Plan Your Stay

When you are organising a short break, with family or friends, it is difficult to plan ahead for everything – so we have gathered some useful information and local services, to help make your stay at dove farm cottages, run as smoothly as possible. Dove farm is in the village of Ellastone, between Ashbourne and Uttoxeter. You can Find Us here, with local directions you can download.

Your first task is to gather everyone in one place! Here is essential information, on buses, trains and taxis.

Nearest train station Station Rd, Uttoxeter ST14 8AX.
Small, un-manned station in Uttoxeter.

A community line, served by trains on the Crew-Derby line. Often taxis waiting, but always better to book ahead. If you are waiting to meet up with others in your party; be reassured, it is a very short walk, into the town. Waitrose and its café ahead of you,  Wetherspoons a little further on. Tesco and its in-store Costa,  round to your right. At least you can do your waiting, in comfort with a coffee. Please don't feel you have to hang around at the station.

Nearest mainline station is Derby. Railway terrace, Derby DE1 2RU
Derby is well served by East Midlands Trains, with regular train services to London St Pancras. Sheffield, Leicester, Nottingham are approx 35 mins by train, from Derby.

If you are collecting someone from Derby railway station, allow approx 45 mins travel time from dove farm, taking the A52 route out of Ashbourne to Derby. If you are doing this journey on a Friday evening, add on extra time because you have to go through town centre, to reach station.

Uttoxeter Taxis
01889 569090
Reliable taxi and minicab service, inc wheelchair friendly vehicles

Uttoxeter Radio Cars
01889 566917
Stramshall, Uttoxeter. 
Excellent reviews. Often lady driver

Sami’s Taxis
01889 220500
Spath, Uttoxeter
Minibus taxi service

Oldfields Cars
01889 562299
Oldfields Rd, Uttoxeter

ST14 Station Taxis
01889 560000
24 7 Local Taxis Uttoxeter 07882 482483
friendly driver

Village Taxis of Ashbourne
01335 418080
Minibus available

Ashbourne Taxis
01335 345198
fleet of taxis and minibus hire.
Disabled friendly. 

There is a bus service, called the ‘Swift’ bus that operates between Uttoxeter | Ellastone | Mayfield | Ashbourne | Derby. 

Buses run approx. every hour, but evening services are limited. Later buses start or terminate at Mayfield, which is the next village along from us.

There are 2 bus stops in Ellastone – both along the main road – a short 5-10 min walk from dove farm. Ask for the stop nearest Dove St. If your driver is unsure, then the local landmark to ask for and look out for, is the Duncombe Arms Pub.

Check timetable here

supermarket food deliveries
If you are organising a short break or weekend break for a large group staying at dove farm, you may prefer to arrange a supermarket delivery on your arrival day. PLEASE use full postal address of the farm, when you complete your order.

Dove farm, Mill lane, off Dove St, Ellastone, Ashbourne Derbys DE6 2GY

The generic, pre-selected address for our postcode just says Dove Street – which can be confusing for a delivery driver trying to find the property. If you cannot edit the online order form, we suggest you add our full address at the end of your online order, as “special instructions”. Do not put names of cottages for deliveries. They are not recognised as postcode destinations.

Nearest corner shop
nearest, and very good local shop is SPAR on the High St in Rocester. ST14 5JU
2.5 miles away.  The village of Rocester is signposted at roundabouts by JCB lakes.
Open till 10pm every day

Supermarkets
If you prefer to do your main shopping, real time and in person, here is your choice of local supermarkets:

Uttoxeter
Tesco – superstore with in-store Costa. Brookside Road, ST14 8AU
Waitrose – large store with café. Trinity Road ST14 8AQ
Lidl – large. Town Meadows Way ST14 8AZ
Asda – medium. Off Carter Street ST14 7LG

Ashbourne
Sainsbury’s – medium. Coopers Mill, King Edwards St DE6 1BW
Co-op - small. Shawcroft centre and carpark DE6 1GF
M&S simply food – Clifton Rd, Waterside Retail Park DE6 1DG
Aldi – large store. Carnation Way (opp Waterside retail) DE6 1AY

Foodie treats
Even if you have your self catering sorted, it’s always lovely to treat yourself to a few local foodie treats – a cake perhaps, freshly baked bread or regional cheeses?
Denstone Hall Farm shop and café www.denstonehall.co.uk ST14 5HF
It’s your closest speciality destination – only 2 miles from dove farm 

Ashbourne bakehouse

29 Market Place DE6 1EU
Excellent breads and bakery produce, made with stoneground flour, sourdough and lots of love.

Bramhalls deli and café

22 Market Place DE6 1ES
Speciality treats and produce. 

Cheddar Gorge

9, Dig Street DE6 1GF
specialising in pies, cakes and cheese 

Mark’s family butchers

50 St John St DE6 1GH
access via Shawcroft car park. Award winning produce and locally sourced meat

There are various markets in our area, small and large, weekly and occasional.

