With the advent of new railways in the 1840s, Ashbourne’s coaching traffic collapsed. The town declined economically, becoming virtually fossilised as the Georgian town which survives today. A branch line from Uttoxeter opened in 1852 and later extended to Buxton in 1899.
The major employers were the ‘stay works’ or corset factory, which was erected in the 1860’s, small malthouses and clockwork foundries. Much of the population lived in terraced cottages in the many ‘yards’ such as Coxen’s Yard or Tiger Yard behind the main streets. In 1851 the town had some 35 -inns and public houses for a population of about 3,500. New institutions were built, including a Gas Works, a Police Station and Lockup, a Poor Law Workhouse, several Nonconformist Chapels and a privately sponsored Town or Market Hall.
© The Ashbourne Partnership