Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>What a great name, right? Also known as just, Ashby, this market town in North West Leicestershire has pretty period properties, timber-framed buildings, a bustling centre, and the luscious National Forest on its doorstep. When night falls, there&#8217;s restaurants, pubs, takeaways, cocktail bars and even a micropub to explore. The town was also home to the much-loved author Sue Townsend&#8217;s fictional character, <em>Adrian Mole</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="755" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-at-76.png" alt="The tap at 76 Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire Best Place to Live" class="wp-image-51617" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-at-76.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-at-76-300x227.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-at-76-768x580.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Gap at No.76</figcaption></figure>



<p>For an epic Italian meal, head to <a aria-label="Zamanis (opens in a new tab)" href="https://zamanis.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zamanis</a> – it&#8217;s a local favourite and where possible food is sourced within a five mile radius. Sample some local ale at Ashby&#8217;s first micropub, <a href="https://tollgatebrewery.co.uk/the-tap-no-76/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tap at No.76</a>, set within a Grade II listed building, it&#8217;s a former café and sweet shop turned and bustling high street pub. The <a href="https://www.ferrersarmspub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrers Arms</a> do a great Sunday lunch with plenty of veggie and vegan options. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a clutch of indie shops in the area including womenswear boutique <a href="https://gooseashby.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goose</a>, plus <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LondonandHarley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London &amp; Harley</a> for menswear. They&#8217;ve even squeezed in an indie wine merchant, <a aria-label="Ashby Wines (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.ashbywines.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashby Wines</a>. Don&#8217;t miss <a aria-label="Ferrers Gallery (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ferrersgallery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrers Gallery</a>&#8216;s collection of unique&nbsp;handmade gifts from British artisans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/451497134_18306076690082532_700296694124118984_n.jpg" alt="Bluestone Fitness Ashby de la Zouch spin class" class="wp-image-51738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/451497134_18306076690082532_700296694124118984_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/451497134_18306076690082532_700296694124118984_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/451497134_18306076690082532_700296694124118984_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/451497134_18306076690082532_700296694124118984_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bluestone Fitness</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s plenty of choice for those seeking to attain peak physical fitness, try the super slick <a href="https://www.bluestonefitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluestone Fitness</a>, where you&#8217;ll find cardio, weights and plenty of group classes to join in with including yoga and pilates. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.fitnessrepublic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fitness Republic</a>, where you&#8217;ll find a welcoming, fun, friendly and social environment to work out in, with Box Fit, Zumba and Spin among others and, for the really hardcore, there&#8217;s <a href="https://stormehub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CrossFit</a>. <a href="https://www.vitalizephysiotherapy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vitalize</a> offer physio, sports massage and acupuncture. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://willesleypark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willesley Park Golf Club</a> for some sociable outdoor exercise in tree-lined surroundings. There are several GPs and dental practices in town too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Whatever your interests, there&#8217;s probably a club or society for you in Ashby, from art club and am dram to big band and from football, cricket and basketball to ballet and salsa, social activities and in no short supply. The Venture Theatre is owned and run by the Ashby Dramatic Society and is a big presence in the community. There&#8217;s also a library offering a number of activities for babies and pre-schoolers and, of course, a lovely bunch of local festivals too (see below). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p><a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ashby-de-la-zouch-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashby Castle</a> is a former manor house that was actually pimped up by Lord Hastings. You can still climb to the top of the half-ruined tower and walk the underground passage. <a href="https://www.stauntonharoldestate.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Staunton Harold Estate </a>is open to visitors all year, with regular events and happenings too. <a aria-label="Moira Furnace Museum (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationalforest.org/visit/attractions/moira-furnace-museum-and-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moira Furnace Museum</a> is set in a country park where you can also jump on a boat and cruise down the Ashby canal in summer. Elsewhere, <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/hicks-lodge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hick&#8217;s Lodge </a>was once a former coal mining site but has been totally transformed into a cyclist&#8217;s dream and a haven for&nbsp;wildlife enthusiasts. Families will love indoor/outdoor adventure site, <a aria-label="Conkers (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.visitconkers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conkers</a>; tucked away in the National Forest it includes play areas, discovery zones, an amphitheatre and in December it becomes a magical Winter Wonderland. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/leics/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2021/06/wild-rumpus-timber-festival-leicestershire.jpg" alt="Timber Festival Leicestershire" class="wp-image-26122" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Timber festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>Every July, three-day forest fest, <a aria-label="Timber (opens in a new tab)" href="https://timberfestival.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Timber</a> comes to town. The event brings to life the National Forest with arts, music, debate, workshops and outdoor activities.<em> </em><a href="https://www.fakefestivals.co.uk/events/2022/Ashby-De-La-Zouch.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fake Festival</a> is a tribute-based festival that usually takes place in the parkland area known as Bath Grounds and the annual month-long <a href="https://ashbyartsfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashby Arts Festival</a> features local artists, musicians, song writers, poets, performers and story tellers and events take place across the town.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>An overall average price of was £318,942. Detached homes fetched 412,195, meanwhile semis sold for £265,537 and smaller terraced homes £249,727.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/Ashby-de-la-Zouch-Howkins-and-Harrison.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-45453" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/Ashby-de-la-Zouch-Howkins-and-Harrison.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/Ashby-de-la-Zouch-Howkins-and-Harrison-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/Ashby-de-la-Zouch-Howkins-and-Harrison-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This beautifully renovated 4-bed farmhouse in Ashby comes with inglenook fireplace, built-in bread oven and beautiful views. <a href="https://howkinsandharrison.co.uk/property/willesley-lane-ashby-de-la-zouch-le65/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £720,000</a>. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES </h2>



<p>Kids will love the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.incrediblekidsdaynursery.co.uk/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.incrediblekidsdaynursery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Incredible Kids Day Nursery </a>which goes all the way up to pre-school. While it&#8217;s in a business park, that doesn&#8217;t take away from the cosy and welcoming environment and there&#8217;s still plenty of surrounding green space in their outdoor area. Meanwhile, a few minutes drive away, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://donisthorpe.kingfisher-daynursery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Day Nurseries</a> has a sand pit and plenty of messy play areas waiting for little ones and spacious rooms for everyone up to pre-school.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a aria-label="Dixie Grammar School  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dixie.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dixie Grammar School </a>is around a 15 min drive and take kids from nursery right through to Sixth Form. <a href="https://lsf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The&nbsp;Loughborough Schools Foundation</a> is a few miles further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Next time the sun is shining, take a trip to <a aria-label="Hood Park Lido (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/ashby-leisure-centre-lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hood Park Lido</a>. Cool down in their outdoor pool – it&#8217;s the only one in the county.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s no local train station &#8211; a cause for complaint for many locals but the town is at the end of the M42, so there are good car connections. The nearest stations are Burton upon Trent (20 mins drive) or Leicester (40 mins). Alternatively, it&#8217;s a 20 min drive to the M1. </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Ashby-de-la-Zouch

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