Location
Welcome to Ashbourne
With its winding cobbled streets, welcoming Market Place and handsome Tudor and Georgian heritage.
Things to do in Ashbourne in the Peak District & Derbyshire
Ashbourne is known as 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.
While there's no doubt that it's the perfect base if you want to explore the spectacular limestone landscapes of the southern White Peak, it also pays to take a leisurely walking tour around town to immerse yourself in its fascinating history and architecture.
With more than 200 listed buildings - including historic almshouses, fine coaching inns and genteel town houses - Ashbourne is a visual feast for the discerning visitor. Don't miss the splendid facade of the Grade I listed Old Grammar School; the 'longest inn sign in the world' outside The Greenman pub and restaurant; or the beautiful St Oswald's Parish Church with its striking 212 feet high spire, described by classic author George Eliot as the 'finest single spire in England'.
Another highlight is the 17th century mansion, once home to the 'King of Ashbourne', Dr. John Taylor, where Lichfield-born Dr. Samuel Johnson, author of the first-ever English dictionary, was a frequent visitor in the 1700s.
Ashbourne also has some fascinating foodie links. The original recipe for Ashbourne Gingerbread was acquired from French prisoners of war - in particular the personal chef of a captured French general - who were kept in the town during the Napoleonic wars (1799-1815).
The timber-framed Gingerbread Shop - now a Birds Bakery - can still be seen in St John Street and the Original Ashbourne Gingerbread can be purchased locally.
Shopping is a pure pleasure thanks to its plethora of small, family-run businesses and weekly open-air market. Browse for fine antiques, quality food and drink, designer fashion and much more, then relax over morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea in a selection of cafés, inns and tea rooms.
Ashbourne is also famous for its ancient tradition of Royal Shrovetide Football - 'turned up', or started, by such famous figures as Prince Charles, Sir Stanley Matthews and The Duke of Devonshire. Played each Shrovetide Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, it's a unique and unruly event that bears little resemblance to the modern game!
Walkers, cyclists and horse riders will appreciate the fact that the town also sits at the start of the traffic-free Tissington Trail - a green gateway to Dovedale and the Pennine Bridleway, linking up farther north with the popular High Peak Trail.
Discover places to stay in Ashbourne and things to do near Ashbourne below.
Featured Businesses
Featured
Business
Wildhive at Callow Hall
Callow Hall is the first hotel from Wildhive, a new boutique hospitality brand deeply rooted in nature. Surrounded by 35 acres of wild open space, it…
Featured
Business
Landal Sandybrook
Landal Sandybrook provides luxury self catering lodges (some with hot tubs) on our 5 star holiday park. With just 53 lodges Landal Sandybrook is a…
Featured
Business
Hoe Grange Gorgeous Glamping Pods and Gypsy…
Go glamping in style with stunning views of the Peak District countryside from your pillow. Spacious ensuite shower and every luxury you need for a…
In The Area
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Featured
Business
Callow Top Holiday Park
Popular family holiday park within walking distance of Ashbourne. Swimming pool, play rea, fishing. Pub serving good food & a wide selection of…
Featured
Business
Hoe Grange Holidays
4 award winning log cabins set on a working farm with stunning views of the White Peak countryside. Unwind in the hot tub or log-fired sauna. Dogs…
Featured
Business
Hoe Grange Gorgeous Glamping Pods and Gypsy…
Go glamping in style with stunning views of the Peak District countryside from your pillow. Spacious ensuite shower and every luxury you need for a…
Featured
Business
Wildhive at Callow Hall
Callow Hall is the first hotel from Wildhive, a new boutique hospitality brand deeply rooted in nature. Surrounded by 35 acres of wild open space, it…
Featured
Business
Landal Sandybrook
Landal Sandybrook provides luxury self catering lodges (some with hot tubs) on our 5 star holiday park. With just 53 lodges Landal Sandybrook is a…
Business
Cruck'd Barn, Hurdlow Grange
This is a truly beautiful building with a huge open plan living/dining area with the original Cruck beams dating back over 400 years. This dog…
Business
Carsington Sports and Leisure Activity Centre
Watersports activities on one of the UK's largest reservoirs, including kayaking and windsurfing.
Business
The Grooms Quarters
Tranquil setting, superb views, bordering the Peak District National Park. Many original 18th century features, all home comforts, a perfect retreat.…
Business
The Orchards
Warm and welcoming countryside cottage near Dovedale with amazing views. 3 bedrooms, dining room and cosy log fire. Romantic and relaxing. All rooms…
Business
Upper Hurst Farm Caravans Camping & Glamping
Upper Hurst Farm is a family run site in a Rural Idyll that is surrounded by hills and is close to the picture-postcard village of Hartington.
Business
Hillcroft
Luxury modern 8 bedroomed, individually designed, holiday home set in a peaceful hamlet commanding unrivalled views of the Derbyshire Dales.…
Business
Hurdlow Grange
Hurdlow Grange is a group of luxury farmhouses and barns that can sleep various combinations of guests up to 45. Located around a central courtyard.
Events in Ashbourne
Events
Tissington Well Dressing
One of the most popular well dressings in the Peak District and Derbyshire.
Events
Peak District WALX Festival 2023
Our festival HUB will be in Ashbourne, the gateway to the Peak District, offering you a variety of walks and workshops in one of the most picturesque…
Villages nearby
Tissington
A perfect picture book village with beautiful cottages built around a noble old hall, fine church and duck pond. Home of the FitzHerbert family for over 400 years and it is their splendid Jacobean residence at the Hall.
Ilam
Ilam (eye-lamb) nestles beside the River Manifold in the Staffordshire Peak District among limestone hills. It sits in the Peak District National Park on the Staffordshire border with Derbyshire, close to the famous Dovedale valley.
Sudbury
A delightful former estate village with charming rows of red-bricked cottages and gabled houses line the main street. Sudbury Hall is a splendid late 17th Century mansion, with sumptuous interiors, formal gardens, deer cote and lakeside meadows.
Alstonefield
Alstonefield is a small picturesque village in the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park.
Osmaston
A very picturesque estate village with pretty cottages along tree-lined lanes. Just off the A52 south east of Ashbourne, this really is a model village. Built to serve the now demolished Osmaston Manor.
Hartington
The home of cheese-making in Derbyshire and one of the prettiest villages in the Peak.
Beauty spots nearby
Business Directory Dovedale
Dovedale is known for the River Dove and it’s impressive limestone ravines, but the most iconic part of a trip to Dovedale has to be the picturesque stepping stones…
Business Directory Ilam Park
Part of the National Trust in the Peak District, Ilam Park is a family friendly destination and open year round.
Ilam
Ilam (eye-lamb) nestles beside the River Manifold in the Staffordshire Peak District among limestone hills. It sits in the Peak District National Park on the Staffordshire border with Derbyshire, close to the famous Dovedale valley.
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