Ashbourne is a beautiful historic town on the southern edge of the Peak District National Park. Just north of Ashbourne are the dramatic Dovedale and Manifold valleys. There are many attractions nearby including Alton Towers, the Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth House and Carsington Water (water sports and ornithology).
The Gateway Centre is centrally located within Ashbourne, on the ground floor of Ashbourne Methodist Church, and is accessed from Station Road. The Centre’s postcode is DE6 1AE, view on Google maps.
We are adjacent to the start of the Tissington Trail which provides car free walking and cycling through open countryside. (Simply cross at the pedestrian crossing and turn right. If instead you turn left you will find the sports centre and swimming pool.) The trail links to many miles of off-road routes including the High Peak Trail and the Pennine Bridleway.
The walk pictured below goes from our front door at Ashbourne Gateway – Mapleton – River Dove – Thorpe – Tissington Trail – Ashbourne Gateway in the space of 2 hours. Bring your walking boots in case the section beside the River Dove is muddy. At Thorpe the adventurous can extend this 6 mile circular walk across to the Dovedale stepping stones and around the base of Thorpe Cloud, or to the top! A GPX track of this walk can be provided on request.
Transport
By public transport the nearest train stations are Derby, Uttoxeter or Buxton. Trent Barton runs buses between Ashbourne, Derby and Uttoxeter. High Peak runs buses between Ashbourne, Buxton and Derby. Hulleys of Baslow runs buses between Ashbourne and Matlock. The Centre is only 4 minutes walk from Ashbourne bus station.
Car Parking: We suggest that for long term parking the Ashbourne Leisure Centre pay and display car park is the nearest car park to the Centre. This car park is just on the other side of Station Road, see: car park locations in Ashbourne (Swimming Pool). Motor car access to the Leisure Centre car park is via Leisure Way, and a 3 day rover pass bought online costs approximately £15. The free car park at Cokayne Avenue is 9 minutes walk away.
Cycle Parking: Outdoor space is available in the courtyard outside the kitchen window. Or contact us to ask about under cover storage, up to 12 (clean) bikes could be accommodated within the Centre and more space may be available for booking in the adjacent hall. For cycle route ideas from Ashbourne, check out this Derbyshire County Council cycle route planner.
On-site cafe
The Cornerstone cafe is open Tuesday to Saturday for takeaway or sit in breakfasts and lunches. They also sell barista coffee, cakes and ice-cream.
For self-catering group accommodation, please check the Ashbourne Gateway Centre prices and availability here.