Peak District Destinations – Idyllic Ashford On The Water
Ashford in the water is the perfect spot for a fantastic holiday. Located just north of Bakewell on the River Wye, it is a very unique Derbyshire and Peak District village with some age old traditions, as well as some new ones.
Peak District tourism attracts millions of visitors to the area each year and Ashford should definitely be on your travel agenda.
There are many places that are worthy of a visit here such as the Holy Trinity Church which like many others in the region is centuries old. There are some spectacular places to visit while you are on holiday, such as The Holy Trinity Church. Some sections of the Holy Trinity Church date back to the 13th century. The church had to be rebuilt in the late 1800’s, but a few items of the past still survive.
The north arcade still stands, which originates from the 14th century. The west tower, south door, and lower section of the church still have the Norman tympanum which shows the tree of life with a hog and wolf face to face.
The church also features a chalice from the 1600’s, an octagonal Perp font, and a Jacobean pulpit.
An ancient custom from the 1700’s was to hang funeral garland made of white paper that had been cut into rosettes and attached to a wooden frame, then carried in front of the coffin in the funeral procession, then hung up on the roof of the church, which four of them are still hanging there today.
The village once was an industry for candle making; however, there is only one house in the place of the old factory, located on Greaves Lane.
One of the most picturesque things you will find here is the Sheep Wash Bride. Historically this was used as a packhorse bridge, and later on it became popular with sheep herders who were able to wash their flocks here before shearing.
Ashford is known for the black marble it produces, and once it is polished serves as inlaid patterns for mosaics, clocks, table tops, and jewelry. Ashford Church displays such a table top of this type. This black inlaid marble has become poplar in the United States.
One of the most fascinating features in Ashford is the revived custom of well dressing, which takes place on Trinity Sunday, this very special event has 6 wells that are dressed with layering leaves and many other natural objects in a bed of clay to form a picture. There are approximately 12,000 or so spectators that visit the church during Well Dressing Week.
There is also Ashford Hall, which overlooks a beautiful lake that is part of the River Wye. Ashford Hall was built in 1785 by Joseph Pickford of derby, and belongs to the Olivier family.
Just down the road from Ashford, you can also find a Georgian house that is T-shaped which is better known as Thornbridge Hall. Until the middle of the 20th century, the hall continued to be privately owned but has had a succession of roles being a college for teachers in training to an antique shop.
If your not enjoying a holiday at one of the cottages in Ashford, definitely make sure it is on your list of places to visit especially if you are taking a holiday during Well Dressing week.
Visit Peak District Tourism for more great Peak District Tourist Information.
