The little Peak District market town about to get huge new £15m makeover

A gorgeous little market town is set for an incredible £15m transformation that will reshape its town centre.

Ashbourne, Derbyshire – which lies near the southern edge of the Peak District – is set for an incredible regeneration project.

An impressive £15.2 million has been set aside for the project, which aims to improve the pedestrian experience in the town, with wider pavements and upgraded crossings.

The picturesque Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk are all due to be revamped as part of the project.

Often known as “The Gateway to Dovedale”, Ashbourne is the closest town to the renowned National Trust valley which boasts impressive limestone ravines.

Now, the first phase of roadworks is set to begin – on the south section of Dig Street from Monday, January 27.

Derbyshire Dales District Council, according to BBC News, will implement a short diversion along King Edward Street, Station Road and Church Street.

The authority added all works will shut down to allow the popular Royal Shrovetide football to go ahead on March 4 and 5.

The second phase of roadworks will start from March 10 when St John Street will be closed to traffic with wider diversions in place.

As of 2021, Ashbourne had a population of around 9,000. It is home to many impressive Tudor and Georgian buildings and independent shops.

According to the council website, in January 2023 the previous government approved a Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid designed to “transform Ashbourne town centre”.

It said: “The total programme will cost £15.2m of which LUF is contributing £13.4m.”

The council revealed that the further £1.8 million is made up of match funding raised locally, including significant funds raised from Ashbourne Methodist Church members, friends and grants, as well as grant-giving organisations and local businesses.

“The exciting programme – named ‘Ashbourne Reborn’ is led by Derbyshire Dales District Council working with Derbyshire County Council and Ashbourne Methodist Church as key delivery partners, in collaboration with Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom who brought forward project ideas, identified opportunities and raised match-funding for the bid.”

Ashbourne is said to have more than 200 listed buildings, including the Grade I listed Old Grammar School, the “longest inn sign in the world” outside The Greenman pub and restaurant and the beautiful St Oswald’s Parish Church with its striking 212 feet high spire, described by classic author George Eliot as the “finest single spire in England”.

The town offers a historic annual Shrovetide football match – played on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday since at least the 12th century – which has been attended by the likes of King Edward VIII and King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales.