St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne

Dedicated to St Oswald, a 7th-century King of Northumbria who championed Celtic Christianity, the church has roots stretching back before the Normans arrived in 1066. It was officially consecrated in 1241 by Hugh de Patishul, yet signs of Christian worship on this site go back even further.

Inside, visitors are treated to an array of artistic and historical treasures. The stained-glass windows showcase work by Charles 'Wheatsheaf' Kemp, Hardman of Birmingham, who also installed the oldest glass in the building, five medieval roundels dating back to the consecration in 1241, into Victorian grisaille surrounds. Another highlight is the vibrant Pre-Raphaelite-style window by Christopher Whall, dedicated in 1905 to sisters Monica and Dorothea Turnbull. The current appearance of the Chancel owes much to a sensitive 19th-century restoration by Sir Gilbert Scott in 1876.

The Boothby Chapel offers further insight into local heritage. It features the impressive tomb of Thomas Cokayne (d. 1592), founder of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, and several elaborately carved monuments of the Cokayne, Bradbourne, Kniveton, and Boothby families. At its heart lies the poignant white marble tomb of five-year-old Penelope Boothby, sculpted by Thomas Banks. Depicting the child in serene sleep, it remains one of the most famous pieces of funerary art in England.

Whether you’re drawn by its history, beauty, spiritual, or peaceful atmosphere, St Oswald’s offers a memorable and moving experience. Everyone is welcome! And if you’re nearby on a Sunday morning, listen for the bells – they ring out joyfully across Ashbourne.

Getting here
Regular bus services from the surrounding area to Ashbourne - Matlock: 110 & 111, Derby: 114, Belper: 113, Buxton: 442, 441, 108

What’s nearby to see and do
Ashbourne itself has one of the finest examples of Georgian buildings in the country

• Memorial gardens with bandstand
• Numerous cafes and eateries
• Traditional estate villages nearby
• The Tissington Trail
• Carsington Water Reservoir

Did you know?
St Oswald’s Church is “Widely said to be Derbyshire’s finest parish church, and a contender for one of the best churches in England” (National Churches Trust 2025)