Ashbourne

The picturesque town of Ashbourne is known as the Gateway to the Peak District, and it’s certainly the perfect base from which to explore the spectacular White Peak countryside. The town itself has lots to offer the visitor too, with beautiful architecture, plenty of independent shops and lovely cafés.

The History of Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a town steeped in history. The magnificent St Oswald’s Church dates from around 1220 and its towering spire can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the town, standing at 215ft tall.

Ashbourne was granted a charter for a market in 1257 and a market still takes place twice a week in the quaint cobbled town centre.

Evidence of the town’s history is literally around every corner, with a wealth of beautiful, ancient buildings lining the narrow streets.

The Old Grammar School is well worth stopping to admire. It was founded in 1585, after a group of townspeople convinced Queen Elizabeth I of the need for an educational establishment in the town, and it remained in use for over 300 years, with boys aged 6-9 years receiving lessons there until 1903.

There are also a number of picturesque 17th and 18th Century almshouses throughout Ashbourne, including Owlfield’s Almshouses, Pegg’s Almshouses and Spalden’s Almshouses.

During the Georgian period the town was a popular stopover point for travellers, with no fewer than six main coaching routes converging here. As a result, you’ll find many fine Georgian houses and coaching inns here, the most famous of which was probably the Green Man Royal Hotel, built in the 1750s. As well as providing the hungry coach travellers with food and ale, it also served as the local Magistrates and County Court. The rare ‘gallows’ sign for the inn still stretches over St John’s Road.

Ashbourne Today

Ashbourne today is a vibrant town with plenty of interesting shops to browse around, as well as a great collection of cafés and pubs to refresh visitors afterwards. The Memorial Gardens on the edge of the town, complete with stream and duck pond, provide the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle or enjoy a picnic.

Royal Shrovetide Football

Ashbourne is famed throughout the Peak District, and indeed the whole country, for the ancient tradition of Royal Shrovetide Football. Bearing little resemblance to actual football, this is a game played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in February, involving hundreds of players, where one half of the town plays the other half. The goals are 3 miles apart and the large ball – which is traditionally painted by local craftspeople – can be kicked, carried or thrown through the streets.

Out and About near Ashbourne

As pretty as the town is, part of its beauty undoubtedly lies in its spectacular location. It is situated on the southern edge of the Peak District National Park amid the rolling hills of the White Peak, very close to the stunning area of Dovedale and the very pretty village of Ilam, both of which should feature on the itinerary of any visitor to the town.

Outdoor enthusiasts will also love the fact that the Tissington Trail starts on the northern edge of the town. A former railway line, the 13 mile long trail stretches from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, taking in some of the most spectacular White Peak countryside along the way. It is hugely popular with walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, and rightly so.

Another treat for walkers is the Limestone Way, which passes very close to Ashbourne. This challenging 46 mile long trail starts in Rocester and ends in Castleton, passing through a collection of truly beautiful Peak District villages.