Holiday rentals in Ashbourne

Independent stores and antiques shops mark the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne as an unusually cosmopolitan enclave amid the craggy limestone landscapes of the southern Pennines. Lying on the southern edge of Peak District National Park, it’s considered the gateway to the Dovedale Valley, admired for its picturesque stepping stones crossing the River Dove. As such, it’s the perfect base for outdoor adventuring — yet its urban draws shouldn’t be overlooked. An appealing mishmash of historic buildings lend character, from 17th-century almshouses and old coaching inns to Georgian townhouses. Many are now occupied by contemporary coffee shops and delis. High-spired St. Oswald’s Church dates back to the 13th century, as does the market, which continues to burst into life twice weekly. What’s more, Derbyshire’s finest stately homes, including Hardwick Hall, Sudbury Hall, and opulent Chatsworth House, are all within easy reach.

As it’s close to so many cities, the Peak District gets busy every sunny weekend of the year. Ashbourne, being a little off-radar, doesn’t get too swamped, but ideally you’d avoid booking cottages during school summer holidays, when hordes descend on popular spots. Springtime is lovely, especially May, when the ancient Derbyshire tradition of well dressing sees village wells decorated with pictures made of flower petals. Come in February for Shrove Tuesday and you’ll be treated to a taste of local culture like no other, as the whole town explodes into action for the Royal Shrovetide Football Match. This two-day event has been held annually for centuries, with thousands taking part. The game pits one half of the town (the Up’ards) against the other (the Down’ards), with the goals spaced 4.8 kilometres apart.

Tissington Trail

Whether you run, walk, or cycle it, this 21-kilometre path is great for getting some fresh air. From the former railway station at Ashbourne, it travels first through a 600-metre Victorian tunnel and runs north into the gorgeous Derbyshire Dales, following the old track bed of a long-gone railway line that linked the town to Buxton. The mainly flat route ends at Parsley Hay, where it connects to the 27-kilometre High Peak Trail.

Ashbourne Gingerbread

A sense of the town’s long history is not only tangible, but edible. Be sure to try a nibble of the local gingerbread, made here since the Napoleonic Wars when a French prisoner of war apparently passed the recipe to a local baker. The original timber-framed gingerbread shop can still be seen on St. John Street.

Rural villages

A few kilometres north are some splendid rural villages, including Tissington, where pretty stone cottages huddle around a Jacobean manor; Ilam, on the River Manifold and home to the National Trust’s Ilam Hall; and sleepy Parwich, backed by limestone hills.