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ashbourne |
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Sitting pretty on the edge of the Peaks twelve miles northwest of
Derby, ASHBOURNE is an amiable little town, whose stubby, cobbled Market
Place is flanked by a happy ensemble of old stone buildings. Hikers
tramp into town from the neighbouring dales to hang around the square's
cafés and pubs, and stroll down the hill to take a peek at the suspended
wooden beam spanning Church Street. Once a common feature of English
towns, but now a rarity, these gallows were not warnings to criminals,
but advertising hoardings. Walk west along Church Street and you'll soon
spot the soaring spire of St Oswald's church , an imposing limestone
structure dating from the thirteenth century. The interior is delightful,
decorated with all sorts of sculptures, from Green Men through to kings
and queens, and graced by handsome stained-glass windows, the best of
which are exquisite examples of early twentieth-century Arts and Crafts
design.
The River Dove wriggles its way across the Peak District, cutting a
circuitous course from the high hills of Derbyshire to the flatlands
southwest of Derby, where it joins the River Trent. The Dove is at its
scenic best near Ashbourne in the stirring two-mile gorge that comprises
Dovedale - confusingly, other parts of the river are situated in
different dales. Dovedale and adjacent Lin Dale are extremely popular
with hikers and Ashbourne tourist office has racks of trail guides to
help you through. Generally speaking, this is easy walking country, the
only problem being the bogginess of the river valley after rain.
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