Peak District Villages - Ilam & Alstonfield

Navigating The Route

This is a linear Detective Mystery around the Peak District villages of Ilam and Alstonefield, with Detectives helping Chief Inspector Laura Order and Agent Cody Breaker sift through the clues and discover whodunnit after Colonel D. Veeus, former head of PEA-KS, meets an untimely end in the Peak District.

The investigation covers 1.75 miles walking and 6 miles driving, and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin at Ilam Cross, opposite the telephone box, then investigate Ilam, St. Bertram's Church, Ilam Hall, the meadows beside the River Manifold, Paradise Walk and woodland paths before returning to your vehicle. After finishing the Ilam section, drive around 4 miles to Alstonefield, park at the Memorial Hall and continue on foot.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes grassy fields, a path by the river, a straight section bounded by walls called Paradise Walk, a steady climb through woods and a short green track, along with road crossings and a busy junction.

Take care near the water's edge and at the very busy junction. In dry weather, the river flows underground for some miles before reappearing at the boilholes.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Ilam Cross, opposite the telephone box, Ilam (DE6 2AZ). There is limited roadside parking just over the bridge if reaching Ilam from Blore, a mile to the south. Alternatively, use Ilam Hall National Trust car park (DE6 2AZ). After the Ilam section, return to your vehicle and drive around 4 miles to Alstonefield, where you park at the Memorial Hall and continue on foot.

By public transport: Make your way to Ilam Cross, opposite the telephone box in Ilam (DE6 2AZ), to begin the case.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available at Ilam Hall and in Alstonefield. Later in the investigation, the route also passes the car park by the toilets.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome on this Peak District investigation. 🐾

Keep canine colleagues supervised at all times near the water's edge, and stay alert around grassy fields, the riverside path, road crossings and the very busy junction. The route says to supervise sniffer dogs at all times too - especially if they start acting suspiciously clever.

Food & Drink Stops

No Detective should tackle a countryside case on an empty stomach. There is a National Trust cafe at Ilam Hall, plus a book shop and cafe on the route, and The George is passed later in Alstonefield.

The meadows beside the River Manifold are recommended as a place to stop, so pack supplies for a picnic if you fancy turning the evidence-gathering into a proper Peak District pause. Tea and cakes also get a mention along the way.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Ilam Cross

Your case begins beside Ilam Cross, a Gothic Revival monument of national importance. It commemorates Mary Watts-Russell, who died in 1840, and was designed in the style of an Eleanor Cross - the name given to the monuments erected by Edward I to commemorate Eleanor of Castile's death in 1290.

St. Bertram's Church

St. Bertram's Church dates from Norman times and has a fascinating interior, making it well worth a respectful look while your Detectives are in Ilam. Keep an eye out for St. Bertram, or Bertelin, who was a Saxon lord before becoming a hermit and mystic.

Ilam Hall

Ilam Hall was built by Jesse Watts-Russell between 1821-36. Much of it was demolished before being saved for the nation by the National Trust, but what remains still gives a clue to its former splendour. It is now an International Youth Hostel, with the National Trust cafe nearby for refreshments.

Paradise Walk and the River Manifold

Paradise Walk is the straight section of path bounded by walls that was once a favourite Victorian carriage ride. It is a lovely atmospheric stretch of the investigation, but take great care here and keep away from the water's edge.

Casterne Hall Estate

En route, you pass the Manifold Showground on the Casterne Hall estate. The hall was rebuilt in 1730 and is considered one of the finest 100 houses in England, with Poirot, Jonathan Creek, Sherlock Holmes and classical dramas all filmed there - very appropriate territory for Detectives on a whodunnit.