Ashford-in-the-Water

The Sheepwash Bridge is the village's best known sight and a scheduled ancient monument. It began as a narrow pack-horse bridge and was later widened, and beside it stands a gated stone sheepfold where farmers penned sheep before washing them in the river, a practice that carried on into the 1960s. Three bridges cross the Wye in the village, so it is easy to walk a short loop and see the water from several angles. The low parapet, the river and the cottage backdrop make this the spot where almost everyone stops for a photograph.

Holy Trinity church sits a short walk from the river and welcomes visitors. Its oldest part is a Norman tower, around 12.2 metres tall with walls up to a metre thick at the base, and the building includes fabric from about 1205 or earlier. Look for the Norman tympanum over the south doorway, the late-16th-century pillars in the north aisle, and four surviving funeral garlands. The church also holds examples of Ashford Black Marble, the dark polished limestone once quarried and worked locally.

From the bridge a gentle, flat riverside walk follows the Wye and suits families and anyone wanting an easy amble rather than a climb. The village works well as a base for longer walks in the surrounding dales and the wider Monsal area, which lie outside the village itself. Back in the centre there are pubs, a hotel restaurant, a traditional tea room and a village shop, useful for a drink, a meal or supplies before setting off.

The lanes are narrow and the centre is tight, so drive slowly and expect to walk the last part of any visit. There is a parish-managed car park and public toilets, supported by an honesty box, which is the sensible option rather than squeezing onto roadside verges near the bridge. Sturdy shoes help if the riverside path is wet, and the village is small enough that little needs planning beyond where to leave the car.

• The bridge and the small centre can feel crowded at busy times, and photographs without other people take patience.
• Parking is limited, with traffic on the main road adding to the squeeze.
• The village is small, so it suits a short visit rather than a full day out on its own.
• Church access can vary from day to day, so an interior visit is not guaranteed.