Ashbourne: A charming market town at the edge of the Peak District

21/03/23

On the edge of the southern border of the Peak District sits the picturesque town of Ashbourne. Steeped in over 1,000 years of history, Ashbourne’s distinct winding cobbled streets and beautiful Tudor and Georgian listed buildings make it one of country’s most splendid towns, situated at the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.

This is a popular visitor destination and a desirable location to live, whether you’re looking to be close to nature, raise a family, or have a good work-life balance. Ashbourne is home to a great community and offers a tremendous quality of life with access to picturesque outdoor attractions, excellent transportation links, superb amenities, “good” education and modern infrastructure.

It’s hardly a surprise then that the town was voted the best place in Britain to raise a family, according to a recent study by a national online property firm[1]. The study, which takes into account schools, crime, pollution levels, job prospects, pupils-per-class ratios, and access to well-rated GPs, places Ashbourne on the top 10 list above Surrey’s Walton-on-Thames and the historic Victorian spa town of Harrogate, in the heart of Yorkshire – which were second and third respectively.

A town to treasure

Also known as ‘The Gateway to Dovedale’, the market town of Ashbourne is situated 14 miles west of Derby. Here you’ll find a traditional weekly open-air marketplace, which can be traced back to the 13^th century[2], and over 200 listed, well-preserved buildings[3], of which 11 are Grade I or Grade II.

It’s a place frozen in time with rich history and traditions, which was once a popular stopover for travellers during the Georgian period. Six coaching routes passed through Ashbourne, including one of the main London to Manchester routes, bringing in travellers and merchants from all corners of the country. Today its fascinating architecture and well-made paths and lanes remind visitors of Ashbourne’s rich heritage dating back to the 11^th century.

Ashbourne is ideal for a leisurely walk on a sunny afternoon to explore its roots and immerse yourself in its fascinating history. The town’s famous 2-mile circular walk will take you through some of its key attractions, including the Grade I listed Old Grammar School; the 'longest inn sign in the world' outside The Greenman pub and restaurant; and the beautiful St. Oswald's Parish Church with its striking 212 feet high spire, which has served as a beautiful focal point for the town for over seven centuries.

The Mansion, one of Ashbourne’s largest and most imposing gentleman’s townhouses, originally built in the 1680s, is another great attraction worth seeing which gathers millions of visitors each year[4].

More attractions in the local area outside of Ashbourne include Chatsworth House, a historic home, with an impressive art and sculpture collection, 105-acre garden, stables shop and restaurants serving delicious, freshly made food.

Food and shopping paradise

Boutique, speciality shops, small, family-run businesses, antique stores, and designer fashion retailers line the cobbled streets of Ashbourne, renowned for its eclectic mix of specialty shops. If you take special interest in ladies’ fashion, jewellery, antiques and home interiors, here you’ll find a selection of specially curated pieces to complement your style and help you stand out from the crowd.

The town prides itself on the famous Ashbourne Gingerbread, which legend has it, was acquired from French prisoners of war who were kept in the town during the Napoleonic wars dating back to the late 18^th and early 19^th century. Today foodies from all over the country and even visitors from abroad can visit the timber-framed Gingerbread Shop - now a Birds Bakery and try the Original Ashbourne Gingerbread.

As one of the main towns in the Peak District, a hugely popular tourist attraction, Ashbourne benefits from being a short drive away from a melting pot of restaurants and fine dining spots. From casual breakfast places, to hidden local gems, traditional pubs and world-class dining venues, here you’ll find everything you need and more to make a weekend away truly special and get to know the local area. For the more special of occasions some of Ashbourne’s nearby towns and villages offer a mix of memorable fine dining experiences with stunning, freshly made food from seasonal ingredients.

The town is also home to an array of supermarkets, local fish and chip shops and a great selection of cafes, inns and tea rooms frequented by locals and tourists alike throughout the year.

Nature spots and the great outdoors

Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, cycling, water sports or horse riding – the area is an ideal place to stay active, explore the local scenery and spend time outdoors on your own or with family and friends. Here you’ll never be short of places to visit.

