The Hermitage

Yet another splendid local walk around Dale Abbey and the Hermits Cave. We are so lucky to have many walks around the Ilkeston area.

Well worth a visit if you are passing, nice walk, nice scenery, thought the caves we're very interesting

A gentle trail walk through ancient woodland to find the rare and special place.

The Hermitage caves were a nice walk, it is a small cave with open field and a forest that you can walk through it. It is suitable for kids walk in the forest, the caves and climb uphill to see the farm, as for the car park can hold at least 10-15 cars.

Gently walk with the kids to let them explore

Great place for the family to investigate.
If you stay on the lower path from either Dale Abbey or Woodpecker hill entrance, it's better underfoot.
The higher path is more interesting but harder for those impaired.

I have visited the hermitage a couple of times in March 2021 great to see the old Abbey archway towering high. The hermitage itself is up a steep incline and has a well kept path but very uneven underfoot and with steps up to the hermits Cave itself, there is a small amount of on t Road parking about 10 mins walk from the cave in either direction but there are some wonderful walks, starting at nearby stanton by dale and doing a 10km Country loop you can visit the hermitage, a then a cafe on route to a small alpaca farm before heading back via the Risley lanx ending back at stanton by dale with a choice of pubs

A small but interesting little piece of history dating back almost a thousand years it's on the route of a 5.5 mile circular walk and worth a slight detour up the short hill for a gander.