INTRODUCING THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF TISSINGTON

Last Updated on 6th July 2021 by Bejal

Tissington is a fine example of an unspoilt quaint English village located in Derbyshire, bordering the world renown, Peak District. It has a somewhat feel of grandeur to it as the village has an official entrance accessed off the main portion of Ashbourne Road through large lodge gates. Once inside the village there’s a manor house with tea rooms, stunning examples of typical village life, thatched limestone cottages to rent, a church, a fine eating spot in the form of a converted barn, the entry to a cycling trail and a proper old fashioned sweet shop! Oh and with a long standing history of well dressings, Tissington is a village that you will not want to miss.

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A little History

Entering via the large wrought iron gates of Tissington is rather like stepping back into time. Drive down an avenue of 200 year old lime trees and at the end be met by the village. On first glimpse, you will see the well manicured communal spaces and gardens of the villagers and limestone cottages from storybooks. The landscape is peppered with huge old trees, grass verges and stone work delivering an air of calm and relaxation but yet no over engineered and created by nature.

The village is predominantly managed by the Fitzherbert family (since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I) who reside in the elegant Jacobean Manor, surrounded by a walled garden, known as Tissington Hall.

The village has a number of micro-businesses including the barn which serves cream teas, light lunches, a butchers, a curtain shop, nurseries for gardeners, candle workshops as well as traditional sweet shop, where you can step back in time.

How to get to Tissington

• By far the easiest way to get to Tissington is by car but it has strong bus and rail links to neighbouring towns.

• Car: Follow the M1 and then A50 towards Ashbourne. Postcode for GPS : DE6 IRA

• Rail: Closest train station is Derby, following a local Trent Barton bus to Ashbourne and another local bus connection to Tissington Green.

• Bus: National Express is accessible from most locations to Derby, where you can change at Ashbourne and get a local Trent Barton bus to Tissington Green

• Airport: East Midlands and Birmingham are nearest to Tissington with onward transportation plans such as taxi, bus or car hire.

Where to Stay

Tissington has a number of beautiful limestone cottages and B&B accommodation to suit your stay and party size.

Butler’s Retreat ,Groom’s Flat, North Wing

These are apartments within Tissingon Hall and grounds, which you can use as a luxurious base to explore the surrounding Peak District.

• Address: Tissington Hall. Tissington Village. Ashbourne. Derbyshire. DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 352200
• Website: Tissington Hall Rooms

Cottages to Rent

The following cottages are also available for holiday lets and give the added privacy of a self-contained accommodation owned by Tissington Hall and set within the village, they provide a real taste of village life.

Gardeners Cottage – Sleeps 4: Have a peek and booking information

Hopper’s Barn – Sleeps 2: Have a peek and booking information

Nurse’s Cottage – Sleeps 2: Have a peek and booking information

Cottage Enquiries & Bookings: call 01335 352200

Fire Brigade Barn

Located opposite the pond in the village and offering self-catered dwellings for four people. The property is newly renovated.

Barn Enquiries & Bookings : 07891 529289/01335 324913

Looking for alternative accommodation in the area? More Tissington area hotels and lodgings

What to see & do

St Mary’s Church

Built in the 12^th century, St Mary’s Church rises on a steep hill above the main road through Tissington with a stream that flows near the churchyard entrance. It consists of a Norman Tower, which has four foot thick walls with a beautifully preserved doorway.

Inside the church itself is a 17^th century Baroque style memorial to the FitzHerbert family.

The pillars of the doorway have grooves where archers sharpened their arrows prior to archery practice. This was a skill encouraged as following the Black Death, there was a shortage of experienced bowman.

• Address: 3 The Green, Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 664132
• Website: St Mary’s Church

Tissington Hall

Tissington Hall was built in 1609 by Francis FitzHerbert to replace the moated fortification that guarded the Norman Church of St Mary’s in the centre of the village. For over 400 years the Hall has presided over this picturesque Estate Village which is five miles north of the delightful market town of Ashbourne at the southern tip of the Peak District.

Sir Richard inherited the estate and hall in 1989. He lives there with his family. Tissington, with its rich history dating back to the eleventh century, is unique in that it is one of only 300 homes in the country that can boast the fact that the descendants of the original builder still live there, 400 years later.

Peruse the numerous wings of the house and book worms have a look at the 3,000 plus books the family have collected in the library over time. There are also the stunning grounds and gardens to discover.

Be-lavie Tip: Tissington Hall is part of Historic Houses, You can find out more about memberships and inclusions.

