Ashbourne Town

Ashbourne is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is an ideal base for a short break or longer holiday.

If you enjoy stately homes, you are in for a treat with Chatsworth, Sudbury Hall, Hardwick Hall, Kedleston Hall, Tissington Hall just to name a few within easy drive from Ashbourne.

If excitement is more your idea of spending a day then you can’t beat Alton Towers and Gullivers Kingdom .

Fresh air and exercise ~ there are miles of way marked footpaths to explore and traffic free and family friendly cycle routes along former railway lines. Ashbourne is perfectly located to appeal to all sorts of cyclists: those who love the hills and the dales and those who prefer the more level terrain.

Little has changed in Ashbourne since the 18th Century and it is one of Derbyshire’s finest old market towns, combining a medieval street pattern and historic buildings with a wealth of high quality shops. The cobbled market place, hidden alleys and yards are a delight to explore, and the wide and elegant Church Street is considered to be the finest street of Georgian buildings in Derbyshire.

Many important and famous people have coloured the history of Ashbourne including Dr. Samuel Johnson, James Boswell, Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), Izaak Walton, Thomas Moore and George Eliot. Princess Victoria (later to be Queen Victoria) passed through the town in 1832 and took a ‘comfort break’ at the Green Man.

Ashbourne is home to the famous annual Shrovetide football game which has received Royal recognition by two Princes of Wales. The ball was ‘turned up’ by Prince Edward in 1928 and by Prince Charles in 2003.

Ashbourne became a busy and fashionable social centre for the wealthy during the Georgian period, with six coaching roads meeting here, including the route from London to Carlisle. The legacy of over 200 listed buildings, fine coaching inns and mellow town houses combine to create a unique atmosphere. Lying in a lovely green valley on the southern edge of the Peak District, the town attracts many visitors who come to enjoy a scene which has changed little in appearance since the 18th century. When visiting Ashbourne Why not stay at Paddock House Farm Holiday Cottages which offer a choice of 6 Ashbourne Self Catering Holiday Cottages.

Couple walking along the street in Ashbourne in Derbyshire.