How to get to Tissington Craft Fair in Derbyshire
Tissington Craft Fair is a fully curated indoor artisan market that takes place regularly between April and October. Set in the picture postcard village of Tissington in the Peak District National Park, this hidden gem is well worth a visit. For anyone less familiar with the area, here is a handy guide on how to find us.
Where is Tissington Village?
Tissington Village is located in the south of the Peak District National Park on the main Ashbourne to Buxton road (the A515).
The village forms part of the Tissington Estate and is one of only around a dozen privately owned villages remaining in the country. The Tissington Estate has been in the family of Sir Richard FitzHerbert since the 1460’s and Tissington Hall, built in 1609, is centrally located in the village.
Easily accessible from many of the major towns and villages in the Peak District, Tissington Village is approximately:
3.5 miles / 10 minutes from Ashbourne
13 miles / 25 minutes from Bakewell
15 miles / 30 minutes from Belper
17 miles / 30 minutes from Buxton
16 miles / 35 minutes from Leek, Staffordshire
12.5 miles / 30 minutes from Matlock
8.5 miles / 20 minutes from Wirksworth
Travelling by car and where to park
Main Entrance
Tissington Village is only around a 10 minute drive from Ashbourne, on the A515 to Buxton. You will see the village signposted close to the main entrance. As soon as you make the turn, you will drive between the pillars and over a cattle grid. Just follow the road straight ahead and when you go over the next cattle grid, take the next left turn and then left again. Herbert’s Fine English Tearoom followed by Tissington Hall are on your left. Opposite Tissington Hall on the right you will find a gravelled area with free parking for up to 2 hours.
Alternative Entrance (also via the A515)
Approximately half a mile from the main entrance in the direction of Buxton, there is an alternative entrance into the village. You may be directed in this way particularly if travelling from that direction and using Sat Nav. Follow the single track road straight ahead and you will go past Tissington Hall on the right with free parking available for 2 hours on the gravelled area opposite.
Alternative entrance via the ford
If you are travelling from the direction of Matlock/Cromford and particularly if using Sat Nav, you may be directed into the village by turning right and going through the ford. This is usually passable and there is enough space for vehicles to drive down and assess the height of the water and turn around if necessary. Once through, simply follow the road straight ahead for approximately 1.5 miles. As you come down a slight hill into the village, you will see the village pond on your left and Tissington Village Hall (the venue for Tissington Craft Fair) is directly opposite.
If there has been a lot of rain, it may be safer to avoid going through the ford (or you may just prefer an ever so slightly longer drive). If so, just continue along the road and you will come to a give-way right next to the Bentley Brook Inn. This is the A515 and you should turn right, which will take you through Fenny Bentley with the main entrance to village being approximately 1 mile further along on the right.
Travelling by bus
There are two bus services which run from regularly between Ashbourne and Buxton; High Peak 441 and 442 services have 3 allocated stops in the village. These can be found just inside the main entrance, at the tourist information shelter (approximately 50 yards from the village pond) and there’s a lovely stop just outside Tissington Craft Corner.
The closest stop to Tissington Craft Fair is the second stop at the tourist information shelter. In case of any queries on the best place to alight, just ask the friendly bus drivers who are always happy to help.
Travelling along the Tissington Trail
If you prefer to travel on foot or by bike, the 13 mile Tissington Trail runs from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne and offers a relatively flat, safe and very relaxing route into the village. If required, you can hire a bike from places such as The Bike Barn in Ashbourne.
As you leave the trail at Tissington, there is a designated car park which has a snack kiosk selling a variety of food and drink as well as puncture repair kits! If you then make your way from the car park via the only exit up the hill then turn left at the top, you will immediately come down a slight hill into the village with the village pond on your left and Tissington Village Hall directly opposite.
Where is Tissington Craft Fair?
Our venue, Tissington Village Hall, is located directly opposite the village pond. It’s free entry and well behaved dogs are always welcome inside the village hall, meaning the whole family can meet our makers.
Assuming you are in the centre of the village having just parked up opposite Tissington Hall, follow the lane past Herbert’s Fine English Tearoom and as you approach a fork on the road, keep left. You will then see the village pond in front of you next to Tissington Kindergarten. Tissington Village Hall is directly across the main road opposite the pond. You will spot our Tissington Craft Fair A-Board on the grass bank outside the village hall when the artisan market is open. You may also have spotted our other Tissington Craft Fair A-Board on the grass bank opposite Herbert’s Fine English Tearoom as you walked by.
To find our more about our artisan markets, why not visit our events page. You’ll find a full list of our upcoming dates along with our opening times. You can also plan your visit by learning which makers will be joining us at which markets and remember, there’s a different selection of makers each day so it’s well worth visiting more than once!
Accessibility
Although there are steps up to the main entrance of Tissington Village Hall, alternative access is available for those with restricted mobility and wheelchair users. The entrance is signposted and access is via the path down the right hand side of the building, which also leads to St. Mary’s Church. Disabled toilet facilities are also available in the village hall.
A visit to remember
So wherever you’re visiting from and however you choose to travel, the location of Tissington Village means your journey is sure to be enjoyable and relaxing with a vast array of stunning scenic views around every corner.
With several family run businesses located in the village as well as our unique artisan market, it’s the perfect destination for anyone wishing to shop small. Please see our Tissington Village page to find out more about what this picture postcard village has to offer and if you’re looking to stay in the area, why not take a look at our recent blog Places to Stay: Some of the Best Self Catering accommodation near Tissington.