ASHBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE
Grid Ref: SK 176 464
21 Sept 2005
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| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School |
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Plaque on School |
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| The Mansion on Church street |
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Grey House, Church Street |
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| Plaque in Church Street |
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Pegg's Almshouses of 1669 |
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| Owfield's Almshouses, Church Street |
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Plaque on Owfield's Almshouses |
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| Entering the Market Square |
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The George and Dragon |
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| Facing the Market Square looking towards St. John's |
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St. John's, Ashbourne |
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| The Town Hall |
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Part of the Market Square |
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| The Gingerbread Shop, St. John's Street |
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Ashbourne Clock, St. John's Street |
St. Oswalds is at the end of Church Street, which Pevsner describes as one of the finest streets in Derbyshire. Leaving the church one comes first, on the left hand side, to the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School founded in 1585 with building continuing until 1603. Next to the school is Grey House, dating from the mid 18th century, with a Roman porch and Venetian window. Almost opposite is the Mansion. This was the house of Dr. John Taylor, visited by the celebrated Staffordshire lexicographer, Samuel Johnson. The mid-18th century brick facade including a portico and a Venetian window were added to an existing 17th century house by Dr. Taylor in 1764-5. At the back are wings dating from 1685.
Further along the south side of the street, are Owfield's Almshouses of 1614-30. Running perpendicular to Church Street are Pegg's Almshouses of 1669. There are other fine properties in Church Street and at the end one comes to the Market Place and Victoria Square. The overall geography of the area suggests that the Market Square was formerly larger and encroachments from temporary stalls to permanent premises resulted in the current arrangment. The Town Hall, overlooking the square, was built in 1861. Not shown because it was in deep shade when I visited, is the Green Man and Black's Head Hotel, which was noted by Samuel Johnson's biographer, James Boswell.
Sources:
1. St. Oswald's Church, Ashbourne, A guide and short history, produced by The Friends of St. Oswald's Church and printed by J. M. Tatler and Son Ltd. Derby. This excellent booklet is available in the church at £2 in 2003.
2. Derbyshire Parish Churches from the eighth to eighteenth centuries, by John Leonard, Breedon Books, Derby, 1993, ISBN 1-873626-36-3.
3. The Buildings of England, Derbyshire, by Nikolaus Pevsner, revised by Elizabeth Williamson, Yale University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-300-09591-0
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