Carsington Water Makers Market
Located in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Make a day of it, indie style
Independent businesses near Ashbourne worth knowing about before or after the market.
Photo: The Knockerdown Inn
A beautifully renovated country inn near Carsington Water with a reputation for exceptional Sunday lunches and an excellent range of food throughout the week. The interior marries traditional charm with modern comfort, there's a children's play area outside and dogs are welcome in the bar. One of the best-regarded country pubs in the Derbyshire Dales. Open from noon daily.
“Beautifully renovated and maintained to a high spec, this pub marries the traditional charm of a country pub with the modern conveniences of a family friendly restaurant. I could have stayed here much longer yesterday when we had a delicious Sunday lunch of roast dinners. I had the pork roast, my...”
Photo: Ian Done
A warmly regarded village pub in Carsington, just a short walk from the reservoir car park. The Miners Arms serves exceptional Sunday roasts, pie of the day and pub classics with generous portions, a good range of ales including Murphy's on tap, and genuinely friendly staff. Dog-friendly and ideal for extending a market day with a proper country pub lunch. Open from noon daily.
“Great village pub only a short walk from Carsington water car park. Pub is nicely decorated inside, good selection of beers/lagers etc on tap (Including Murphys👍) Food was exceptional. Pie of the day was shredded beef in wine, which was very filled with beef and great wrapped pastry with mash ...”
Photo: The Old Dog
A character-filled country pub in Thorpe, the gateway village to Dovedale, around ten minutes from the reservoir. Dog-friendly throughout, with a solid range of real ales and a kitchen serving reliably good food — particularly the sausage and mash and the legendary crispy onion rings. A beautiful older-worldly pub with big outdoor space. Open from 11:45am daily.
“Excellent, friendly. We went on a busy lunch time but servers and food prep time were all good. Lots of dogs in the pub, which you’d expect (!) and our dog didn’t have loads of room to tuck into, but space was made and just a really present atmosphere all round. Food was good, not sensational...”
About this area
Places to go, see and play
Photo: Aija Dzene
One of the Peak District's most celebrated valleys, just ten minutes from Carsington Water. The stepping stones across the River Dove are a classic walk, with paths winding through dramatic limestone gorges, wooded hillsides and wildflower meadows for several miles. Free to visit and dog-friendly throughout — a beautiful addition to a market day in the Derbyshire countryside.
“A beautiful walk and place. Filled with nature and beautiful sights. The only downside to this place is the car park pricing, the lack of toilets nearby, the amount of tourism and the fact that it was flooded everywhere.”
A charming market town five minutes from the reservoir, with a medieval church, independent shops and cafes lining the Georgian main street. Ashbourne is the southern gateway to the Peak District and worth a wander before or after the market — the antique shops, delicatessens and independent bookshop all reward exploration. Free to visit and easily walkable.
Photo: Jane Eardley
The visitor centre at Carsington Water offers cycle hire, watersports, bird watching and a network of trails around the reservoir — including a full 8-mile perimeter walk with stunning views across the water. Mainsail Restaurant on the upper floor serves freshly cooked food from 10am. A complete day out in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside.
“Always Outstanding. Not only is the food always outstanding, but the service is also friendly and professional. The value for money just can not be beaten for the quality of products, not even adding in the spectacular view across Carsington. Highly recommend the daily roast dinner, early bird br...”
Places to Stay near Ashbourne
Make a weekend of it — find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses close to this market.
