Regular events

Ashbourne Regular Events

Discover all the regular events going on in Ashbourne and in the closest villages. Fitness classes, pub quizzes, toddler groups, sport clubs, hobbies & more, every day of the week.

Click here if you are looking for special events.

Hobbies

Amateur dramatics

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The Peakland Players are a long established local amateur dramatics group. See their website or join them at Smiths Tavern on a Monday at 7:30.

Arts & Heritage

The Dove Valley Arts Society and the Ashbourne Heritage Society are voluntary organisations which hold regular events for members.

Bird watching

Carsington Bird Club has regular meetings for bird watching.

Bridge

Ashbourne Bridge Club meets at The Empire on a Monday night.

The U3A also has a bridge group.

Gardens & flowers

Ashbourne & District Flower Club meet at 7.30pm on the 3rd Monday of every month.

Flower lovers should visit St Oswalds churchyard in spring for a mesmerising display of snowdrops and daffodils (seasonal but try mid February to late April).

Several local private gardens have open days, usually raising money for local good causes - see the what's on page for dates.

Nearby public gardens are shown on the attractions page.

The U3A has an active gardens group, with trips to private gardens opening specially for them and to public gardens. They also maintain a flower bed in the memorial gardens.

Motorsports & flying

Darley Moor Motor Cycle Race Club hosts track days several times a year where you can bring your own bike and have a go.

Also at Darley Moor, Airways Airsports offers paragliding, kite surfing, microlighting and other aviation sports.

Music & singing

Chameleon Choral welcome anyone who can hold a tune to attend practice and see how they get on - Osmaston Village Hall on Thursdays at 7:30.

There is a choral evensong at St Oswalds every Sunday at 6:30 - Contact Director of Music, Michael Halls, who welcomes new recruits of any voice.

Ashbourne town band welcomes new members and can arrange lessons for beginners - Wednesdays and Sundays at St Johns Church Hall.

Osmaston wind band also welcome new members - Brailsford village hall on Sunday evenings.

Painting & crafting

Bettys Sewing Box runs sewing and crafting workshops throughout the year.

The Clayrooms runs frequent courses for adults, larger groups or families.

Local artist Wendy Darker runs painting workshops throughout the year, focussing on animals.

Local artist Mary Newton-Taylor runs painting workshops and courses throughout the year, focusing on flowers & gardens.

Derbyshire Adult Education runs lots of interesting courses at its centre on Cokayne Avenue.

Sticky Fingers cafe on Church Street opens Tuesday to Sunday for crafting and pot painting.

Experienced art teacher Alan Fernihough runs an art class on Wednesday nights at St Oswalds Church hall, from 3 to 5 and agin from 7 to 9.

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Photography

Ashbourne Camera Club meets weekly on Wednesdays at 8pm from September to April, at All Saints Community Hall, Belle Vue Road and there is also a summer events programme. Non-members are welcome to attend (there will be a small charge).

Reading & writing

Ashbourne Writers Group meet 7 - 9pm on the first Thursday of each month in St Johns church hall.

The book club meets at 10 am on the first Tuesday each month in the Courtney Gallery Cafe - see the what's on page for this month's book.

Foxes Retreat offers residential and one day workshops on creative writing.

Sewing & embroidery

The Ashbourne Creative Stitchers group welcomes newcomers for up to three meetings before joining. There are meetings and workshops throughout the year and anyone with an interest in textiles is welcome, not just stitchers.

Bettys Sewing Box runs sewing and crafting workshops throughout the year. We list a selection of these on the what's on page.

U3A

Ashbourne U3A holds its regular monthly meeting on the first Friday of every month at 2:30 the Elim church on Waterside. Non-members are welcome to attend.

Many other regular events are held and non-members may attend one before deciding whether to join.

Womens Institute

Ashbourne WI has a regular meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month at St John’s Church Hall. Non-members are welcome to attend on a trial basis before deciding whether to join.

Woodwork

Derbyshire Dales Woodwork Club meets at Wyaston Village Hall on the 1st Saturday each month.

