Holiday homes and rentals in Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a picturesque market town on the edge of the Peak District, rich in history and on the edge of some beautiful countryside. The juxtaposition of English quaintness with imperial elegance makes Ashbourne a truly unique attraction, and an ideal base for a short break or longer holiday.

The town of Ashbourne offers a number of holiday homes primarily in traditional cottages. Cozy and warm, these make the ideal holiday home for small groups, and you are right on the doorstep of Ashbourne’s central shopping area. Head just outside of the town and you can find larger detached homes with 3 or 4 bedrooms, ideal for large groups and all just a stone’s throw from both the town itself and the wonderful countryside that surrounds it.

Ashbourne is located right on the edge of the southern boundary of England’s favourite national park, the glorious Peak District. The area is known for its stunning views, busy market towns and quaint, traditional villages, historic houses and popular attractions. You could spend months in the Peak District, and still not see it all! Ashbourne itself is an old market town of cobblestone streets and multitude of handsome Tudor and Georgian townhouses, some eccentric traditions and two fine outdoor markets open weekly.

Stately home fans who stay in Ashbourne are in for a real treat! The English favourites of Chatsworth, Sudbury Hall, Kedleston Hall and Hardwick Hall are all within 40 minutes’ drive of the town. The most renowned of these is Chatsworth, with its majestic Georgian architecture, one of Europe’s finest private art collections, and well-tended lawns and parks with fountains and water features including a unique water cascade.

The town is ideally situated to appeal to both amateur and more experienced cyclists: those who love the hills and the dales and those who prefer flatter terrain. Nearby Carsington Water offers a local centre for outdoor activities including sailing, kayaking, canoeing. But most of all, the Peak District is best known as walking country, with a huge variety of scenery and routes to be explored, from steep sided limestone dales to the striking moorlands. All routes are well signposted and there is something for everyone – whether you want a challenging long-distance hike or a short stroll to work up your appetite for lunch in one of the area’s numerous traditional English pubs.

Prepare to be bowled over by the number of family-friendly attractions in the area of Ashbourne – you are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to fun and educational days out! Don’t miss Newgrange Farm, a working farm open to the public, where you can feed and pet the farm animals and learn all about the life of farmers both today and in ancient times. At Churnet Valley Railway, take your train-mad children on a genuine steam train and learn about the history of the railways and its huge impact on the development of modern-day Britain.

Just 20 minutes’ drive away, Alton Towers is Britain’s best loved theme park and the home of its most hair-raising rides. Find out if your inner daredevil measures up on the Infinity Coaster, which holds the world record for the most inversions on a single roller coaster ride!

At the heart of the majestic Dovedale Valley, these are a set of famous stepping stones over the river, which is framed by sheer rock walls and immense natural beauty. Expect to see grasslands carpeted with wildflowers in summer, a wide array of limestone formations, and ancient ash woodland.

Perhaps the finest of Ashbourne’s townhouses, dating all the way back to 1602, it is an elegant Elizabethan building that is well worth a nosey

A two-day football match between the residents of the Ashbourne, with the entire town used as the pitch and no limit on the number players, no rules and goals three miles apart! Fantastic fun for participants and spectators alike!

Church Street in Ashbourne boasts a procession of wonderful antique shops that will please the most exacting of enthusiasts, with sculptures, furniture and paintings spilling out onto the pavement.