Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>From its cobbled streets to its beautiful Victorian and Georgian townhouses, Ashbourne is an idyllic White Peak town with loads of character. The annual Royal Shrovetide football match attracts international visitors every year (it’s been played since at least 1667) and the Ashbourne Festival hosts big names in literature and culture every year. The high street is bustling with indie shops, it&#8217;s mid-way through a pedestrian-friendly facelift and foodies will feel right at home with some of the best restaurants in Derbyshire on their doorstep.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room.jpg" alt="Callow Hall garden room Wildhive Callow Hall Ashbourne best places to live" class="wp-image-3593" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Callow-Hall-garden-room-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Garden Room Restaurant</figcaption></figure>



<p>Foodies rejoice. For top notch fine dining, there are a clutch of cool eateries just outside the town: the glass-fronted <a href="https://www.wildhive.uk/callow-hall/eat/the-garden-room/">Garden Ro</a><a href="https://www.wildhive.uk/callow-hall/eat/the-garden-room/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">o</a><a href="https://www.wildhive.uk/callow-hall/eat/the-garden-room/">m Restaurant</a> at <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/muddy-reviews-wildhive-callow-hall-ashbourne-derbyshire-peak-district/">Wildhive Callow Hall</a> is a stunning spot to eat with seasonal, locally-sourced food and sweeping views of the countryside and the Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.tastingclubrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tasting Club</a> in nearby Brailsford offers up seasonal set menus consisting of nine amazing courses. A short drive away, gorgeous gastropub <a href="https://www.duncombearms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Duncombe Arms,</a> <a href="https://www.the-lighthouse-restaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lighthouse Restaurant</a> and <a href="https://www.cowdalbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cow</a> in Dalbury Lees (a fantastic seafood restaurant led by Cornish head chef, Nathan Senior) are must-visits. In the heart of the town, try <a href="https://www.machineinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Machine Inn</a> or <a href="https://bgsteakhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bowling Green Steakhouse</a>, a locals&#8217; favourite – and teens will definitely want to bring their mates here. Just after drinks? Quaff a cocktail or two at Muddy Best Bar 2023, <a href="https://www.thebankashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bank</a>, or head to new indie wine bar <a href="https://www.instagram.com/couplingswinebar/?hl=en">Couplings</a> for vino, charcuterie and cheeseboards.</p>



<p>Daytime eats? You&#8217;re spoilt for choice. For coffee catch-ups try pastel-hued <a href="https://thelittleshedderbyshire.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Little Shed</a>, or nip to <a href="https://www.jackrabbitscafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack Rabbits</a> or funky newcomers <a href="https://bemorebear.co/pages/ashbourne?srsltid=AfmBOooQT9gpRPY7uYZStN0Mzb_xRvx5Y-NXGA8twieTfOIwUgtwDcVK" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bear</a> or <a href="https://poms.co.uk/venues/ashbourne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poms</a> for brunch-based delights. <a href="https://bethskitchen.co.uk/pages/cornerstone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornerstone Coffee House</a> is bright and buzzy for daytime catch-ups and hosts a monthly Friday Supper Club.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne.jpg" alt="Handmade Design shop window in Ashbourne" class="wp-image-13737" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Handmade-Design-Ashbourne-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Handmade Design</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://handmadedesignashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handmade Design</a> is perfect for homeware, accessories and lovely gifty bits. Fashion-conscious? Step this way. Ashbourne is the home of the luxury boutique <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/young-ideas-ashbourne-derby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Young Ideas</a> with a carefully curated collection of the best pieces from leading designers and excellent personal service. You’ll find timeless stylish countrywear over at sister store <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/henmores-ashbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henmores</a>, while Muddy Award-winner <a href="https://www.sacsashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sacs</a> stocks cool Scandi brands and affordable designer jewellery. <a href="https://www.chiconline.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chic</a> stocks mood-boosting, affordable brights and for some stun-<em>ning</em> lingerie, <a href="https://loulousashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lou Lous</a> stocks choice picks for you to fawn over.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Shoes galore! <a href="http://www.wigleysshoes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wigley’s Shoe Emporium</a> is an Ashbourne institution (founded in 1830) with loads of great brands. And for little feet, <a href="https://www.steppingstoneskids.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stepping Stones</a> offers a personalised fitting service.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Like your exercise in the great outdoors? You&#8217;re spoilt for choice here, with the 13-mile cycle path The Tissington Trail starting in the town and iconic Peak walks, like Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale, moments away. Ashbourne leisure centre has a swimming pool, classes and sports hall. <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/dove-retreat-ashbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dove Retreat </a>runs bespoke reiki and coaching with workshops, taster evenings and bespoke one-to-ones making it a great place to press pause. Boutique retreat Wildhive at Callow Hall also has a fab <a href="https://wildhive.uk/callow-hall/the-coach-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wellbeing hub</a> where you can book <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/review-sound-journey-with-sarah-sims-ashbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound journeys</a>, Barre classes and more. Need a new &#8216;do&#8217; or a bit of a glow up? Muddy Award winning Hairdresser and Beauty Salon <a href="https://theloungeashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lounge</a> is the place to go. <a href="https://sallymontague.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sally Montague</a> is a gorgeous spot for salon style (hair and beauty as well as the odd exercise class) too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Ashbourne is a town that loves its traditions. Shop owners begin boarding up their windows about a week before pancake day, not in fear of rough flippers but ahead of the annual&nbsp;<a href="http://ourashbourne.co.uk/event/ashbourne-royal-shrovetide-football-game" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Shrovetide</a>&nbsp;football match between the Up’Ards and the Down’Ards. This wild, town-sized game of footie has taken place on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday since 1667, and it attracts a massive crowd every year. For a splash more culture, the&nbsp;<a href="https://ashbournefestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashbourne Festival</a>&nbsp;brings some big names to the town over June and July every year. From street performers to literary talks, there’s loads to get stuck into. In August, there&#8217;s country fair, the <a href="https://ashbourneshow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashbourne Show</a>, plus a magical Christmas Lantern Spectacular in December. A new £4.9m &#8216;community hub&#8217; is on the horizon, with meeting spaces and a riverside garden. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/Dovedale-NT-by-John-Millar.jpg" alt="Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale Peak District Ashbourne Best Place to Live" class="wp-image-4780" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/Dovedale-NT-by-John-Millar.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/Dovedale-NT-by-John-Millar-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/Dovedale-NT-by-John-Millar-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/Dovedale-NT-by-John-Millar-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale stepping stones / NT Images by John Millar</figcaption></figure>



