Ashbourne guidebook

In Ashbourne, everyone knows everyone. It's not that they're nosey. Just very, very friendly.

Small enough to feel like a village, big enough to be a busy, bustling market town, Ashbourne is a huge draw for families who want quaintness, history, and quality living.

It's only got 7,500 inhabitants, but this picture postcard market town on the edge of the Peak district is growing fast, with new housing developments and a 21st century retail park, also featuring starter homes, among the recent arrivals.
 
It's one of Derbyshire's finest old market towns, mixing medieval streets and historic buildings with a wealth of high quality, often olde worlde, shops, great restaurants and pubs.

Most famous for its crazy two day Shrove 'football' match which sweeps through the whole town, it's home to gingerbread, tea shops, lovely old houses and stacks of antique shops, putting sleepy Ashbourne high on most people's 'would want to live' places.

Although it's close enough to commute to Derby, you do need a car to get anywhere.

Tourist Town

Ashbourne is developing itself as a quality tourist town.

It has an arts festival, which now embraces more than 40 events and exhibitions over 17 days, and the July Gathering is one of the biggest highland games outside of Scotland, with caber throwing, dancing, and of course, pipe bands from everywhere!

Lying in a lovely green valley on the southern edge of the Peak District, Ashbourne pulls in thousands of visitors who come to enjoy a town that's changed little in appearance since the 18th century.

The legacy of more than 200 listed buildings, fine coaching inns and mellow town houses, combine to create a unique atmosphere, and the cobbled market place, hidden alleys and yards are a delight to explore.

Wide and elegant Church Street is considered to have the finest Georgian buildings in Derbyshire; George Eliot even used it as a model for the fictional town of Oakbourne in the novel 'Adam Bede'.

Behind the Green Man and Black's Head pub, renowned for its hanging gibbet across the main shopping road, is Shaw Croft car park where the 'kick-off' takes place for the annual Royal Shrovetide football match.

This two day event, where one half of the town plays the other, is really an excuse for a good old-fashioned legalised brawl, and the town's pubs are brimming with locals and visitors alike.

Although little has altered in Ashbourne over the years, that's all set to change as the new developments gather pace…but the town will never lose that Olde England feel.

Property in Ashbourne

Building has been quiet for a few years, but recently there's been a sudden surge with the emphasis on affordable housing.

The town has a high number of retired couples as well as young families who are attracted to the excellent comprehensive grammar school.

There's been a big shortage of 20 to 30 year old residents, but three new housing schemes, including two on the Derby Road and the other at the forme Nestle factory, are providing a good number of affordable homes for young couples who want to move into the town.

Ashbourne is surrounded by a multitude of pretty little villages which escape the tourists, much to the relief of the residents - but because they're well within commuting time to Derby and are close to Asbourne, they tend to be more expensive than the town itself.

So far, Ashbourne doesn't have much of a rental market.

1. Town Centre

Where is it? Ashbourne is still a tightly knit town, the main centre lying in a hollow. Houses spread out from the market place and around Dig Street.

What's there? A mixture of Georgian terraced houses, some older railway type terraces, and 60 and 70s semis.

There wasn't much housing in the town centre until the Nestle factory was developed, which provides affordable town houses.

Buyers: High proportion of retired couples and families. Because of its tightness, not much room for expansion and extension to houses.

Pros: Some stunning homes. Close to the town centre and its amenities. Most things are within walking distance.

Cons: The tourists. Unless you love them, this is not a place to live. Parking can be a nightmare.

2. The Clifton Road Estate

Where is it? Just off the Clifton Road, opposite the old Nestle factory and new retail park.

What's there? A former council estate, now mostly privately owned.

Buyers: People looking for affordable, fair size homes close to the town.

Pros: Within walking distance of the town centre, Sainsbury's superstore, and the leisure centre, and across the road from the new retail park.
 
Cons: Dated. Still looks like an old council estate in parts. And some people won't want to live on top of a large shopping park.

3. Park Housing Estate

  pic: Terraces, Park Housing Estate
Where is it? On the Belper road just outside the town centre.

What's there? An early fifties council estate overlooking the Memorial Park. A new building scheme to provide more modern affordable starter homes next to the estate has just been given the go-ahead.

