Ashbourne

Ashbourne in Derbyshire, although known as the gateway to Dovedale, Izaak Walton country, and the Peak District National Park, has much to offer the visitor in its own right. 
Ashbourne is a market centre for the surrounding for the surrounding area and has been since it was first granted a charter to allow stalls in its market place in 1257 and being made a royal borough in 1276. There were fairs selling sheep and cattle, horse fairs 3 times a year, cheese fairs 4 times a year, and today it still has a market in its market place on thursdays and saturdays. The market place is used as a car park the rest of the week. On the market place, can be found a statue, erected in 1874, to Francis Wright, a wealthy local industrialist who owned Butterley Ironworks, and lived at Osmaston Manor. 
The main place of interest in Ashbourne, and perhaps its glory is Church Street, with its fine Georgian houses, old grammer school, almshouses and St Oswalds Church. The church is one of the glories of Derbyshire, its tower and spire dominating the small town, the spire rising to 212ft. St Oswald was a popular Anglo Saxon saint. He became king of Northumbra(635-642) and brought St Aiden from Iona to Lindisfarne; their efforts were largely responsible for the conversion of that kingdom and the foundation of the Northumbrian church.

In 2004 a new leisure centre was opened offering more amenities for both young and old. Though the Nestle factory closed in 2003 with a loss of over 100 jobs, many new industries have been created largely located within the old airfield on the outskirts of the town.

Royal Shrovetide Football

The annual Royal Shrovetide Football game takes place each year on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.
It is a football game like no other, covering 3 miles and takes place between 
2pm and 10pm both days, depending on goal scoring.

Click here for more details from the Ashbourne Town web site