<p>Ashbourne is known as one of the gateways to the Peak District so you’ve got an entire national park on your doorstep. The 13-mile long Tissington Trail starts in the town and runs right the way through the Peaks to Buxton. Brilliant for flat(ish) family-friendly bike rides, you can cycle the full traffic-free route passing old signal boxes (the route is a former railway line), the stunning Tissington Hall and the edge of Dovedale. There are gorgeous walks on the doorstep too, with easy hikes up Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill near Dovedale just outside the town. Thrill-seekers can head to <a href="https://www.altontowers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alton Towers</a> (a 20 min drive away) or for watersports adventure, <a href="https://www.carsingtonwater.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carsington Water</a> which offers kayaking, windsurfing and paddleboarding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Elegant art deco cinema and Muddy Award winner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elitecinemaandtheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elite Cinema</a>&nbsp;is a boutique cinema that&#8217;s a hit with film afficionados. Art gallery <a href="https://courtneygallery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Courtney Gallery</a> is home to one of the areas biggest selections of &nbsp;contemporary art and <a href="https://taureanarts.co.uk/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taurean Arts</a> is great for ceramics and sculptures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties in Ashbourne averaged £304,138 over the last year, 4% up on the previous year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/ashbourne-house.jpg" alt="This vast barn conversion is made for open-plan living. Yours for £900,000." class="wp-image-8522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/ashbourne-house.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/ashbourne-house-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/ashbourne-house-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This vast barn conversion is made for open-plan living. <a href="https://bennetsamways.co.uk/listings/residential_sale-RX196557-ashbourne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £855,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>For little ones, there are a few nursery choices. <a href="https://www.parkgatenursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkgate Nursery</a><strong> </strong>and <a href="http://www.stoswaldsladybirds-ashbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Oswald’s Ladybirds Pre-school</a> were both rated ‘Good’ last year, as was <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/ashbourne-derbyrd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Busy Bees Ashbourne</a> the year before under its previous branding as Treetops Ashbourne. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>For primary schools, <a href="https://www.ashbourneprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashbourne Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.clifton.derbyshire.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clifton C of E Primary School</a> are both Ofsted rated Good. <a href="https://www.osmastonprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osmaston C of E (VC) Primary School</a> was rated Good in 2024 (with outstanding behaviour and personal development). Teens will have the choice between the very popular <a href="https://www.queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School</a> (that’s QUEGS to the locals) and <a href="https://jcb-academy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The JCB Academy</a> for ages 14&nbsp;– 19 yrs, which specialises in supporting students with an interest in business or engineering. Both have been rated Good in recent years.<br><br>If it’s private schools you’re after, <a href="https://www.abbotsholme.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbotsholme School</a> is a boarding and day all-through school about 20 mins drive away. You can find the most recent reports <a href="https://www.isi.net/school/abbotsholme-school-6179">here</a>. And <a href="https://www.denstonecollege.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denstone College and The Prep at Denstone College</a> (which have recently merged) are a similar distance away. The full reports are <a href="https://www.isi.net/school/denstone-college-6390" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Fancy throwing a pot but without the pressure? The Clayrooms in Ashbourne hosts a super fun <a href="https://www.theclayrooms.co.uk/find-and-book" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pottery at the Pub</a> session for newbie potters. The price includes all of your materials and your first drink, and if you’re particularly fond of your creation, they’ll finish and fire it for you too. The sessions move from pub-to-pub so check in advance when you book. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Derby is your nearest city about half an hour’s drive away. The bus takes about the same for teens who want to nip to the shops. Nottingham is just under 1 hr away, while Manchester is about an 30 mins drive if you fancy a trip to the Arndale. Heading to the capital? It’s about an 90 mins on the train from Derby station.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>


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