A popular place among tourists and residents is the traffic-free Tissington Trail, which starts from Ashbourne, and acts as a green gateway to Dovedale and the Pennine Bridleway, linking up further north with the popular High Peak Trail.

The Pennine Bridleway is a 205-mile long National Trail running through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria.

For those looking for an easier challenge, the Peak District National Park has 147 family-friendly hiking trails which crisscross the 555-square-mile park.

Living in Ashbourne you’ll only be a stone’s throw from Dovedale, a renowned must-see National Trust beauty spot, known for the River Dove and its impressive limestone ravines.

View The Heights of Abraham in the Peak District from the sky by taking a cable car and enjoy the wonders of this enormous hilltop park with daily cavern tours, easy-to-access walking trails, fossil exhibitions and local cafe at over 554 feet height.

If you’re a water sports fan, Carsington Sports and Leisure Activity Centre is situated just 6 miles from Ashbourne and offers a range of activities on one of the UK's largest reservoirs, including windsurfing, sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking. Hire a cycle or a rowing boat or enjoy fly fishing from a boat at this scenic spot perfect for a weekend retreat.

Connectivity and transportation links

Ashbourne enjoys great transportation links with easy access to the A52, which make it less than a 30-minute drive away from Derby. The spa town of Buxton lies less than 20 miles north of Ashbourne on the A515 and should you wish to venture further northeast, Matlock, the county town of Derbyshire, is within a short commutable distance. Ashbourne has access to some of the main metropolitan cities, Manchester and Sheffield, both of which are just over an hour’s drive away. Within a similar distance, but south of the town lies England’s second city, Birmingham, with growing work, entertainment and shopping opportunities, the majority of which can be found in Bullring Shopping Centre which houses over 160 famous shops.

Having fun made easy

For those who enjoy camping, or perhaps even “glamping”, the area surrounding Ashbourne is home to a wide variety of cycle-friendly, family-friendly, and dog-friendly holiday parks.

One such popular holiday park within walking distance of Ashbourne is the award-winning family campsite and caravan park, Callow Top Holiday Park. Surrounded by open green fields, and direct access to the Tissington Trail cycle route as well as a number of footpaths, Callow Top will attract you with a swimming pool, modern play area, fishing facilities and a wide selection of delicious food and drinks.

And if camping is not your thing, here you’ll find a variety of accommodation ranging from smaller, upscale boutique hotels for an intimate, more personalised experience to luxury self-catering lodges with hot tubs and 5-star holiday parks with plenty to do and unwind.

The accommodation aside, nothing will impress your children more than taking them to a fun-filled theme park. Thankfully Gulliver’s Kingdom and Alton Towers are conveniently located just a-20-minute drive away each from Ashbourne. Situated in the Derbyshire town of Matlock Bath, Gulliver’s Kingdom is an established theme park aimed at children aged 3-13 and home to an array of thrilling rides and attractions.

The Alton Towers theme park and resort hardly needs an introduction. Estimated to attract almost 2 million visitors[5] each year, it’s a popular destination for families in the region and promises to make a mundane afternoon a fun day to remember for the whole family.

Education

Besides its excellent infrastructure, Ashbourne benefits from established education providers, who offer quality service to families and pupils of all ages. These include Ashbourne Primary School (formerly Parkside Junior School) which cares for students from 4-11 years old, as well as Ashbourne Hilltop Primary and Nursery School suitable for children aged 3–11. The main secondary school in Ashbourne is Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, which prides itself in its rich history dating back to 1585 and the quality of education it provides today.

Live. Love. Explore.

Not many places can live up to the expectations of busy yet family-oriented professionals who seek a good work-life balance, a place to raise a family and lead a good life, but Ashbourne has it all. Its unique 1,000-year history, access to the picturesque Peak District, “good” education and healthcare facilities (the list goes on) will give you everything you need to live a healthy, balanced life, and enjoy the perks of being close to one of Derbyshire’s most popular attractions.