Summary
An ancient market town characterized by cobblestone streets and elegant Georgian residences, Ashbourne is located just one mile from the southern border of the Peak District National Park.
This optimal location allows for easy access to the stunning scenery of the southern White Peak, noted for its verdant landscapes and impressive limestone formations.
The Dovedale area, featuring its grass-covered ravines, is truly picturesque and, like many parts of the surrounding countryside, is preserved by the National Trust.
Cyclists will find a direct route into the national park via the Tissington Trail, with bike rental facilities available at both trailheads.
Additionally, there is much to appreciate in Ashbourne itself, which boasts numerous listed buildings extending back to the Tudor era, alongside unique local traditions and two outdoor markets operating weekly.
Let us explore the top attractions in Ashbourne:
1. Peak District
Ashbourne is positioned at the southern boundary of the UK’s inaugural national park, the Peak District, established in 1951. Unlike the northern regions characterized by gritstone moors, the central and southern areas comprise rolling limestone plateaus interspersed with dramatic limestone dales.
Dovedale, known for its breathtaking beauty, is mere minutes away from Ashbourne and will be discussed in greater detail shortly.
The expansive grasslands are utilized primarily for grazing livestock, and throughout your walks, you will often encounter sheep and cattle, with each pasture separated by charming dry-stone walls.
From Ashbourne, you can embark on the Tissington Trail or a footpath leading to the village of Thorpe, which connects with the 46-mile Limestone Way traversing the White Peak.
A particularly stunning route nearby is the Manifold Way, located just eight miles from Ashbourne. This trail guides you through the magnificent Manifold Valley via Thor’s Cave, a karst formation perched high above the valley floor.
2. Dovedale
Stretching three miles from Milldale to Thorpe Cloud, this valley sculpted by the River Dove is a showcase of extraordinary natural beauty and numerous intricate details waiting to be discovered.
The wooded gorge at the southern end features the most photographed landmark: a series of stepping stones crossing the river, framed by sheer limestone cliffs, which serves as the starting point for your expedition.
The valley is home to ancient ash woodlands, summer grassland richly adorned with wildflowers, as well as many fascinating limestone formations.
Lover’s Leap provides a viewpoint accessed via steps constructed by Italian prisoners of war during WWII, while the Viator’s Bridge is a quaint packhorse bridge characterized by a narrow crossing originally lacking walls to facilitate the passage of horses carrying goods.
3. Thorpe Cloud
At the southern end of Dovedale, this prominent steep hill situated between Ilam and Thorpe is impossible to overlook.
For those seeking a more challenging trek beyond the stepping stones, this 287-meter peak offers a rewarding ascent.
The journey to the summit is swift, yet the slopes can be steep, necessitating proper footwear and caution on the descent.
This section of the dale is sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland,” aptly reflecting the rugged terrain.
The effort to climb is rewarded with stunning views along the high slopes of the dale, providing a vista of the Midland Plain to the south.
4. Ilam Park
Located alongside the River Manifold, Ilam Park, managed by the National Trust, boasts breathtaking views of Dovedale.
This expansive 158-acre estate was once part of Ilam Hall, featuring formal Italian gardens, serene riverside walks, and a cozy tearoom garden.
The history of Ilam Hall dates back to the 1500s, though it underwent a complete reconstruction in the 1820s.
By the 1930s, the mansion was slated for demolition, but it was saved midway when acquired by Sir Robert McDougal for the National Trust, under the condition it be transformed into a youth hostel, a role it continues to fulfill today. Upon entering the park, visitors can collect a leaflet detailing a one-mile circular trail adjacent to the hall and along the river.
Be sure to visit the tearoom, which offers local delicacies such as Derbyshire tealoaf and oatcakes.
5. Sudbury Hall
Recognized as one of the premier Restoration mansions in the UK, Sudbury Hall was designed to highlight the exquisite craftsmanship of late-17th century architecture.
During your visit, you will be captivated by the intricate ornamental plasterwork and ceiling paintings.
The highlight of the property is the remarkable 51-meter Long Gallery, an unusual feature for a residence from the era of Charles II. This area showcases exceptional plasterwork, with designated spots where visitors can recline to fully appreciate the ceiling’s beauty.
More splendid plasterwork can be viewed on the Great Staircase, while the Drawing Room is adorned with exquisite wood carvings by the master craftsman Grinling Gibbons.
The Victorian servants’ wing houses the National Trust Museum of Childhood, featuring an impressive collection of antique toys and a Victorian schoolroom.
Visitors will be reminded of the brevity of childhood during earlier times as they explore a mine and climb a chimney.
6. Sights around Town
While Ashbourne serves as an excellent gateway to the White Peak and various local National Trust attractions, it is also worthwhile to dedicate some time to exploring the town itself.
There are over 200 listed buildings within the town, ranging from historic coaching inns to refined townhouses and repurposed almshouses.
One remarkable structure to admire from the exterior is the Old Grammar School (1603), an exquisite Elizabethan edifice saved from demolition by the Derbyshire Archaeological Society, which now serves as private residences.
The most distinguished of Ashbourne’s townhouses is known as the “Mansion” on Church Street.
Completed in 1685, this building features a Georgian facade and was frequented during much of the 18th century by the esteemed scholar Dr. Samuel Johnson.
