Known as the “Gateway to the Peak District,” Ashbourne is a handsome market town located 21 miles from Buxton and has a rich history dating back to medieval times. The town’s skyline is dominated by the elegant 212-foot spire of St. Oswald’s Church, a masterpiece of early English Gothic architecture housing notable monuments and tombs. The town centre boasts over 200 listed buildings, many from the Georgian era when Ashbourne became a fashionable staging post on the London to Manchester route.
Ashbourne’s wide cobbled marketplace and winding streets are perfect for leisurely exploration, offering a treasure trove of antique shops, art galleries, and independent boutiques. Traditional pubs and tearooms provide welcome refreshment, many serving local specialties including Ashbourne gingerbread.
Perhaps Ashbourne’s most famous claim to fame is its annual Royal Shrovetide Football match, held on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. This historic game, with origins dating back to at least the 12th century, involves hundreds of participants and virtually no rules as two teams attempt to score goals three miles apart.
Beyond the town, Ashbourne is perfectly placed for exploring Dovedale, with its famous stepping stones across the River Dove, and the Tissington Trail, a traffic-free cycling and walking route. Approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Buxton, the former railway line, begins at Ashbourne and stretches 13 miles north to Parsley Hay, offering spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. Approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Buxton, Ashbourne combines historic charm with a strategic location for exploring the southern Peak District.
