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
Sandybrook Lodges
Sandybrook Lodges provide luxury self catering lodges (some with hot tubs) on our 5 star holiday park. With just 53 lodges Sandybrook is a small…
Open today: 8:30am - 8:00pm
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…
Open today: 8:30am - 8:00pm
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…
Open today: 8:30am - 8:00pm
In The Area
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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
Oaklands Country Lodges
Three beautifully styled and smartly furnished timber lodges surrounded by an acre of peaceful landscaped grounds with a wildlife pond and fine…
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
Sandybrook Lodges
Sandybrook Lodges provide luxury self catering lodges (some with hot tubs) on our 5 star holiday park. With just 53 lodges Sandybrook is a small…
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…
Business
Ash Tree Cottage
Ash Tree Cottage is a single storey holiday let, renovated to a high standard, keeping all orginal features. It's ideally positioned to the village…
Business
New Hanson Grange Holidays
Our hill farm is beautifully situated above the River Dove near Milldale in the heart of the Peak District. Two traditional huts nestled on the edge…
Business
Dovedale Manor & The Coach House
Dovedale Manor is a 13 bed all ensuite property for up to 37 guests situated in Tissington Village at the gateway to Dovedale National Park. The…
Business
Waterside Barn
Waterside Barn is a beautifully restored and refurbished stone cottage located between Tissington village and Bradbourne. Sleeping up to 10 guests,…
Business
The Lighthouse Restaurant
Fine dining in a relaxed environment where stunning food & attentive service is at the heart. A tasting menu, entirely dictated by the seasons…
Business
Tissington Hall
From open days and family tours to special events and weddings, there is always something happening at Tissington Hall.
Business
Ashbourne Historical Centre & Visitor Information…
Let us make your visit to the town and the surrounding area a memorable one by popping into the Ashbourne Historical Centre & Visitor Information…
Events in Ashbourne
Events
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Ilam Park
Enjoy a traditional English breakfast in the tea-room with your family and meet our special guest, Father Christmas! National Trust Ilam Park Winter…
Events
Natural Scented Candle Workshop in partnership…
Lit, are hosting a Natural Candle Workshop at Wildhive Callow Hall with two course lunch in the Garden Room
Events
Christmas Candlemaking & Lunch at Wildhive
Join us at Wildhive Callow Hall for a festive scented candle making workshop and two-course lunch.
Trails nearby
The Pennine Bridleway
The Pennine Bridleway is a 205 miles (330 Km) long National Trail running through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria.
Heritage Highlights of Ashbourne Walk
This easy circular walk takes in the heritage highlights of Ashbourne in less than 2 miles, walking on well-made paths, streets and lanes, with no…
Hartington - The Dales of the River Dove Walk
This beautiful walk starts and ends in the pretty Peak District village of Hartington and takes you beside the sparkling River Dove through some of…
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.
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.
Offers
Special Offer
Wildhive Callow Hall ~ New Year Wellbeing Stay…
Book during the month of November 2023 for a stay in January or February 2024 and receive a FREE massage for two.
Special Offer
Wildhive Callow Hall ~ Pol Roger Dinner
Join the entertaining George Prideaux for dinner in the Dovedale Room with carefully curated wine pairings.
Special Offer
Wildhive Callow Hall ~ New Year Stay (31st Dec -…
Gather together friends and family at Wildhive Callow Hall for the most relaxed and fun-filled New Year celebration in this beautiful Victorian…
Special Offer
Wildhive Callow Hall ~ Christmas Stay (24th-27th…
Gather together friends and family at Wildhive Callow Hall for the most relaxed and cosy Christmas celebration in this beautiful Victorian country…
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