Here are a few to take note of:
Uttoxeter
makers market. Artisan foods and crafted goods. 4th Saturday of the month
Leek
Farmers market and craft market. Every 3rd Saturday
Bakewell
Busy regular market on Mondays. Farmers market last Saturday of the month.
Substantial size markets. Park at Agricultural Business Centre and walk across into town

Supplement your self catering with home-cooked dishes by Sue. Order well in advance. Heat and serve yourself. Local business. delivery charge applies.  tel 07391 923404

Ann’s catering (run by husband and wife team Chris and Jane)
are regulars at dove farm cottages. Providing a good value dinner party or buffet menu with plenty of choice and served with a smile. Please verify prices before ordering, as their website has not been updated. tel 01889 562563

For something a bit special, talk to Karen at  Soiree catering Dinner parties to impress, beautiful buffets and sharing platters. Locally sourced ingredients. see website for sample menus. tel 07790 394123

For a bespoke and gourmet dining experience, try the Dinner party company, run by David and his team. Locally sourced. attention to detail. sample menus on website.  tel 01625 473 495www.thedinnerpartycompany.com

Whether you are going out for a special occasion evening meal, a big Sunday lunch, or family friendly meal deals, we have all sorts of ideas for you in our Eating Out guide. Takeaways and chip shops included!

Sometimes, good food and great company is all you need to make your weekend wonderful. But what if you are staying a little longer? or you need to keep your group entertained? We have collected a whole range of things to do and places to visit – from family days out to the best local attractions. If you want an organised activity for your party of family and friends, we have gathered plenty of ideas over on our  hen groups page. Lots of experience days and special treats to be had....for everyone, not just for hens!

Pharmacies

Boots Pharmacy
7 Horse & Jockey Yard, Ashbourne DE6 1GH

Lloyds Pharmacy
Ashbourne health centre, Clifton Rd, Ashbourne DE6 1DR

Tesco in-store pharmacy
Brookside Rd, Uttoxeeter ST14 8AU
open every day. Longer hours Tues – Sat from 06.30 until 22.30

Medical – when you need to see a doctor

St Oswald’s walk in centre. St Oswald’s hospital - DHU health Care
Clifton Road, Ashbourne DE6 1DR tel 01335 230000
Saturday and Sunday 08.00 – 16.00 Excellent and helpful service

The Surgery, Clifton Road, Ashbourne DE6 1DR www.thesurgeryashbourne.co.uk
Our family GP practice has a policy for non-resident patients.
Give them a call tel 01335 300588

Dentist

Ashbourne Dental Practice www.ashbournedentalpractice.co.uk
Townhead house, 58 The Green Rd, Ashbourne DE6 1EE tel 01335 345645

Oswald House Dental Practice www.oswaldhousedentist.com
7 Church St, Ashbourne DE6 1AE tel 01335 342509

TLC for smiles www.tlc-4-smiles.co.uk
30, Clifton Rd, Ashbourne DE6 1DT (park at retail park) tel 01335 348694

Our nearest A&E department is at
Emergency Department, Level 1
Royal Derby Hospital www.derbyhospitals.nhs.uk
Uttoxeter Road, Derby
DE22 3NE
tel 01332 340131 or 783111

if you need to call 999, please note that our community is served by a volunteer team of First Responders. Make your emergency call, and request First Responders to be sent. They will arrive before the ambulance

Sometimes pets need a little help too?
Both these veterinary practices are highly rated, with caring staff and a professional service. Both practices are located slightly out of town, with good parking. 

Blenheim Veterinary Centre

Airfield industrial Estate, Blenheim road, Ashbourne, Derbys DE6 1HA
tel 01335 342111 very welcoming with own out of hours emergency care

McMurtry and Harding

Clifton Rd, Clifton DE6 2GH. Entrance is on A515 near to roundabout
tel 01335 342227 part of a larger practice. own out of hours emergency service