What’s going for it? I am not a football kind of chap. I barely know my Nobby Stiles from my Cristiano Ronaldo. But, if I were, this is the kind of footy I’d like to play. Ashbourne’s Royal Shrovetide match has been played every Shrove Tuesday for hundreds of years, and employs lots of elbows and a fair amount of handball, bunting, beer and clambering through the river. The whole town plays: the Up’ards (those living north of the river) versus the Down’ards. Ashbourne’s pretty, sloping, stone streets course for eight hours a day over two days with limbs, shouting and sweaty bodies. The point is to get the cork ball to one of two millstones at either end of town. But really, it’s the taking part. The event is an annual blood-letting for the town, which, soon after, reverts to normal – antique hunters peering through windows, pavements bustling with walkers off to the Tissington Trail, the whole surreal game just a dream for another 363 days.
The case against… Very little. It’s a delightful town, though pretty sleepy outside Shrovetide. The outskirts are increasingly troubled with new developments, with mixed results.
Well connected? Trains: no. Driving: well-placed on the A52, with Derby half an hour one way, and Stoke 40 mins the other – another 10-15 mins and you’re at the M1/M6; you’re at the foot of the Peak District, so wild hills are 15 mins away. Buses to Derby (hourly, 40 mins), or to Buxton (35 mins, hourly or every 2 hours).
Schools Primaries: Parkside Junior, St Oswald’s C of E Infant and Ashbourne Hilltop Infant are “good”, says Ofsted; as are nearby Henry Prince C of E First. Secondaries: Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar is “good”.
Hang out at… Bramhalls’ Deli for posh provisions, White’s for arguably the best food, and in Fenny Bentley, the Coach and Horses for the best beer.
Where to buy There’s an old heart of sloping stone streets and nice 18th- and 19th-century town houses, with the odd Tudor and Stuart remnant. Nearby villages, such as Tissington and Ilam, are drop-dead gorgeous. Lots of new-build estates popping up on the outskirts, such as Saxon Fields. Large detacheds and town houses, £300,000-£550,000. Detacheds and smaller town houses, £180,000-£300,000. Semis, £150,000-£300,000. Terraces and cottages, £110,000-£230,000. Flats, £100,000-£200,000.
Bargain of the week On the edge of town, a three-bedroom semi for £129,950, with Draycotts, via onthemarket.com.
From the streets
Nathalie Quigley “It’s a great location for accessing the lovely villages and landscapes of the national park. Lots of independent shops, coffee shops and restaurants.”
Arthur Watts “Stunning countryside; welcoming, friendly people. Desperately needs a bypass, as it’s frequently choked by lorries and tourists.”
Live in Ashbourne? Join the debate below.
• Do you live in Hither Green, south-east London? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 7 February.