Children

Crafting

Sticky Fingers is a crafting cafe where you can decorate ceramic pots or animals whilst you eat your cakes – the cafe will then fire your work for you to collect a few days later.

See also Bettys Sewing Box and The Clayrooms which also have crafting activities for children but a bit more expensive and booking required.

There is often a free event on in the library, usually around once a month. See the library notice board for more information.

Guides, scouts, cadets etc

Ashbourne has several active packs catering for under fives through to teenagers. Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers are for girls only. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers are unisex.

It proved tricky for us to find contact details, but hopefully these links will be helpful.

‍Click here for beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers.

‍Click here for rainbows, brownies, guides and rangers.

There is also a very active army cadet unit for boys and girls.

Holiday activities

The leisure centre usually has a fabulous programme of activities for children during the summer, very affordably priced. A lot of them need to be booked in advance but some are OK just to turn up.

We will try and add links to the programme here but otherwise just check on their website.

Junior football

‍Ashbourne Aztecs run all the junior football teams in Ashbourne for boys and girls from reception to teens. They have over 300 children taking part with dozens of enthusiastic parents and coach in support.

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More childrens' activities

Ashbourne cricket club has an active junior section, for boys and girls from reception to teens.

Peak Performance is a triathlon club just for children.

Ashbourne squash club has a junior section.

Ashbourne School of Dance teaches ballet, tap, modern and acrobatics.

Parent & toddler groups

Voluntary groups - these tend to run for an hour or two on just one day and often only in term time, most are free.

Little Sparkles at the Elim church Thursday morning 9.15 – 11.15 am (term time).

Hilltop Tots at Ashbourne Hilltop School Friday mornings.

Edward Bear at St Oswalds Church Thursday mornings.

Welly Club 9:30 to 10:30 at the Methodist Church on Tuesdays.

Hulland Hippos is a church-run group which meets every Wednesday from 10.00am to 11.30am at Hulland Village Hall.

Wyaston Baby And Toddler Group is on a Wednesday 9.30-11.30

Messy Tots are on Monday mornings at The Venue

The Pavilion has a family session with games and free hot drinks for children + accompanying adult from 9 til 12 on Friday mornings.

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Professional enterprises that open at regular hours.

‍The Play Village is on Station Street.

Baby Sensory at The Venue Tuesdays 12 til 2 (booking essential).

Bailey Bears in the Runway Business Park.

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Buggy walks

Derbyshire Dales does a one hour buggy walk on the Tissington Trail on Thursday mornings during summer.

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Breast feeding

There is a breast-feeding support group at the library on the second Friday each month, at 1:30.

Parks & playgrounds

Ashbourne has lots of small playgrounds for small children – see our directory for a list.

Pre-school and nurseries

Ashbourne has several pre-school and nursery facilities. Please see our directory page.

Socialising

Ashbourne market

Thursday is market day in Ashbourne. Its held in Civic Square next to the library and is run by our local community interest company, Ashcom.

Bingo

Ye Olde Vaults normally does bingo on a Tuesday night.

The Pavilion also hosts bingo on a Wednesday night at 8pm.

Dancing

The U3A does line dancing on Monday nights at Yeldersley Hall. They also have a disco dancing group that meets monthly - check the U3a website or see the what's on page. Non-members may attend one event before deciding whether to join.

Dans' Dancing Devils does line dancing at 18:30 Wednesdays at Wyaston Village Hall. Booking required.

Latin and ballroom dancing classes are open to everyone from the seasoned dancer to the outright beginner in the ballroom of Ashbourne Town Hall each Monday from 7.30pm till 10.00pm.

Brailsford folk dance group meets at 7:45 on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays most months. Non-members welcome.

See also under Health & Fitness for zumba and ballet.

Live music

Most weekends there is usually live music somewhere in or close to Ashbourne. See the what's on page and filter by "music & dance".

if you are looking for a choir or a band, see the hobbies section.