7. St Oswald’s Church
Ashbourne is home to a captivating parish church with a 65-meter spire, which George Eliot praised as the “finest single spire in England.” This church was consecrated in 1241, and remarkably, a brass panel commemorating this date can still be found.
This dedication, inscribed in Latin by Hugh de Pateshull, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, is located in the chapel on the southern side of the building.
The north and south transepts feature chapels dedicated to prominent local families.
Within the north transept, visitors will find the poignant Boothby monument, carved from Carrara marble in the 18th century by sculptor Thomas Banks, commemorating Penelope Boothby, who passed away in childhood.
The church is adorned with splendid stained glass created by notable Victorian and Edwardian artists, including Charles Eamer Kempe and Christopher Whall.
8. Carsington Water
A lively venue during the summer months, Carsington Water encompasses a 35,412-megalitre reservoir sourced from the River Derwent.
This reservoir was under construction for over two decades and was ultimately inaugurated by Elizabeth II in 1992. For visitors, the primary attraction will be Carsington Sport and Leisure, which offers rentals for kayaks, canoes, windsurfers, sailing dinghies, rowboats, and bicycles for navigating the circular trail.
This route leads past a bird-hide, allowing for opportunities to observe waterfowl and wading birds such as little grebes, common redshanks, and Eurasian oystercatchers.
Carsington Water also features a visitor center with a shop and a café that boasts a spacious terrace offering restorative views of the lake.
9. Tissington Trail
For those without a vehicle, the most accessible route into the Peak District from Ashbourne is the 13-mile cycle trail, footpath, and bridleway beginning at the fringe of the town.
This trail follows the path of a railway that historically connected Ashbourne to Buxton but was decommissioned in the 1960s.
There are some challenging gradients, especially at the trail’s start, where a removed viaduct creates steep inclines of 1:9. However, the effort is rewarded with stunning vistas, particularly further north towards the trailhead at Parsley Hay.
Cycle rentals and service stations are available at both trailheads, and an old signal box in Hartington now serves as an information center, open on weekends and bank holidays.
10. Ashbourne Tunnel
A journey along the Tissington Trail commences in a memorable fashion at the 350-meter Ashbourne Tunnel.
This recent addition to the route was acquired and renovated by Sustrans, the sustainable transport organization, following the trail’s establishment.
Conveniently located near the former train station, the tunnel guides you through much of your ride without the need to navigate traffic.
The tunnel is well-lit, and its surface has been refitted to accommodate bicycles.
An interesting feature of the tunnel is the sound system, which occasionally reproduces the sounds of an approaching train.
11. Burrows Gardens
These exquisite and diverse gardens are located just outside of Brailsford, approximately 7 miles southeast of Ashbourne.
A personal endeavor of gardener Craig Dalton, Burrows Gardens is open to the public on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from April to August, as well as on select days for the National Garden Scheme.
Spanning five acres, these gardens feature a stunning variety of styles, including Italian, English, and Cornish, each within secluded “rooms” and enhanced by rare plants.
A particularly enchanting area is the Roman temple garden, which is characterized by an all-white planting scheme and a reflecting pool.
Throughout Burrows Gardens, you’ll encounter statuary, wrought iron, urns, and fountains in delightful and unexpected locations.
12. Ashbourne Recreation Ground
Adjacent to open fields to the east of Ashbourne’s town center, the Recreation Ground provides an opportunity for physical activity and relaxation without straying far from the town’s conveniences.
The formal gardens located closest to the center off Cokayne Avenue and Park Road are ornately planted in memory of the town’s war dead and include a statue of Catherine Booth, a co-founder of the Salvation Army who was born in this town.
A charming bandstand occupies the center of these gardens, while the area becomes more natural towards the east where you can cross Henmore Brook to discover the Fishpond Meadow.
In recent years, the park has benefited from investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund, resulting in the addition of exciting new play areas for children.
13. The Old Manor
This National Trust property, the Old Manor, can be found in Norbury, six miles southwest of Ashbourne.
The site is accessible to visitors on Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons during the summer months.
Featuring a Medieval Hall dating back to the 1200s, the hall boasts a rare king post beam, a Tudor door, a Medieval fireplace, and 16th-century Flemish stained glass depicting various months and agricultural activities.
The Medieval Hall shares the site with a fine Tudor house that originated in the 15th century but underwent a Restoration redesign in 1680. The outdoor area features an orderly Tudor-style parterre herb garden.
14. Royal Shrovetide Football
This long-standing annual event, whose origins date back to at least 1667, features a two-day football match held on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.
In this historical recreation, one half of the town competes against the other, involving several thousand participants.
The goals are placed three miles apart, with two teams, the “Up’ards” and the “Down’ards,” competing over two eight-hour sessions.
The ball is crafted from cork and hand-painted, and the match turns the streets and open spaces of Ashbourne into a bustling arena.
Although the event is played in good spirits, there were attempts to prohibit it until the late 1800s.
15. Ashbourne Market
For a touch of local charm, Ashbourne hosts two weekly outdoor markets.
The Thursday market is situated on Shrovetide Walk, between the Library and Waitrose, while the Saturday market takes place amidst the scenic cobblestone Market Place.
The town received its market charter in 1257, with traditions best represented on Saturdays when nearly all stalls are filled.
Visitors can explore a variety of offerings including flowers, clothing, fresh fruits and vegetables, crafts, yarn, homemade sauces, toys, and jewelry.
