Thorpe Cloud

Last updated

Thorpe Cloud
Dovedale.JPG
Thorpe Cloud from Dovedale, with stepping stones
Highest point
Elevation 287 m (942 ft)
Prominence 79 m (259 ft)
Coordinates 53°03′22″N1°46′34″W / 53.05604°N 1.77616°W / 53.05604; -1.77616
Geography
Peak District National Park UK relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Thorpe Cloud
Location in the Peak District
Derbyshire UK relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Thorpe Cloud
Location in Derbyshire
Location Derbyshire, England
Parent range Peak District
OS grid SK151510
Topo map OS Landranger 119

Thorpe Cloud is an isolated limestone hill (a reef knoll) lying between the villages of Thorpe and Ilam on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border at the southern end of Dovedale. The name "cloud" derives from the Old English word clud which means "hill". Thorpe Cloud is popular with the many day-trippers who visit the area, and provides a fine viewpoint north up the dale and south across the Midland plain.

Like much of the dale, including Bunster Hill on the opposite bank, it is in the ownership of the National Trust, and is part of their South Peak Estate. These Dovedale properties were acquired by the Trust in 1934.

A double sunset can sometimes be seen against Thorpe Cloud from the top of nearby Lin Dale, as captured on film by the photographer Chris Doherty. The occurrence is visible in good weather on and around the summer solstice and perhaps beyond, when the sun sets on the summit of the hill, partially reappears from its steep northern slope and sets for a second and final time shortly afterwards. [1]

Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale were used as locations in the 2010 film of Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe. Thorpe Cloud can be clearly made out in several scenes towards the end of the film.

Thorpe Cloud also has a rifle range which local and national shooting clubs use. [2]

References

  1. "White Stuff UK".
  2. "Peak Rifle and Pistol Club" . Retrieved 17 December 2014.