Older residents

The "over sixties club" meets at The Empire every other Wednesday for guest speakers, entertainment & outings. Call Margeret Ford on 01335 300140.

The leisure centre has various classes that are aimed specifically at the over fifties and are as much about socialising as keeping fit.

Derbyshire Dales coordinates the "50+ forum" which intermittently holds public meetings in Ashbourne that are a good way to meet like-minded people and find out what's going on - keep an eye on the what's on page for dates.

Ashbourne Probus Club is for retired professional and business men - its for men only - and meets on the second Tuesday each month.

Age-UK has a Derbyshire website with links to local services for older residents. [NOTE its not easy to navigate, we are working on a better way to signpost what's on offer]

Quiz nights

Ye Olde Vaults usually does its quiz on a Wednesday.

The Yeaveley Arms often has a quiz on the last Sunday each month.

The Stepping Stones usually has a quiz on Thursday nights, at 8pm.

The Old Dog usually has a quiz on the last Thursday each month, in aid of mountain rescue.

U3A

The U3A is a great way to meet like-minded people. It used to be known as a group for older people only, but now it welcomes anyone who feels they are into a "3rd stage" of life. Its only £14 to join.

Volunteering

Joining a voluntary group is a great way to meet like-minded people. Take a look at the list of local groups and see if there is anything that appeals to you.

Most organisations are always on the lookout for new volunteers.

Health & fitness

Ballet

Peak Ballet offers Silver Swans classes for the over 55's in Mayfield on Mondays. They are bookable by the term.

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Fitness classes

Classes such as metafit, aerobics, circuits etc are available most days at the leisure centre on a PAYG basis.

DDDC runs "stronger for longer" Wednesday morning classes at the Pavillion. Booking advised.

‍Eager Beavers runs classes on a Monday night at the Methodist Church Hall and also does classes at The Venue.

Guided walks

Derbyshire Dales runs a very easy walk starting at the rec on a Tuesday morning and an easy walk from the Leisure Centre on a Friday morning. There is also a longer walk on Wednesday with a meeting point within a few miles. See their website for details.

‍The U3A Strollers group goes out every other Monday afternoon, the walkers group goes out once a month usually on a Wednesday morning and the hikers group once a month usually on a Tuesday. You can attend one event without joining.

Derbyshire Dales Ramblers has lots of members in Ashbourne and a varied programme of walks many within half an hour's drive. See their website for details.

‍The Methodist Church has a walking group which meets on Wednesday mornings.

Parkrun also does parkwalk, starting at 9am on a Saturday morning on the rec.

Gyms & personal training

We are not aware of any gym in Ashbourne that is generally open to non-members on a PAYG basis though most will allow newcomers a short trial before joining. Please see the directory for membership clubs . There are lots to choose from and they all offer personal training options.

Pilates, yoga, tai chi & qigong

Pilates and yoga is available several times each week in the fitness studio at Sally Montegue Spa & Salon.

Ashbourne Physio hosts a variety of pilates, yoga & Tai-Chi classes, mostly requiring a commitment for several weeks.

‍Tai Chi classes are in the Town Hall on a Thursday evening and yoga at 12 noon on a Monday.

The leisure centre also offers pilates and yoga classes.

Vanessa Gerrard is a local yoga instructor offering group classes and private tuition with sessions in the Pavilion on a Monday morning, and Clifton Village Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Also at the Pavilion on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is "Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing", contact June on 07802 411879.

‍The U3A do Qigong three times a month on a Thursday morning at Wyaston Village hall.

‍Ashbourne Adult education sometimes offers Tai Chi in 5 week blocks - they sell out very quickly.

Wildhive Callow Hall hosts yoga classes.

Slimming

Slimming World runs classes at St Oswalds church hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact Sharon to book.

Zumba

There is a Zumba class every Tuesday in the ballroom of Ashbourne Town Hall from 6.00pm till 7.00pm.

The leisure centre also holds zumba classes.

The Pavilion hosts Zumba at 9:15 on Thursday mornings.

