Major city · United Kingdom
Ashbourne
Give Ashbourne one night, or a half-day stop between Derby and Dovedale: the town is 2–3 hours on foot, Dovedale is the real draw.
Ashbourne is a small Derbyshire market town of about 9,000 people, chartered for markets in 1257 and still holding them on Thursdays and Saturdays. It has no railway station — the line went in the 1960s and is now a cycle path — so you arrive by bus or car. The town itself is a compact grid of Georgian and older streets around St Oswald's Church; the reason to sleep here rather than pass through is Dovedale, 5 km north-west, and the Tissington Trail, which starts in town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday (Shrovetide football fills the town); winter weekends when Dovedale car parks flood
- Airports
- EMA · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ashbourne999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ashbourne, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are rural roads with no pavement, fast A52 traffic…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-emergency · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEMA East Midlands (About 45 min by car via the A50 and A52; no direct bus to Ashbourne — check connections via Derby.).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of draught beer£4–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town£5–8 (≈ US$7–11)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EMA East Midlands (About 45 min by car via the A50 and A52; no direct bus to Ashbourne — check connections via Derby.) · MAN Manchester (About 1 h 15 min by car; buses run from Manchester to Ashbourne, check the operator and times.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ashbourne: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The centre is flat and small enough to cross in 10 minutes; Church Street to the Market Place is a 5-minute walk. Buses link the centre with Derby and outlying villages; a car is the practical way to reach Dovedale, Tissington and Alton Towers.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dovedale
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
A515 north, then through Thorpe village; car or taxi, no useful bus
Stepping stones and Thorpe Cloud (287 m). Go before 10:00 in summer; the car park is on the Staffordshire side.Stepping stones and Thorpe Cloud (287 m). Go before 10:00 AM in summer; the car park is on the Staffordshire side.
Tissington Trail
goDoor to door: On foot from the centre
Walk or cycle from town; the trail follows the old railway line
Flat, traffic-free path; bike hire in the area, check opening.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from the town centre
Use it as the railhead for the rest of the country.
Door to door: About 40 min
Car via the A515 and A6
Better as a full day with Chatsworth than a quick return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Market Place and St John Street)
Pubs with rooms and small hotels; walk to everything, including the Tissington Trail start.
Church Street
Quietest central street, closest to St Oswald's Church and the almshouses; antique shops on the doorstep.
Mapleton Road and the A52 edge
Country-house hotels and chain lodges with parking; 15–25 min walk into the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or B&B double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Bus Derby → Ashbourne, both ways2 × £12 · check | £24 |
| Dovedale car park, one day1 × £6 · check | £6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £33 |
| Trip total≈ £180 per person per day, bed included | £359≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Ashbourne excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Fish and chips, eat in or takeaway | £9–15 (≈ US$12–20) |
| Pint of draught beer | £4–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus Derby → Ashbourne, singlecheck | £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Taxi within town | £5–8 (≈ US$7–11) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No train station: the nearest railheads are Derby and Uttoxeter, then bus or taxi.
- Dovedale car parks fill by mid-morning on summer weekends and bank holidays; the stepping stones get crowded and slippery.
- Shrovetide football (Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday) closes streets and fills every bed in town — book elsewhere or book months ahead.
- Rural buses are thin in the evening; check the last service back before you set out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-emergency
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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AshbourneAshbourne
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-emergency101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Ashbourne; the US Embassy is in London, and most countries' consulates are in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Derby → Ashbourne: about £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) single, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Ashbourne centre → Dovedale: about £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) (check)
- Dovedale car park: about £6 (≈ US$8) per day (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ashbourne. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday (Shrovetide football fills the town); winter weekends when Dovedale car parks flood · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EMA and MAN: last bus and taxi fallback field-checked.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Place, Church Street, the Tissington Trail start.
- Place pages with verified hours (St Oswald's Church, Dovedale car park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Shrovetide and Dovedale-summer fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialDiscover Ashbourne
- officialAshbourne Town Council
- officialSt Oswald's Church, Ashbourne
- officialPeak District National Park — Dovedale
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ashbourne, revision 5268758 (CC BY-SA 4.0)