Facilities and features
Accessibility
Our Building
19th century windows by William Morris & Co (1980); Heaton, Butler & Bayne (ca. 1875); and Clayton & Bell (ca. 1880). 20th century windows by Gerald Edward Roberts Smith (1883-1959), when he was head of Archibald Keightley Nicholson (1953); and Francis Skeat (1960). 21st century window by Flore Sivell, née Vignet (2001). More information at https://ashfordparishchurch.com/stained-glass/
Open during daylight hours.
Grade II-listed. Well-known for its "maidens' garlands", a poignant reminder of an old English custom: a garland was carried before the coffin of a maiden in her funeral procession, and afterwards displayed in the church – a privilege given only to virgins. Ashford is one of only a few places which have preserved these relics. The oldest dates from 1797.
Music and Worship
6-bell ring (tenor, 6cwt). The bells were made at various times from the early 17th century to 1966, and the oldest three were recast in 1945. To aid training, the bells are fitted with a modern computer simulator and a remote silencing mechanism, and the louvers on the tower windows can be opened and closed electrically. In addition, there is a small ‘sanctus’ bell which dates from before the Reformation of 1517; this is often chimed during the prayer of consecration in the Holy Communion service.
Built by J Housley Adkins of Derby in 1926. When installed it was blown by hand, but a new electric blower was added in 1946. It was restored and enlarged by Henry Willis & Sons in 1966, and overhauled and enlarged again by Chalmers & Hyde in 1983. It employs a variety of actions (exhaust pneumatic, tracker and electric).
Ashford’s four-part robed choir helps lead the Sunday worship each week. Services regularly include Sung Eucharist, at which anthems are frequently performed. The congregation and choir are accompanied by one of two organists. Choir practice is on Thursday evening in church at 6.45pm.
Groups, Courses and Activities
Help for Visitors
Our VIRTUAL VISITOR CENTRE provides a variety of guided tours on visitors' own smartphones, highlighting items of interest, and providing 'what's on' information for both the church and village.
A variety of hard-copy guides are available for purchase, including short 1or 2-page themed guides, and a 19-page full-colour booklet.
Also available is a 2022 book that has as its central theme the story of the Victorian vicar – Revd John Reddaway Luxmoore – who served the small Peak District villages of Ashford-in-the-Water and Sheldon for half a century. It also tells the story of some of the villagers he knew, notably the Brushfield, Nadauld, Birley, Shore and Sterndale Bennett families; and his restoration of the church in 1878-1870. The Life & Times of John Reddaway Luxmoore (1829-1917): 'A revealing snapshot of a late Victorian/Edwardian country vicar wrestling with the issues of his times … equally good when describing the village of Ashford in Revd Luxmoore’s time … a model of local history research and narration.'
During daylight hours.