Ashbourne
One of the most attractive market towns in Derbyshire, Ashbourne is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Peak', sited as it is on the southern fringe of the Peak District National Park. Ashbourne featured as Esseburne in the Domesday Book, originally a small settlement lying in the northern bank of Henmore Brook. It was a 13 th century lord of the manor who laid out the new town to the east, around its unusual shaped market place. When writing ‘Adam Bede', George Eliot based Oakbourne on the town.
At the heart of the town is a triangular cobbled Market Square constructed in the 13 th century, from which Bonnie Prince Charlie proclaimed his father King of England - so started the Jacobite Rebellion. The main thoroughfare is Church Street dominated, not surprisingly by the impressive spire of St Oswald's Church, which reaches toward the heavens by 212ft. The oldest parts of the church date from the 13 th century, though a Norman crypt has been located and remains one of the finest examples of the Early English style. Among many fine monuments inside is a touching white marble memorial to Penelope Boothby who died aged five years in 1791, the daughter of a local farmer. There are also several monuments and effigies of the Cockaynes, a notable local family in the 15 th and 16 th centuries. One of the most handsome parish churches in England, it was declared as such by George Eliot: "the most beautiful mere Parish Church in England".
Church Street, a fascinating and absorbing thoroughfare, offers other architectural attractions apart from St Oswald's. There are a number of fine Georgian buildings, including the Grey House, which stands next to the old Grammar School founded by Elizabeth I in 1585. The original stone built Elizabethan building opposite the church, is still used by boarders of the new Grammar School. Almost facing the Grey House is the 17 th century red brick Mansion, home of the Rev.Dr John Taylor, poet and long-time friend of Dr Samuel Johnson, a regular visitor here. Ashbourne Hall, once the family home of the Cockaynes, is now a public library; here it was in 1745 that Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed before marching on Derby, and again on his retreat north. The hall stands opposite the Memorial Gardens, which contain a bust of Catherine Booth who, with her husband William, founded the Salvation Army; she was born in Ashbourne in 1829.
The Green Man and Black's Head Royal Hotel, a Georgian inn standing in St John's Street, has a sign stretching over the width of the street; erected in 1825 it is claimed to be the longest hotel name in the country. The Green Man Hotel has played host to James Boswell, Dr Johnson and the young Princess Victoria; in fact, Dr Johnson was such a frequent visitor that he had his own chair, still on display. Ashbourne proved one of the good doctor's favourite places, visiting the town often between 1737/84.
The town is home to the famous and unique annual Shrovetide football game, played on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday by some of the hardier citizens. The two teams, the ‘Up'ards' and ‘Down'ards', defined by whether one lived north or south of Henmore Brook, begin their derby match at 2pm behind the Green Man Hotel. The two goals are situated 3 miles apart and consist of old mill wheels, which the person scoring must touch with the ball. The game dates from medieval times, and is a free-for-all with few set rules and no limit on the number of players. Play continues until a goal is scored, which can take two days.