[1] The Carboniferous limestone rocks of these dales were formed 350 million years ago from the shells and sediments of a tropical sea.

Stone was quarried from a sill of dolerite rock, which was the result of lava rising through the strata of the surrounding limestone 'Derbyshire Dome'.

The many herbs and wild flowers include lady's bedstraw, bird's-foot trefoil, bloody cranesbill, devil's-bit scabious, saw-wort, ox-eye daisy, cowslip and common spotted-orchid.

Tideswell Dale car park is on the B6049 from where the footpath follows an avenue of mature beech trees.

[6] A footpath runs from the Monsal Trail, over the footbridge at Litton Mill up through the dale to Tideswell.