natural wonder
Dovedale
A limestone valley of caves and pinnacles crossed by famous stepping stones over the crystal River Dove.
5 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Ashbourne
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Ashbourne
Ashbourne works well as a base: 25 minutes from Wirksworth, 5km from Dovedale.
Ashbourne is in England, United Kingdom, with about 8,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Wirksworth, about 13 km away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ashbourne?
Within an hour or so of Ashbourne: Dovedale (5 km), Dovedale and the Stepping Stones (5 km), Alton Towers (11 km), Thor's Cave (12 km).
Are there any good drives near Ashbourne?
The nearest famous roads are Monsal Trail, A54 Congleton to Buxton and Goyt Valley road, Peak District.
Where is Ashbourne?
Ashbourne is in England, United Kingdom, about 13 km from Wirksworth.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,377
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 53.0167, -1.7333
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Ashbourne
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Dovedale and the Stepping Stones
A limestone ravine of caves, spires and the famous stepping stones across the River Dove.
5 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Alton Towers
Major British theme park set in the grounds of a historic estate in Staffordshire with record-breaking coasters.
11 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Thor's Cave
Vast natural cavern with a 10m symmetrical arched mouth gaping from a limestone crag 80m above the Manifold Valley. The scramble up is short and the view through the arch is one of the Peak District's best.
12 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Matlock Bath Motorcycle Strip
The entire riverside parade at Matlock Bath transforms into the UK's most famous bike meet every sunny weekend.
17 km · about 20 min drive
museum
Great British Car Journey
Interactive museum in Ambergate telling the story of the British car industry through 130+ vehicles, from Austin 7 to Aston Martin: many of which you can actually drive on site.
17 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Lathkill Dale
A limestone dale carrying one of England's purest rivers, which vanishes underground in dry summers; a national nature reserve.
19 km · about 20 min drive
castle
Haddon Hall
A remarkably unaltered fortified medieval manor house on the Wye near Bakewell, much used as a film location.
20 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Ashbourne
8 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 24 kmMonsal HeadA viewpoint above the Wye valley looking down on the five-arch Headstone Viaduct, now carrying the Monsal Trail.
- 24 kmMonsal TrailAn 8.5-mile traffic-free walking and cycling route along a former railway through the Wye valley, passing through four lit tunnels.
- 29 kmA54 Congleton to BuxtonA fast moorland alternative to the Cat and Fiddle, rolling over the Peak District's western edge past Danebridge and the Cheshire border.
- 29 kmCurbar EdgeA gritstone escarpment above the Derwent valley with sweeping views and long-established bouldering and climbing.
- 30 kmGoyt Valley road, Peak DistrictA quiet reservoir road between Errwood and Fernilee in the Goyt Valley, wooded and twisting, often closed to through traffic on summer Sundays.
- 30 kmFroggatt EdgeA wooded gritstone edge north of Curbar, home to classic climbs and an easy level walk along the escarpment top.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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