10 Things to do in Ashbourne this Spring + Summer
Spring is finally here. And yes, we know, it took it’s time coming.
But now the flowers in Ashbourne Park are out in full bloom, garden birds are hopping along the Tissington Trail, and the menus in Ashbourne’s many cafes and restaurants are sprinkled with flavours of spring.
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time to visit Ashbourne.
But with small businesses galore, dozens of places to getfood and drink, and a whole range of activities to try, it can be hard to knowwhere to begin when planning a trip to Ashbourne.
We’re here to help.
Here’s our suggestion for 10 Things to do in Ashbourne this Spring + Summer.
1. A Good Day Starts with Good Food …
You can’t go far wrong for food in Ashbourne. And if it’s brunch or coffee you’re after, there are stacks of delicious places to choose from. From local big names Bear and Poms, to Ashbourne-only eateries The Cornerstone Café and F’Coffee, you’re sure to find something scrumptious.
2. Explore the Tissington Trail
The Tissington Trail is a 13-mile-long disusedrailway starting in Ashbourne. It is loved for walking, running, cycling (bike hire available), horse-riding and more. Near the start of the trail, you’ll find the old railway tunnel (complete with recently refurbished, intermittent noises mimicking the railway which once passed through), and the 7 Arches, a steeper down and up section caused by a collapsed viaduct. The rest of trail trends gently uphill if travelling away from Ashbourne. At this time of year along the trail, you’ll see fields full of sheep, plenty of birds and maybe the odd hare or two.
3. Shop Beautiful Local Produce
Ashbourne is renowned for its independent shops, and the centre is an absolute treasure chest for those interested in fashion, jewellery, antiques and interiors. We’d also recommend you check out some of Ashbourne’s gorgeous gift shops, such as Handmade Design and recently opened Becalmed. Brown Onion Books is another new addition to the town centre, and an absolute must for any booklover out there.
4. Let the Little Ones Play ...
The Ashbourne Recreation Ground Splash Pad has recently reopened and is sure to be a hit with younger visitors as the weather warms up. Just outside the town centre, is The Play Village, a beautiful role play centre where children can explore eight play pods, each with a life-like setting designed to let children’s imaginations run wild. Ashbourne is also a great place to stop off in if you’ve had a trip to one of the area’s larger attractions such as Dovedale, Alton Towers or Peak Wildlife Park.
5. ... And Play Isn’t Just for the Little Ones
Whatever your interest, we’re pretty sure there will be something for you to enjoy in Ashbourne. For cinema lovers, Elite Cinema has a cosey, retro vibe yet has an amazing Dolby Atmos surround sound system. For those interested in history, Ashbourne Museum is sure to answer your questions on the local area. There are regular craft workshops at Betty’s Sewing Box and pottery classes at The Clayrooms for the artistic, and bike hire shops and Pay As You Go classes at the leisure centre for those wanting to be more active.
And if you’re looking for even more of a reason to come to Ashbourne this spring and summer, there are a whole range of special events happening over the next few months. You can checkout the whole list here, but here are some of our favourites.
6. Artbourne, 30th – 31st May 2026
Visitors to Artbourne will beable to explore Ashbourne through art, as the town centre is transformed into a walkable gallery. Artwork will be displayed in independent shops, cafes and community spaces. Displaying work from over 100 artists with a range of different styles, Artbourne is a great way for young, old, artists and admirers to discover hidden areas of the town, as well as enjoy live music, street food and creative activity.
7. Ashbourne Festival, 20th June – 12th July 2026
There is so much to choose fromat Ashbourne Festival. The Street Festival takes place during the opening weekend, and you can expect dangerous feats, outright silly acts and everything in between. The Summer Art Exhibition takes place in the Town Hall and features work from invited professional artists plus a whole range of projects in the open section. There are also a selection of music and drama performances, talksand comedy shows spanning a range of genres and topics.
8. World Toe Wrestling Championships, 18th July 2026
One Ashbourne’s slightly more niche events but none the less, extremely enjoyable for all. Taking place in Ashbourne Market Place, the World Toe Wrestling Championships is a blend of humour, camaraderie and genuine competitive spirit with toe wrestlers gathering to challenge the reigning champions. With potential origins all the way back inthe Middle Ages, toe wrestling as we know it was reborn in the mid-1970s in Wetton, Staffordshire, with the World Championships soon following.
And then a couple of new events for 2026, more details to come ...
9. Ashbourne Summer Dog Show, 14th June 2026
More info pending, but prepare to see many cute pouches.
10. Ashbourne Classic Car Show, 2nd August 2026
Held in market place and other locations around the town centre. Car enthusiasts – save the date.
And there you have it, our top ten things to do in Ashbourne over the next few months. As you may have gathered, the variety of things to do in Ashbourne is huge, and we couldn’t possibly shine a light on every small business, event and place to visit. There are many markets, concerts, events and businesses that have gone unmentioned. Browse Discover Ashbourne for further inspiration of things to do when you visit.
What will you do on your next visit to Ashbourne?