Bring your own rods and tackle, but flies and nylon can be bought from the river bailiff, which saves guessing what is working on the day.
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What a Stay at Dove Cottages Is Like
Dove Cottage is a Victorian fishing lodge at Lode Mill, on the banks of the River Dove about three quarters of a mile from Milldale, a mile from Alstonefield and six miles north of Ashbourne. It sits at the bottom of the dale, where the Dove forms the boundary between Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
It has been refurbished and sleeps up to five in three bedrooms, two twins and a single, with an Everhot cooker, a dishwasher, a washing machine and a log or coal fire. There is off-road parking for two cars on a gravelled drive.
The pool directly in front of the cottage is reserved for guests.
The fishing is two rods on an exclusive two and three quarter mile stretch of single and double bank. The pool in front of the cottage is reserved for guests, and the rest of the stretch is shared with the 59 Fly-Fishing Club. The water holds wild and stocked brown trout, and the season runs from 1 April to early October.
A public footpath follows the river from the sloping lawn, so the walking starts at the garden gate.
Written from the venue’s published details. We have not stayed here ourselves.
The Fishing at Dove Cottages
Fly fishing for two rods on an exclusive two and three quarter mile stretch of the River Dove, with a reserved pool in front of the cottage.
2 3/4 milesOf River Dove
2Rods
1 AprSeason opens
Tickets, times and rules
| Season | 1 April to early October |
| Rods | 2 |
| Water | Single and double bank, shared with the 59 Fly-Fishing Club apart from the reserved pool |
| Species | Wild and stocked brown trout |
| Tackle | Bring your own; flies and nylon from the river bailiff |
| Licence | An Environment Agency rod licence is required |
The Lodges
One Victorian riverside cottage sleeping up to five.
Dove Cottage
Reserved pool
In front of the cottage
Log or coal fire
With an Everhot cooker
Three bedrooms
Two twins and a single
Dogs welcome
Tell the owners when booking
Parking
Two cars, off road
Cot and highchair
Available
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Things to Do Around the Dove Valley
Some of the Peak District's best walking starts at the cottage.
Ashbourne
The nearest market town for shopping and eating out.
About six miles southQuestions About Dove Cottages
What is the fishing at Dove Cottage?
Fly fishing for two rods on an exclusive two and three quarter mile stretch of the River Dove, for wild and stocked brown trout. The pool in front of the cottage is reserved for guests; the rest is shared with the 59 Fly-Fishing Club.
Source: dovecottages.co.uk
When is the fishing season?
From 1 April to early October.
Source: dovecottages.co.uk access statement
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. Well behaved dogs are welcome; tell the owners when you book.
Source: dovecottages.co.uk
How many people does it sleep?
Up to five, in two twin rooms and a single.
Source: dovecottages.co.uk
Is the cottage accessible?
It sits at the bottom of a dale with level changes and several internal steps, and the owners publish an access statement with measurements.
Source: dovecottages.co.uk access statement
Getting There
Lode Mill, Alstonefield, six miles north of Ashbourne. Postcode DE6 2GA.
Open in Google Maps · Phone 01335 310389
Email [email protected].
Other Fishing Lodges Nearby
Last checked 18 Sep 2026. The facts on this page come from these sources. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.