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Pictures of Ashford in the Water

in the county of Derbyshire

Stone built houses, Ashford

About Ashford in the Water

The dramatic limestone scenery of the Peak District can be seen following the course of the River Wye as it works its way from Buxton through a series of noted beauty spots until it reaches the picturesque village of Ashford in the Water which lies a short distance from Bakewell, home of the tasty Bakewell Tarts.

The beauty of the Wye is well documented but here it is made more vibrant with beautiful spring flowers growing at the waters edge beneath Sheep Dip Bridge, which is doubtless the main attraction of the village. Once a packhorse bridge, right up until recently sheep where brought here to be washed in the water prior to shearing. The concept was to pen the lambs on the one side of the river and throw the mothers in on the opposite side. The mothers would swim towards their young, ensuring a good soak resulting in a silky fleece.

Ashford is noted for its colourful well-dressing ceremony which is held here on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday when all six wells are dressed with a mass of beautiful flower petals and leaves. It is a lively event which attracts numerous visitors from out-lying areas who also enjoy the attractive village inns, lovely old stone houses and beautiful church. The church dates back to the 13th-century, it has a clock-faced tower crowned with graceful pinnacles. In the cool interior is a Jacobean pulpit and a chalice from the middle of the 17th-century. The church lies within a pretty tree-lines churchyard surrounded by graves covering past centuries.

The village was a centre for candle making, noted for lead mining and made famous by the discovery of Ashford marble which was first quarried by Henry Watson in 1748. The polished black marble was used for making clocks, vases and jewellery and made an exquisite background for colourful mosaic. The church has a handsome table top made in Henry Watson's factory which continued in production until around the 20th-century.

Ashford in the Water is a short distance from the steep slopes of wooded Taddington Dale above which rises Taddington, a spectacular limestone village and one of the highest in the country. The wooded slopes are preserved by the National Trust and face Monsal Dale in the east. Taddington Moor at 1,500 feet has the highest Megalithic tomb in England, it is an eyrie place wandered by sheep, where on a clear there are extensive views of exciting limestone formations and rolling countryside.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Ashford in the Water

Monsal Head(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Magpie Mine(2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction SW)Pictures
Lathkill Dale(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction S)Pictures
Cressbrook Dale(3.0 miles, 4.7 km, direction NW)Pictures
Haddon Hall(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Chatsworth House(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction E)Pictures
Peak District National Park(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction N)Pictures
Monk's Dale(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NW)Pictures
Robin Hood's Stride(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Stanton Moor(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Chee Tor(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Chee Dale(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction W)Pictures
Long Dale(6.2 miles, 10.1 km, direction S)Pictures
Hay Dale(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Darwin Forest Country Park(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction SE)Pictures

All attractions in Ashford in the Water
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Recommended towns near Ashford in the Water

Bakewell, in the county of Derbyshire (1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction SE)
Bakewell is the largest town in the Peak District National Park. It is an old town full of glowing stone houses and buildings that lend an air of ambience and overall warmth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Edensor, in the county of Derbyshire (3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Baslow, in the county of Derbyshire (3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction NE)
Set amidst the stark loneliness of the High Peak the village of Baslow is surrounded by some of the finest historic properties to be found in Derbyshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eyam, in the county of Derbyshire (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction N)
Setting its chilling history to one side, this is a village with a lot to offer. It is hidden away in a matchless location above the limestone peaks of Middleton Dale.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tideswell, in the county of Derbyshire (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)
Tideswell is famous for its superb, large church, known as the "Cathedral of the Peak".
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winster, in the county of Derbyshire (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction S)
Today, this graceful village with its sweeping main street and quiet little alleyways is a tourist destination of character and charm.
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Hartington, in the county of Derbyshire (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SW)
Hartington is a small village centred around a medieval market place, with attractive 18th and 19th century buildings.
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Hathersage, in the county of Derbyshire (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
The town now takes advantage of its superb position, operating mostly as an attractive place for tourists.
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Buxton, in the county of Derbyshire (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction W)
This barely spoilt town offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy a town crammed with beautiful buildings whilst exploring the high upland regions of England's glorious Peak District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Matlock Bath, in the county of Derbyshire (9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction SE)
Matlock Bath lies amongst some of the most beautiful river-valley country in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Milldale, in the county of Derbyshire (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction S)
Milldale is a glorious stone village lying in scenic countryside towards the southern fringes of the Peak District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chapel-en-le-Frith, in the county of Derbyshire (11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction NW)
Chapel is a well preserved, picturesque place. It has a lovely old church dating back to the 14th-century which stands on the spot of an earlier church built by foresters a century or so before.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chesterfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Derbyshire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction E)
Chesterfield is an attractive town close to the dramatic peaks of the Peak District National Park. It is well known for its...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ilam, in the county of Derbyshire (12.5 miles, 20.2 km, direction S)
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All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Grindleford Station(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction NE)
Hathersage Station(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)
M1 Junction 29(15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction E)
M1 Junction 30(17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction E)
Sheffield City Airport(17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction NE)
Manchester Airport(25.1 miles, 40.4 km, direction W)
Ashford in the Water to London(136.2 miles, 219.2 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ashford in the Water

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Ashford in the Water center
The Cavendish Hotel(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction E)
East Lodge Country House Hotel(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction SE)
Sir William Hotel(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE)
The Maynard Arms(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NE)
Whitworth Park Hotel(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE)
Best Western George Hotel(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)
The Crewe And Harpur Arms(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SW)
The Cromwell Hotel(8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction SE)
Mardon House(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction E)
Old Hall Hotel(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction W)
All hotels in Ashford in the Water

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