Country Houses in and around Ashbourne

There are several country houses well worth visiting in and around Ashbourne.

Ilam Hall (near Ashbourne)

Ilam Hall is found near the picture box pretty village of Ilam, with stunning views of Thorpe Cloud and the Dove Valley. Lovely walks can be found in the grounds, and there is also a very nice tea shop with gardens just near to the national Trust shop.

Tissington Hall (near Ashbourne)

Located near Ashbourne is Tissington Hall, built by Francis FitzHerbert in 1609 to replace the moated manor house to the north of the church, it has served the FitzHerbert family as the main home for the best part of 400 years. Apart from the Hall are the stunning grounds and gardens which are open to the public all year round.

An equally stunning location is the village of Tissington, where you can wander along the lovely old main street, taking in the tiny church on the hill, and end a perfect afternoon with tea in the coach house tea rooms. Also to be found in Tissington is a candle making workshop where you can see candles being made and purchase unusual decorative candles to brighten up your home.

Eyam Hall (near Ashbourne)

Eyam Hall opened to the public in 1992, but it retains the intimate atmosphere of a much loved private home. Few houses offer such character and charm as Eyam Hall. Under the watchful gaze of the Wright ancestors' portraits you will visit the beautiful stone flagged hall, a unique tapestry room, the bedroom with a magnificent tester bed. Other rooms reveal costumes belonging to family members, precious artifacts and fascinating family mementos. Observant visitors may even come across the ghostly apparition of Sarah Mills, a young servant girl, who drowned herself in the well and still answers the night bell!

The walled garden, now open to the public, is nearing the end of a restoration project.

Sudbury Hall (near Ashbourne)

Near Ashbourne stands Sudbury Hall, a late 17th century house, also owned by the National Trust. Noted for its fine plasterwork and contains some fabulous interiors that include the superb Great Staircase. There is also a Museum of Childhood and a recreated Victorian schoolroom which is located in the stable block.