A day out in Ashbourne

The market town of Ashbourne is just a 20-minute drive from Wheeldon Trees and provides a perfect day out.

Shrovetide Football Match

Ashbourne is probably most famous for its Shrovetide Football Match, which has been thought to have been played for centuries. The earliest known record of the match is from 1667, but it is likely that it was played much earlier than this.

The Ashbourne Shrovetide Football Match is a unique and exciting event. The game is played on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday every year and spectators watch from around the world.

The game is played in the streets of Ashbourne and there are no set boundaries or goals. The aim of the game is to “goal” the ball, which is a large leather ball filled with sawdust. The goal is scored when the ball is thrown or kicked into one of the two rivers that run through the town, the Henmore or the Dove.

You don’t need to wait until February to visit Ashbourne. The market town is a great day out all year. Here are a few of our favourite things to do.

Boutique shopping

Of all the local towns, Ashbourne probably has the best shops (in the opinion of Hazel who loves to shop!).

Young Ideas

Young Ideas is a multi-award-winning luxury fashion boutique, a one-stop destination for premium womenswear and menswear. Established over 50 years ago, its flagship store is in Ashbourne.  Young Ideas offers carefully curated edits of stylish collections from international brands, including Weekend Max Mara, Armani Collezioni, Paul Smith, Moschino, and many more.

Henmores

If you’re looking for country wear, Henmores should be on your list. The retailer provides you with all your wardrobe essentials for a healthy outdoor lifestyle, whether it be a visit through town or a long trek with the dog.

Optimum Gifts

Optimum Gifts is the perfect place to find the most exquisite gifts online or in-store. Its shop boasts an impressive range of watches, including the stylish Bering watches, the bold and innovative Storm watches, and the timeless Cluse watches. Whether you’re looking for a watch for yourself or as a gift for someone special, it has something for everyone.

Restaurants and Cafes

There’s a whole host of eateries to choose from in Ashbourne.

Cornerstone Coffee House and Beth’s Kitchen 

If you’re looking for great homemade cooking, delicious cakes and wonderful coffee, Beth’s Kitchen at Cornerhouse Coffee House is the spot for you. Beth is the baker who makes all of Wheeldon Trees’ birthday cakes and we can order them on your behalf if you have a special event while staying with us.

Alongside breakfasts and lunches, Beth regularly runs special supper clubs.

The Machine Inn

A relative newby for Ashbourne, The Machine Inn is a relaxed restaurant and bar nestled in the centre of town. The light and airy bar and restaurant is the perfect place to gather with friends and family and the team is passionate about delivering a casual, but un-forgettable and accessible culinary experience for all its guests.

BEAR

There’s a brand new cafe in town this October. BEAR Ashbourne is based in the historic ex-Bennetts department store. It breathes new life into the space whilst taking care to preserve historic architectural features that remain. Run by a young team with a great reputation, BEAR is a growing local chain of cafes.

Evenings in Ashbourne

Elite is one of the newest additions to Ashbourne. This fantastic independent cinema originally opened in the early 1930s and closed its doors in 1976. Having been dormant as a cinema and performance space for many years, the building has been proudly restored back to its original glory to serve Ashbourne and the local community with vital arts provision, access to culture and entertainment. The cinema’s aim is to make your experience a proper night out. Choose a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, a box of popcorn, or a cup of coffee and relax; let the lights dim and curtains open to enjoy theatre or a unique film experience that only the big screen can give.

Book your Wheeldon Trees Cottage

Wheeldon Trees is one of the Peak District’s leading cottage retreats.

There’s no better time to visit than the run-up to Christmas. Haddon Hall and Chatsworth are just short car journeys away.

Our Peak District cottages are close to a variety of activities. Things to do include hiking, biking, fishing, and visiting historic landmarks. In addition, we’re perfectly placed for wandering around charming English villages and taking in cafe society if you’re looking for a more grown-up break.

We have 10 stunning cottages set in 12 acres of Peak District National Park. Alongside luxury cottages, our rural retreat offers free EV charging and an honesty shop packed to the brim with goodies. In addition, we have a fantastic games room where you can play pool, air hockey or ping pong. We have two new electric bikes for you to borrow to explore the local area. What’s more, we have recently added two new hybrid bikes.

In 2023 five of our cottages were rated 5-Star Gold by VisitEngland. Firstly, the Farmhouse retained its 5-Star Gold rating from 2020. And now Priestley Cottage, Ollerenshaw Cottage, Nadin Cottage and Mycock Cottage join it with top marks. The remaining five cottages – Sheldon, Walker’s Rest, Critchlow, Elliott and Lomas were all rated 4-Star Gold. In addition, TripAdvisor recently named Wheeldon Trees in the top 10% of places to stay in the world. Thanks to our visitors’ amazing reviews, we were delighted to be awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023. To complete the hat trick, we were also the runner-up in best self-catering accommodation at this year’s Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.

You can view our availability and pick your perfect cottage by following this link – view our availability.