A Taste of the
Peak District
Ashover, Peak District, Derbyshire town in Amber Valley, Calor village of the year 2005 …
Ashover (pronounced by some as Asher) village has a rich and long history. It is Situated in the beautiful Amber Valley, nestled in picturesque countryside in a deep, narrow valley, with wooded slopes and hills all around and fascinating and inviting narrow lanes, tracks and paths leading all directions. One of its quirky claims to fame is that the Bassett family, yes, those of 'Liquorice Allsorts' fame, was first made in Ashover.
The village existed in Saxon times when it was known as Esseover (which I believe means beyond the ash trees). It was the scene of some civil war skirmishes in in 1644 which resulted in the destruction of all the stained glass in the church (the roundheads allegedly needed the lead for bullets but some sources indicate it was vandalism) and nearby Eastwood Hall. There is a plaque outside the Crispin Inn near the church which tells a further tale of those troubled times - the Landlord of the time tried in vain to keep the already drunk Royalist troops out of the pub ... I guess if he had thought it through the result would have been fairly predictable ... the troops "turned him out and set watch at the door till all the ale was drunk or wasted".
There is a great evening mountain bike circuit from Ashover which, although quite short is fairly taxing in its early stages from the village and then up through the quarry. It is described in the Vertebrate Graphics White Peak guide. It is well worth doing. There is plenty of walking on the many local footpaths and some gritstone climbing is available nearby (Chatsworth Guide Book) but unless you have run out of other places to climb in the Peak District, is not particularly inspiring as you have to thrash your way around in dense undergrowth.
Accommodation in or close to Ashford
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River Cottage, B&B, Ashford - SE of the Peak DistrictRiver Cottage, Ashford-in-the-Water. Award winning B&B, outstanding riverside location in the heart of the Peak District... More
information or visit River Cottage web
site.. |
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The Ashford Arms , B&B, Ashford-in-the-Water - SE of the Peak DistrictA friendly and welcoming bed and breakfast pub situated close to Bakewell in the White Peak. More
information or visit The Ashford Arms web
site.. |
Total number of accommodation listings: 2
Ashford Tourist Information
Nearest Tourist Information Centres (please verify opening times independently, we think they are right but would hate you to turn up and find the places closed!):
Derby
Assembly Rooms
Market Place
Derby
DE1 3AH
Tel: 01332 255802
Fax: 01332 256137
Email: tourism@derby.gov.uk
Open seven days a week:
Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday 9.30am - 5pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays 10.30am - 2.30pm
Chesterfield
Tourist Information Centre
Rykneld Square
Chesterfield
S40 1SB
Tel: 01246 345777/8
Fax: 01246 345770
E-mail: tourism@chesterfield.gov.uk
Website: www.visitchesterfield.info
Open times:
Mon 2 Apr 2007 - Sat 27 Oct 2007 Mon - Sat 09:00 to 17:30
Mon 29 Oct 2007 - Sat 15 Mar 2008 Mon - Sat 09:00 to 17:00
Sells a range of tickets - from theatre seats to coaches and trains.
Matlock Tourist Information Centre
Crown Square
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3AT
Tel: 01629 583388
Fax: 01629 584131
email: matlockinfo@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Accommodation within easy reach of Ashford - click here
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