The closed Dovedale stepping stones that still attract crowds

In addition to the crowds seen during the confrontation, a simple search on Facebook or TikTok returns a variety of recently posted pictures and video showing groups of people crossing the stones.

Dovedale and its river were immortalised by Izaak Walton in his famous 17th Century fishing book, The Compleat Angler.

Staff from a hotel nearby that bears the writer’s name – the Izaak Walton Country House Hotel – described the spot as “stunning”.

But deputy manager Chris Rushton said: “They [the crowds] queue from both sides to try to cross from both ways.”

On the issue of overcrowding, a National Trust spokesperson said it was about balancing the provision of access “with the needs of the environment and local communities”.

“The stepping stones are a public right of way leading out into the open countryside of the Peak District,” they said.

“Since the stepping stones were damaged during Storm Babet, we have tried to keep as much of the area open to visitors as possible, with signage in place to advise visitors not to use them and we have suggested alternative routes.”