Ashbourne
Ashbourne is a handsome market town in Derbyshire, sitting on the southern edge of the Peak District and making an excellent base for exploring some of the finest countryside in the Midlands. It has a pleasing mixture of historic buildings, independent shops, traditional pubs and narrow streets, and unlike some of the more famous Peak District destinations, it generally retains the feel of a working town rather than a tourist attraction.The town's origins go back centuries, and its medieval street pattern is still evident in the centre. Market Place is the obvious starting point, surrounded by attractive old buildings and still very much the heart of Ashbourne. The town is particularly well known for its Georgian architecture, with elegant houses and shopfronts giving many of the streets considerable character.
Dominating the centre is St Oswald's Church, a magnificent medieval building with an impressive tower. The church dates largely from the 13th century, although parts are considerably older, and inside there are some fascinating monuments and architectural details. It is one of those buildings that is easy to walk past without appreciating quite how much history it contains.
Ashbourne has a particularly unusual annual tradition in the form of the Royal Shrovetide Football match. Played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, it is not football as most people know it. Two teams, representing the Up'ards and Down'ards sides of the town, battle to get an enormous ball to their respective goals, with the action spreading through streets, fields, rivers and just about anywhere else it happens to go. It has been played for centuries and is an extraordinary piece of living local tradition.The town is also closely associated with the Tissington Trail, which follows the route of the former railway towards the Peak District. The trail is popular with walkers and cyclists and provides an easy way of getting out into the surrounding countryside without having to tackle the more demanding Peak District roads.
Ashbourne's location is perhaps its greatest asset. Within a short distance you are into some spectacular Derbyshire scenery, with rolling hills, valleys, limestone landscapes and picturesque villages. Dovedale, with its famous stepping stones and dramatic valley, is nearby and is one of the area's great natural attractions.
Ashbourne itself is worth more than simply using as a stopping point, however. Spend a few hours wandering the centre, have a look around the historic buildings, find a traditional pub and enjoy the atmosphere of a town that has managed to retain much of its old character.
It isn't the largest or most spectacular town in Derbyshire, but Ashbourne is attractive, historic and ideally placed for exploring the Peak District. Add in one of Britain's strangest sporting traditions and you've got a town with considerably more about it than might initially meet the eye.
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