Buyers: Families who need affordable homes, and couples.

Pros: Good value homes which are well looked after. The new homes will boost the identity of the area. Great views.

Cons: Even though it's well maintained, it still looks like a council estate.  The new builds should change that and improve the mix.

4. Bell View

  pic: Detached houses, Bell View
Where is it? It's the area above the beautiful St. Oswald's Church on the A52 Leek Road.

What's there? A mix of stunning Georgian homes and Edwardian terraces.

North Avenue, and Windmill Lane on the top of the hill, are home to some of the most exclusive homes in Ashbourne. There's also a generous amount of semis mixed in with the detached.

Buyers: The terraced houses are affordable, but the others are for people with a few bob in their pockets. Mostly families and professionals.

Pros: Beautiful part of town, sitting on top of the hill with great views of the townscape.

Cons: Pricey, tight knit, so it's not ideal for housing extensions.

5. The Derby Road Estates

  pic: Semis, The Derby Road Estates
Where is it? New housing estates on the Derby Road out of town.
 
Locals call them the Hotel estate (because it's built behind the Quality Inn), The Shires estate and the Tree estate (because all the roads are named after trees).

What's there? A mixture of semis and detached built between the 60s and 80s, and some new houses.  Another new estate with 120 homes is being built.
 
Buyers: Families and commuters, with some young couples moving in.
 
Pros: Affordable, decent size, newish houses.  Because they're on the Derby side of town, you don't have to drive through the centre (which gets clogged) so commuting is easier.

Cons: On the edge of town. Not many amenities and it's quite a walk into town. A car is a must.

Living Here

Transport:

Trains: Nearest station is at Derby, 12 miles away.

Buses: Small bus station next to the Sainsbury's superstore.

Regular buses to Derby, but few services elsewhere; although numerous buses pass through the town, the services tend to be infrequent.

Road: Although Ashbourne sits on the main A52, all the main roads are single carriageway, even the main commuter road into Derby, so road travel can be slow, especially in the winter.

And when the tourists hit the town, getting anywhere from Ashbourne can be an arduous journey.

Air: East Midlands International Airport (EMA) is 28 miles, or around an hour's drive, away.

Shopping:

Fashion outlets and antique shops are around every corner, from designer boutiques to high street names. So whether you're searching for trendy day wear, elegant evening wear, your dream wedding dress or beautiful lingerie, you'll find it here.

Ashbourne has lots of hidden unusual gems of shops, from hand-made crafts to everything modern.

Meander around the cobbled Victorian square, still known locally as the Shambles, or explore the antique shops that have virtually taken over Church Street.

Sainsbury's has a superstore on the edge of town, and Homebase and other big chains are expected to move into the new retail park, also on the outskirts.
 
There is also a town centre open air market every Thursday and Saturday.

Eating and drinking:

Ashbourne is top notch for eating places. From a traditional tea cafe in the market place to high quality French food, Ashbourne has more listings in the good food guide than many big cities.

A wide range of high quality independent food shops ranging from small bistros, a great chippie, and cafes to intimate, award winning restaurants, all serving local produce from Derbyshire.

Sports:

Ashbourne Golf Club, on the Wyaston Road out of town, has stunning views, as does Asbourne Bowls Club, located on the same road.

There is a large revamped leisure complex and swimming pool in Station Street in the town centre.
 
There is an Ashbourne United FC and an Ashbourne Rugby Club, and clubs for swimming and running.

Leisure and Entertainment:

There is a good choice of cinemas and theatres in Nottingham and Derby.

For such a small town, Ashbourne has a surprisingly lively nightlife, attracting revellers from all around, especially at weekends.

It's not a trendy pub and nightclub area, but there's plenty of music in the mainly traditional pubs, of which there are many.

Parks and Open Spaces:

The Memorial Gardens and just off the town centre have been extended, and now include a recreational area for children and large playing fields which cater for soccer, rugby, cricket, tennis and bowls.

Fishpond Meadow, added on to the park, is an attractive wildlife and conservation area which surrounds the "Old Hall Boating Lake", with well laid out paths, benches and picnic tables.

A statue commemorates the life of Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army, who was born in the town.