Holiday in and around Ashbourne - Derby

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I’ve just booked a last minute caravan break in Ashbourne. We have 4 kids aged 13, 9 and twins of 8. I’m looking for suggestions of must see places to see/things to do.

I’ve got a list of the most well known things such as Dovedale, Gullivers, Alton Towers/Splash landings, Chatsworth, Tissington Train (basically everything in the top 10 on trip advisor and the caravan sites recommendations) but I’m really interested in hearing of any lovely little villages that may be a little less known/touristy but that are pretty and have a nice pub which welcomes children and serves good food.

I’d also love to know if there are any other little market towns which have market on.

I’d really appreciate any suggestions!

Leek is a nice market town not far away from Ashbourne. It has some lovely tearooms and cafes. There is a lovely wildlife park on the way between Ashbourne and Leek (Peak Wildlife Park) where you can walk inside the animal enclosures.

The Bull's Head at Monyash. Good food, large beer garden and a fab play area. We went to Arbor low stone circle afterwards which is nearby.

Forgot to say they're part of the 'eat out to help out' offer too.

Hartington is nice for a potter around. Not enough for a full day, just a couple of hours.

Brilliant, I haven’t any of those on my list so thank you all!

There's lots of lovely National Trust properties in the area. Many of the houses themselves are not yet open, but many of the gardens and parks are.

Bakewell is lovely...if you go there, be sure the try the proper,original Bakewell pudding.

Matlock Bath is also great. It actually has a promenade, even though it's nowhere near the sea...it's next to the river Derwent. A great place for fish and chips.

The Knockerdown Inn has two play areas - one for older children and another for toddlers. They’ve got a large children’s menu and an enormous beer garden.
The Bentley Brook Inn also welcomes children.

Carsington Water - large reservoir, play park, cafe, canoing, cycling, walks, has a website.

Ilam Hall (National Trust) is lovely - beautiful grounds to wander around and a tea shop with lots of outdoor seating. There's also a family orienteering course - if the shop is open, you get the map from there.

Dovedale (with its famous stepping stones) is nice for a walk but gets very, very busy in good weather so go really early to avoid the crowds.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Sadly I'm going to have to shelve them for another time. The holiday park called this afternoon to say they've double booked our accommodation and will have to cancel our booking.

I've just completed 18 months of treatment for a brain tumour (my last chemo finished on Friday) so having been unable to holiday for 2 years, it's a disappointment but in the scheme of things, with my end of treatment scan and results looming, it's not a big deal. I'm just a bit sad for my kids. The last five years have been dominated by my illness and they deserve so much more. My eldest is 13 and I worry I don't have many years left of him wanting to holiday with us and his younger siblings 😭.

What can you do 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I will definitely be booking a break in the Peak District (at another holiday park I suspect) at a later date so have made a note of all these places.

Thanks again all

Oh, that's rubbish. We had a lovely holiday near Ashbourne last year. I hope you get something else booked (somewhere else).

I was going to suggest the Monsal Trail for bike riding, Jodrell Bank for a bit of science and astronomy as well as many of the places already mentioned.

Oh no. So sorry to hear that. I assume that you don't want to tell them about your circumstances but it might be worth someone contacting them on your behalf as I'm sure you're in a greater need of a break than most of us. I really hope you get the holiday you deserve very soon.

Parley Gorge is lovely for a walk and if the weather is good, lots of paddling in the shallow river.
Matlock Bath is OK, a bit like an inland Skegness sea front. Alton Towers good, but you'll need to pre-book.
Gullivers is terrible and the car park has been taken over by travellers in recent weeks.
Bakewell is pretty to walk around, Belper another little market town which is nice enough.
Loads of lovely pubs, the Farmhouse Inn at Youlgreave is really nice, amazing pies!
Lots of walks across the Peak District though, i hope you have a lovely time.

Oh no OP sorry, I didn't see your update.
That's rubbish news they have cancelled you :-(

This seems to be happening a lot. They are reselling your accommodation at a higher price.

Really sorry to hear that OP.

We've just come back from a holiday cottage near Ashbourne with our 4 year old. Went to Dovedale and Ilam, High Peak Trail, Alton Towers (Cbeebiesland), the Tramway museum, Heights of Abraham and the open air swimming pool at Hathersage. Alstonefield and Hartington are lovely villages nearby, and also Monyash, Ashford in the Water, and Youlgreave a bit further afield. Bakewell has a market.

Thanks everyone.

I’m definitely looking forward to getting up there at some point, even if we go for October half-term. The weather may be a little chilly but it sounds like it will be well worth it!