• Address: Tissington Village. Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 352200
• Website: Tissington Hall
• Opening Hours: See website for details as opening is seasonal.
• Personal Tour: Sir Richard offers personal tours on certain dates
• Group Tour: These can be available for societies or other groups

Tissington Trail

The lovely 13 mile Tissington Trail can be accessed via Tissington, and joins up with the High Peak Trail that continues to Buxton. It’s especially popular with cyclists and walkers to admire the stunning countryside surrounding this part of the country.

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) between Buxton and Ashbourne first opened in 1899. Following the closure of the line around seventy years later, the Peak District National Park bought the route in 1971 and turned it into a traffic free trail for walkers and cyclists.

• The Tissington Trail runs for 13 miles from Parsley Hay (53.1706°N 1.7828°W) in the north to Ashbourne (53.0196°N 1.7397°W) in the south.
• National Cycle Network: National Route 68

The Pond

Spot Pretty Cottages

Stroll around the Village and see what you find

Well Dressings

Tissington has an annual well dressing festival which usually runs for seven days from Ascension Thursday each year (around May). Six wells around the village are dressed in fresh flower displays, which have been initially hand drawn and decorated intricately with the flowers. It’s a very popular time to visit with people flicking from all around the country.

Well dressings are thought to have originated as part of pagan festivals to give thanks for a reliable water supply. As time progressed the dressings started to be blessed and this custom often continues. The blessings usually take place on the first day the well dressing is placed on display. Well dressings also became associated with celebrating new water supplies to villages.

Website: Learn more about well dressings in Tissington

Micro-Businesses

Tissington is home to some lovely little businesses that you can support during your visit.

On a Wick & a Prayer

Manufacturers and designers of scented candles located in the Blacksmith’s Forge, you will also seem some unique Dovedale ceramics here.

• Address: The Candle Workshop, The Avenue, Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 390639
• Website: On a Wick & A Prayer
• Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00. Sat, Sun, Bank Holidays: 11:00-16:00

AJ Holmes Butchers

A traditional village butchers shop, that stocks fresh meat, pies and cheeses. Oh and it’s recommended to try the Tissington ‘old banger sausage’!

• Address: The Old Slaughter house, Chapel Lane, Tissington DE6 1RA Ashbourne, UK
• Contact: 01335 350186
• Facebook: AJ Holmes Butchers
• Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 09:00-16:00 Sunday 10:00-14:00

Tissington Nurseries

Located in the Old Kitchen gardens the nursery is run by experienced gardener, Mairi Longdon. Do pop in and see some of the beautiful plants and flowers that Mairi has nurtured.

• Address: The Old Kitchen Gardens, Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA
• Contact: Tel: 01335 390650
• Website: Tissington Nurseries
• Opening Hours: Open: 11:00-17:00 (March-Sept)

Tissington Kindergarten

A great place for the little people in your life. Tissington Kindergarten runs forest schools, tennis coaching for tots (2-4 years olds) amongst many other activities.

• Address: Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 350123
• Website: Tissington Kindergarten
• Menu: Main Menu
• Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 (term time only)

Places to Eat & Drink

Herbert’s Tea Rooms

Formerly the Old Coach House, Herbert’s Tea Rooms, the tearooms serve breakfasts, lunches, snacks, afternoon teas which can be enjoyed outside on the main space in front of the main road or in the quirky dining area filled with chandeliers and quirky interiors. Refer to their afternoon tea or regular menu below.

• Herberts & Herbert’s Tearooms, Tissington Village, Derbyshire. DE6 1RA
• Contact: : 01335 350501
• Website: Herbert’s Tea Rooms
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30-17:00

Edward & Vintage

Positioned at the bottom of Chapel Lane in Tissington is the 1940’s Edward & Vintage sweetshop and homeware store. It sells handmade ice-cream, delicious fudge, ginger beer and award winning rhubarb and custard.

Be-lavie Tip: caramel fudge and lemon curd ice-cream.

• Address: Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA
• Contact: 01335 390537
• Website: Edward & Vintage
• Opening Hours: 7 days a week through summer

A couple of Pubs Recommended by Locals

Here are a couple of recommendations by locals, within a miles walking distance of Tissington. Drop by for a friendly drink or hearty pub dinner with stunning views.

The Old Dog

• Website: The Old Dog
• Reviews: See what other people are saying about The Old Dog

Coach & Horses Inn

• Website: The Coach & Horses
• Reviews: See what other people are saying about Coach & Horses Inn

Other Things to do in the Surroundings

• Chatsworth House
• Bolsover Castle
• Visit Ashbourne
• Heights of Abraham

Next Stop: Further Reading

• Rockingham: A beautiful weekend escape in Northamptonshire
• Bisbrooke: A pretty Village in Rutland
• Exton: A Quintessentially English Village in Rutland
• Introducing Seaton: A Village in Rutland
• Harringworth: A Village in Northamptonshire

À bientôt

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