Ashover: Walks, Landscape and History

A stay in Ashover can be shaped around its landscape, local history and walking routes. There are different themes to choose from when planning your trip: freedom to roam on designated Open Access Land, an audio trail through Ashover Village, or exploring historic buildings and industrial history. If you are looking for a hotel in Ashover, you can decide whether landscape and walks or church art and industrial history will shape your stay.

Landscape and Circular Walks

Ashover Rock is designated Open Access Land, giving visitors the right to roam freely there. Highoredish Picnic Site offers views across Ogston Reservoir. Signposted circular walks start from the Highoredish Picnic Site car park. Heather plants such as heather and bilberries grow at Highoredish. The views, circular walks and these plants each offer a different focus for a stay outdoors.

Walks by Length and Theme

The Ashover Walk is four miles long, with an optional extension to Cocking Tor. The route crosses the former Ashover Light Railway line and the River Amber. The walk also includes Gregory Mine, whose tall chimney remains. Check the path conditions and signage before setting out.

The Ashover Audio Trail can be walked around the village of Ashover. It is 1.5 miles long and takes the form of an audio trail through Ashover Village. The trail tells the stories of eight people whose memories of the village reach back to the early years of the 20th century. At 1.5 miles, it is shorter than the Ashover Walk; its focus on village stories offers a different theme from the route across the former railway line and the River Amber.

Church Art and Industrial History

The Church of All Saints in Ashover is a medieval church with remains dating from the late 13th century and the mid-14th century. The lead font dates from around 1200 and is decorated with 20 figures. The oak chancel screen dates from 1511. It features Perpendicular Gothic tracery and a central Tudor arch.

The Ashover Light Railway is a former railway line. Themed walking guides published by the Ashover Light Railway Society can be used to explore much of the former route via public rights of way. Much of the former trackbed is privately owned. When exploring, follow public rights of way and check the route of your chosen walk.

Stone Edge Smelt Mill is one of the best-preserved examples of a reverberatory smelting mill in England. Spancarr Tower Mill is a Grade II listed building; the roofless tower has four millstones. The two buildings offer different points of interest for exploring industrial history: the state of preservation of a smelting mill and the distinctive form of a tower with its millstones.

Events

The Ashover Show is held annually in Ashover and has an agricultural tradition. If you would like to include the event in your plans, check the specific dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: High Peak, Matlock, Chinley, Yeaveley, Edale, Shottle, Whatstandwell, Sandiacre

For the regional travel overview: Derbyshire.