Chained Oak Walk from Oakamoor

A flat, shaded 4 mile out and back through Dimmingsdale to a cursed oak tree wrapped in chains, with a café stop on the way and Alton Towers close enough to hear.

What to expect

The Chained Oak is a huge, old oak tree in Dimmingsdale, wrapped in heavy chains. The story goes that in the 1830s a beggar woman asked the Earl of Shrewsbury for money as he passed in his coach. He refused, so she cursed him, for every branch that fell from the oak, a member of his family would die. When a branch did fall and a death followed, the Earl had the tree chained up to stop any more branches coming down.

It’s the same legend behind the Hex ride at Alton Towers, which backs onto Dimmingsdale, you can hear the rides and the screams from the trail. The walk itself is flat and shaded the whole way, easy going, dogs on lead.

Getting there & parking

Oakamoor Picnic Site, Mill Road, Oakamoor, ST10 3AG. Free parking, toilets on site.

Good to know

The route

It’s an out and back, about 4 miles round trip. From the picnic site, follow the trail down into Dimmingsdale. About halfway along you’ll reach the Ramblers Retreat café, worth stopping at, then carry on to the Chained Oak before turning back the same way to the car.

Tips & what to bring

Good shade the whole way, one for hot days. Bring water anyway, and keep dogs on lead throughout.

Eat & drink nearby

The Ramblers Retreat, Dimmingsdale Lodge, Red Road, Alton, ST10 4BU. We just grabbed cold drinks since it was so hot, but they do breakfast, lunch, Staffordshire oatcakes, toasted sandwiches and homemade cakes too. Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays except bank holidays.

Ramblers Retreat, Dimmingsdale Cafe

A family run tearoom in a converted gatehouse on the Chained Oak walk at Dimmingsdale, serving oatcakes and cake since 1981.

1.1 miles away 📍 Map View →

Oakleys Farm Buffalo & Co. Kitchen Farm shop

Buffalo breakfast buns at Oakleys Farm, Dilhorne, sausage or bacon from 7.25, free parking, Thursday to Sunday only.

5.3 miles away 📍 Map View →

The Old Dog Country Pub, Thorpe, Near Dovedale ✦ NewPub

A country pub just minutes from the Dovedale Stepping Stones and the Tissington trail.

7.7 miles away 📍 Map View →

BEAR, Ashbourne, Peak District Cafe

BEAR in Ashbourne, a modern cafe doing brilliant food and burgers a stone's throw from Dovedale. Our go-to stop before or after…

8 miles away 📍 Map View →

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Places to stay nearby

The Estate Rooms, Alstonefield Manor Self-catering

A private wing of a Peak District stone manor, The Estate Rooms sleep two with a king bed, a cosy living space…

8.3 miles away 📍 Map View →

See all places to stay on the map →

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