GreenSpirit Spring Walking Retreat 2025

Meanders and Stepping Stones, walking in the Dove Valley

YHA Ilam Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2AZ

Tuesday 27th May from 4pm – Friday 30th May after lunch

The GreenSpirit Spring Walking Retreat will take place from 27th to 30th May 2025. We will be staying at Ilam Hall Youth Hostel in Derbyshire (https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-ilam-hall). Situated in the Peak District National Park, YHA Ilam Hall is a refurbished gothic mansion, set within 84 acres of National Trust parkland with the beauty of Dovedale just on its doorstep. We have a leisure room for our exclusive use, sleeping accommodation will be shared (with members of our own group).

The beautiful youth hostel is full of character and nestled near the quaint village of Ilam. Dovedale has long been considered the most beautiful of the Derbyshire Dales, though half of it lies in Staffordshire with the river forming the county boundary.

Here is some of England’s most extraordinary limestone gorge scenery. Walks will take us beside secluded rivers, past rocky outcrops and ancient fields. There will be the opportunity to climb higher for magnificent views over rolling landscape.

We will gather for dinner on 27th May and will walk on the 28th & 29th of May and the morning of 30th May, departing for home after lunch together. In the evenings we will gather to do some creative activities and make our own entertainment. Children welcome when accompanied by their responsible adult.

We plan walks of various length and incline, suitable for striders, strollers, and stragglers. The walks vary in length and in difficulty. There are easy riverside walks and some steeper climbs up to see stunning views. The ground can be muddy and uneven so it is strongly recommended that you have good footwear. We always walk with respect for this land of ours, stopping occasionally for some readings/poems/devotional activities.

Each day there will be a longer, led walk and a shorter, less demanding walk also led. You will be welcome to go on a shorter, unled walk by yourself or with others. Shorter walks will be identified and directions (with maps) given. You would also be welcome to join the main group for part of the walk and return by yourself or with others at any point (again unled).

Please don’t feel you have to be a walker to join us as there is room in the hostel for others to come along and do their own thing whilst we are out walking. So if you are not able to walk, join us anyway and bring your books and writing/drawing materials for an inexpensive break in beautiful surroundings.

If you have any questions, email Hilary on hnorton@greenspirit.org.uk or phone: 07957 318501.

Booking

The cost of this walking retreat is £280 including full board from dinner on 27th May to lunch on 30th May. The deadline for booking and full payment is April 1st 2025 and there are no refunds after this date.

The Youth Hostel will ask us what our food requirements are nearer the time and then we can make our choices individually about our dietary requirements.

We have a bursary fund to help those who would like to come but are unable to do so because of the cost. Please make enquiries to Hilary hnorton@greenspirit.org.uk.

The success of this event relies on the goodwill and support of all participants. You must tell us in advance if you have any medical or mobility issues so that we can see if this event is suitable for you and whether we can accept your booking. By booking this event, you acknowledge that you are coming at your own risk, you confirm that you are medically and emotionally able to participate in the event, that you accept responsibility for yourself, your personal care and your own well-being.

To pay by cheque or online banking

Click here for the booking form to post or email to Hilary.

If you wish to pay by online banking (BACS), please email Hilary (details below) to ask for the information. If you can pay by online banking (BACS) or by cheque then GreenSpirit will not have to pay the credit/debit card fees.

To pay by credit or debit card

Click on the following link:

For booking enquiries, contact Hilary by email hnorton@greenspirit.org.uk or phone: 07957 318501.