Once the river leaves Dovedale it combines with the Manifold and enters a wider valley near
Thorpe. The valley increases in size as the river continues south to reach
Mapleton and then
Mayfield, where it is crossed by the medieval Hanging Bridge. At this point it is joined by the
Bentley Brook, and then nearby at
Church Mayfield, by the
Henmore Brook. The Dove now flows in a south-westerly direction, passing
Norbury and
Ellastone, where it turns south until it reaches
Rocester. To the south of the village, at Combridge it is joined by its largest tributary the
River Churnet. As it reaches the ancient
Dove Bridge, it is joined by the
River Tean, the river now meandering through a wide valley which turns east as it passes between
Doveridge and
Uttoxeter; the only town along its length. Beyond this point riverside communities, such as
Marchington,
Sudbury and
Scropton, tend to be located at the edge of the valley; although the village of
Hatton encroaches across the valley floor, where it is linked by a bridge to
Tutbury whose
Castle overlooks the crossing. The river continues east passing the villages of
Marston,
Rolleston on Dove and
Egginton, where it is joined by its last tributary, the
Hilton Brook. The river is divided at this point, with some flow passing through the mill fleam at Clay Mills, the two arms rejoin downstream of the A38 road bridge and
Monks Bridge, and then to the south, the Dove reaches its confluence with the River Trent, at
Newton Solney. ==Tributaries==