Ashford in the Water Tourist Information

Ashford in the Water Town Guide

Widely regarded as one of the most picturesque villages in the Peak District, Ashford in the Water is easily reach just off the A6 a mere 2 miles from Bakewell. The village sits alongside the River Wye and has a rich history in quarrying, specifically the famous Ashford Black Marble which was one of the Victorians' favourite shiny black ornamental materials. An extensive collection of Ashford black marble ornaments and furniture can be seen at the Buxton Museum.

Picture postcard scenes at Ashford in the Water include the much painted and photographed 17th century Sheepwash Bridge. The bridge derives its name from the fact that it was until fairly recently the site where sheep were plunged into the river to clean their fleeces and to rid them of ticks. Charming stone cottages line the streets of Ashford in the Water, many of which were once workshops for the Black Marble industry. Some of Ashford's beautiful stone cottages are today idyllic self catering holiday cottages and you'll also find exquisite luxury country house hotels, traditional real ale inns and charming B&Bs in the village. Ashford in the Water is one of many villages in the Derbyshire Peak District which features a traditional annual Well Dressing ceremony usually held in the summer months.

Derbyshire Well Dressings are particularly ornate with stunning pictures created out of flower petals pressed into clay and displayed around historic wells. Ashford's Well Dressing takes place in May or June, depending on where Easter and Trinity Sunday falls and the Patronal Flower Festival in Ashford in the Water is held simultaneously. Details of both these Ashford in the Water events can be found via Ashford Parish Church's website. Six wells in the village are decorated during the Well Dressing ceremony. This includes the children s well, starts at Cottage Crafts next to the Riverside hotel. Other famous Well Dressing events in the Peak District take place in Tissington, Tideswell, Youlgrave, Eyam, Buxton and Wirksworth.

Lazy days alongside the River Wye in Ashford in the Water is a favourite pass time with visitors. The River Wye is also rich in Trout here and is popular for fishing. At the heart of the village is Ashford Parish Church, a stunning historic church in the Peak District featuring a Norman tower and ancient yew trees in the churchyard.

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Walking around Ashford in the Water

The beautiful Monsal Trail and Monsal Head beauty spot sit just to the north of Ashford in the Water village. The Monsal Trail runs for 8.5 miles across the Peak District National Park and follows a section of the old Midland Railway Line. The Trail begins at Coombs Viaduct just south-east of Bakewell and pushes up past Ashford to Blackwell Mill Junction at Wyedale to the east of Buxton. Further information, guides and maps are available at Bakewell Visitor Centre at The Old Market Hall on Bridge Street.

Famous features along the Monsal Trail include the Monsal Viaduct, a listed architectural gem. Historic mills like Cressbrook Mill built for Richard Arkwright and dating from 1783 and Litton Mill dating from 1782 also feature along the Monsal Trail.

Monsall Head, which sits very close to Ashford in the Water village along the trail, is one of the Peak District's classic views and beauty spots. Views stretch up both Monsal Dale and the Wye Valley from Monsal Head. The site is very popular with visitors and a car park and toilets can be found adjacent. Access is via the A6020 off the A6 then on to the B6465. A detailed map and guide to the Monsal Trail can be found on the Peak District National Park's website.

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