With a population of just 159 Tissington is a quintessential English village in the heart of Derbyshire and on the southern edge of the Peak District National Park.
At the heart of the village is the duck pond which is surrounded by Saint Mary’s Church, cottages, Herbert’s Tea Room and farmland.
It is said the tradition of well-dressing began in Tissington whereby springs and water sources are decorated with flowers and petals around the time of Ascension Day though the origins of the festival are debated. Some say it was a pagan custom, others an offering to the gods for a reliable water supply and others still celebrating the purity of the water after the Black Death of 1348. The festival is still celebrated to this day as with much of Derbyshire.
Getting to Tissington is simple. Enter the village through the main gate along the A515 Ashbourne-Buxton road on the western side and drive down the lane for perhaps 300 yards. For the slightly more adventurous you can approach from the east from the B5056 over the ford.
Tissington Hall
Sitting on the northern side of the village and without doubt one of the main attractions of the village is Tissington Hall, owned and run by Sir Richard FitzHerbert whose family have lived in the property since 1609. The Jacobean hall is open for personal tours and group tours with a minimum of 15 people.
It is also a superb venue for weddings making Dovedale Manor and the Coach House ideal accommodation for guests and large groups.
Tissington Trail
The Tissington Trail follows the 13 mile (21km) former Buxton-Ashbourne mining railway winding its way from Ashbourne on the southern edge of the Peak District northwards to where it joins the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay. Now converted into a Peak District National Park trail it is ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to spend many an hour outdoors in the wonderful national park.
Bicycles are available to hire from Ashbourne Cycle Hire 4.5 miles to the south and Parsley Hay Cycle Hire 8.5 miles to the north.
The Limestone Way
The Limestone Way, a 46 mile (74km) waymarked path running from Castleton in the Derbyshire Dales’ north to Rocester in East Staffordshire, also passes through Tissington. A fairly easy, undulating walk it’s ideal to explore the spectacular scenery of the Peak District. Why not bring your walking boots and set out in either direction during your stay?