See under socialising for other options for dancing.

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Sport

Badminton

There is a public court in the ballroom of the Town Hall, booking essential.

Ashbourne badminton club meets at the leisure centre at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Newcomers are welcome to attend on a trial basis before deciding whether to join the club.

The U3A also runs a badminton group, usually Tuesday mornings at the leisure ecntre but do check their website to be sure.

The leisure centre courts are also available on a PAYG basis - contact reception for information.

Bowls

Ashbourne Park Bowls Club meet during the summer on the green by the Pavilion.

Ashbourne Crown Green Bowls Club is based just off Wyaston Road, near the golf club.

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Cycling

Ashbourne Cycling Club rides every Saturday starting from the leisure centre at 8:30 in summer and 9:00 in winter, usually with four groups to suit the super fit to the merely fit! Not for beginners. Newcomers are encouraged to attend for a couple of weeks before deciding whether to join the club.

Breeze is an organisation that facilitates gentle group rides on the roads for less experienced ladies. The Ashbourne group holds rides most Friday mornings, usually meeting at Mapleton Lane station. Its free but booking is required. Click here for more information.

‍The U3A also has a cycling group, doing half day rides at a gentle pace, once a month.

Darts

There is a thriving local darts league with competition taking place in many of the local pubs. Contact the Ashbourne League for more information.

Fencing / sabre

Ashbourne sabre club trains in Ashbourne Town Hall on a Friday night. Newcomers are welcome to come and look - the first class is free.

Football, cricket & rugby

Ashbourne has active clubs for cricket (ladies & men), ladies football, men's football and rugby (ladies & men). Spectators are welcome at training sessions and matches. The home base for most of these is the Pavilion. Please check their websites for days and times.

Clifton also has a cricket club.

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Golf

Ashbourne golf club hosts open tournaments several times each year, in various formats, too many to list them all individually here but details are on their website. The club also welcomes non-members on a PAYG basis - see the website for more information.

The U3A also has a golf group.

Hockey

For ladies: Ashbourne Hockey Club runs several senior teams and has a thriving junior academy.

For gents: ?? please tell us if you exist.

Martial Arts

Jureikido is at the leisure centre at 11 am on a Saturday. Phone 07862 559237 for more info.

PKA kickboxing is at the leisure centre on Tuesday evenings.

Tae-kwon-do is at the leisure centre on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Contact Tom on 01773 880278.

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Netball

Derbyshire Dales runs walking netball at the Leisure Centre on a Friday morning.

For conventional netball, then Ashbourne netball club is based at the Leisure Centre.

Other racket sports

Ashbourne Squash Club runs out of the leisure centre. They also do racketball.

The U3A has a pickleball session on a Monday morning. They also do table tennis on a Friday morning.

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Running

Ashbourne running club meets for a regular club event on Tuesday evenings at 7pm (start location varies). There is also an easier, shorter run on Thursdays at 6:30 almost always meeting on Shrovetide walk by the Library. Newcomers are welcome to attend on a trial basis before deciding whether to join the club.

Ashbourne ParkRun started in May 2022 - every Saturday at 9am on the rec - you need a barcode to take part. Walkers are also very welcome.

Sub-aqua

Ashbourne sub-aqua meet on Thursday evenings at the leisure centre and also arrange trips to diving sites around the country.

Swimming

The leisure centre has timetabled slots every day for non-members to swim on a PAYG basis.

Ashbourne swimming club welcomes non-members to try out the club for a couple of weeks before joining. Regular training is on Mondays, Wednesdays or Sundays.

Tennis

Ashbourne tennis club has a pay & play arrangement for non-members – please contact tem for more information.

There are also public courts in the recreation grounds, available first come first served.

On Thursday mornings DDDC runs a rusty rackets coaching session, booking essential by emailing sportsdevelopment@derbyshiredales.gov.uk

Triathlon

Ashbourne Triathlon club train at the leisure centre on a Tuesday evening, with open water and cycle training on offer as well.

They have sections for adults and for children.