St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne — Attraction in Derbyshire Dales

First, the positives. This pub is in a stonking location and continues to have a great atmosphere. I've been coming since I was a child (40 years now) and I never tire of the view from the beer garden of the railway and canal leading off down the beautiful wooded valley towards Froghall. As well, the beer selection seems to have only improved over time and that is to be commended. However, the menu seemed to have become somewhat narrowed and 'un-Staffordshire'. The lunch menu basically consisted of 'bostin-baps' neither of which are Staffordshire words. These are heartily filled, as the menu suggests, but I think quality was being sacrificed over quality. I had the cheese salad bap (which should be a cob up here) and found the cheese mild and tasteless. As a vegetarian, this was the only choice of sandwich available. Which is okay - I love cheese - but I do want it to taste of something! Now when oatcakes use to be on the menu you could have cheese and mushrooms. Yes, the cheese wasn't anything to write home about but the oatcakes were very tasty and the flavour of the mushrooms nicely complemented a mild cheddar. All this said, after 40 years visiting the pub in not going to stop coming but I may be bringing my own picnic to complement the excellent beer and wonderful...

Saint Oswald's Church, Ashbourne is remarkably old, having been started around 1220, about the same time as Salisbury Cathedral. It is grade 1 listed and is beautiful with its 212 ft. spire. It has some lovely stained glass windows including some of the 13th century and one in Pre-Raphaelite style by Christopher Whall. The eight bells are rung from the floor of the crossing using ropes which are 75ft. long. Note the touching white Carrara marble monument to Penelope Boothby who died in...

A really wonderful church. So much history and lots of useful information provided around the church. There is a children's treasure hunt available for free and a more grown up guide to help you find all the areas of interest.

The church was decorated with all the Easter flowers and it looked absolutely spectacular. The organ was being played throughout our visit which added to the majesty of our time there.

There were 2 portaloos in the grounds for visitors which were clean and...