Historical Centre & Local Information Point
Live the history of Ashbourne through its pivotal export: Royal Shrovetide Football.
Ashbourne is a Georgian Market Town, first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. Nestled in the foothills of the Peak District famed for ROYAL SHROVETIDE FOOTBALL, it is truly 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.
Let us make your visit to the town and the surrounding area a memorable one by popping into the ASHBOURNE HISTORICAL CENTRE & INFORMATION POINT formed by Ashbourne Town Council in January 2022 located in the Town Hall, formerly the Talbot Inn, which was visited by Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton when writing 'The Compleat Angler' in 1653. Here take a walk through the town's nostalgic past as seen through its main export, Royal Shrovetide Football. We have changing exhibits showcasing our illustrious history, and stock a good selection of leaflets on Ashbourne and the surrounding area. Friendly local knowledge is always on tap by our trained staff.
We also have an ASHBOURNE & DISTRICT REFERENCE LIBRARY, where long out of print publications can be viewed by the public, a quiet reading area can be arranged upon request for research.
Another interesting exclusive is a selection of artefacts excavated from the river bed of the Henmore Brook by The Trent Rivers Trust. These include Roman tessellation, medieval black pottery, Georgian fragments, and Victorian glass & clay pipe fragments. New artefacts are always being added, please see our current & forthcoming exhibits below.
We are always keen to receive new artefacts for display which will be cared for and placed in lockable cabinets. Please contact the Curator on our contacts page and arrange a friendly meeting.
THE HISTORICAL CENTRE OPENING HOURS:
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY
10:00am till 3:00pm
(THURSDAY & SUNDAY: CLOSED)
Or contact us as the details below:
Town Hall, Market Place, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ES
Tel: 01335 343666
The Historical Centre attracts lots of locals and visitors alike!
Current & Forthcoming Exhibits:
Here are the current exhibits we are showcasing:
Main Exhibit: Ashbourne Town & Royal Shrovetide Football
Other Exhibits:
The Meynell & South Staffs Hunt.
Ashbourne Railway. A selection of images taken by Ashbourne photographer Laurie Avery in the 1950s.
Ashbourne Town Band: A Retrospective.
Ashbourne Carnival in the 1970s.
Bayliss Precision Components Ltd, a look at an old Ashbourne institution.
Ashburnians at War 1403-1815.
RAF Ashbourne, Provisional list of Aircraft Crashes, Accidents & Fatalities by Dr. Harry Bennett
Plans of Darley Moor Airfield, Collycroft, Ashbourne
Ashbourne Highland Gatherings Past.
In and around Mayfield Road.
Ephemera & trophies from the former Ashbourne & Dove Valley Darts League.
Hallowe'en & Bonfire Nights Past.
Forthcoming Exhibits:
October 2023: The Civil War in Ashbourne by Phil Philo.
December 2023: Late Night Shopping 12th & 19th December 1986.
January 2024: Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football focusing on the games played on 11 & 12th February 1975.
We stock a good selection of FREE leaflets on Ashbourne and the surrounding area, and our AUTUMN 2023 selection are starting to arrive.
We no longer sell items or tickets, but if you are looking for Ordnance Survey Maps, then the Trespass shop on the Market Place stocks these.
Henry & Co on Dig Street stocks Ashbourne souvenirs, and Ashbourne Festival tickets are available on their website.