Toilets are at Fairholmes, rather than at the viewpoint. Closing is approximately 17:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer, subject to staffing; opening time is unverified.
Fairholmes paid parking: up to 2 hours £3.50, 2–4 hours £6, over 4 hours £7. Cash, card and RingGo accepted. Daylight access only; no overnight parking and closure is possible in extreme weather.
Fairholmes has paid parking, toilets and seasonal refreshments. There are no verified public services at the viewpoint; check current facility hours before travelling.
Opening hours
All times are local to the place. Facility hours may differ from access to the grounds. N/A means no timetable was available in the sources checked; read the notes for access guidance.
Fairholmes car park
Fairholmes toilets
Reservoir site
Fairholmes car park
Day
Opening times
monday
Not yet checked
tuesday
Not yet checked
wednesday
Not yet checked
thursday
Not yet checked
friday
Not yet checked
saturday
Not yet checked
sunday
Not yet checked
Open during daylight; exact clock times vary. Closed in extreme weather; no overnight parking.
Broken gritstone cliffs and the natural pinnacle called The Tower above remote Alport Dale, approached on foot from Fairholmes.
Alport Castles is a dramatic landslip landscape where harder gritstone has broken away above weaker rocks. The Tower rises among fallen blocks below the escarpment, with open views over Alport Dale. The Royal Geographical Society’s walk reaches the rim from the Upper Derwent Valley before continuing through the dale.
A closer look
Discover the landscape and stories behind this place.
Before you set out
Details and coordinates can be incomplete or out of date. Check current access, conditions, weather and your route with the site operator before travelling. This is not live navigation or emergency guidance.
Editorial review: 6 November 2026. Conditions may change.
Approach
Allow 90 minutes one way (estimated) from Fairholmes via Lockerbrook Farm, the ladder stile and Lockerbrook Heights to the escarpment above Alport Castles. Use the RGS route map. The total visit range is for its roughly 12 km circuit through Alport Dale and Hagg Farm, returning to Fairholmes.
Walking time from arrival (one way)
90 minutes (approximate)
Terrain & steps
Uphill woodland and farm tracks, a ladder stile, exposed moorland and a steep descent on the full circuit, with A57 crossings.
Accessibility
The stated route includes a ladder stile and steep rough ground. It is not a step-free approach.
Access & restrictions
View the formations from a safe position on established paths. Keep clear of cliff edges and loose landslip ground; The Tower is not a casual scramble. Follow current forestry and access signs.
Seasonal considerations
The upper route is exposed to wind and poor visibility; mud, snow or ice increase the difficulty. Plan the circuit’s road crossings and return within daylight.
Approach walk: approximately 90 minutes one way from the stated arrival point.
Typical total visit: 240–330 minutes, including exploring.
The stated approach has steps or stiles. Read the accessibility notes for details.
One-way approach: 90 minutes (estimated) from Fairholmes to the rim viewpoint via Lockerbrook. Total visit: 240–330 minutes (estimated) for the RGS 7½-mile circuit and stops. Its published four-hour circuit is the baseline. The 25–30 minutes in the guide starts at Lockerbrook Farm, not Fairholmes.
Source for these planning details
More to discover nearby
A few other places within 25 miles of Alport Castles. Distances are approximate, straight line; use each guide’s arrival point to plan your journey.
