Hello, my darling tutus! It's Emma, and guess what? Today, I'm off to the gorgeous town of Ashton, nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, my very own county. Just me, my trusty steed (ok, it's a train!), and my magnificent Italian tutu, which you'll be seeing lots of, don't you worry! 😉
I've been absolutely aching to go on a day trip, you know, just soak up the sights, smell the fresh air (or in this case, smell the beautiful scent of roses from all the beautiful gardens!) and of course, indulge my inner ballerina with some fab ballet goodness. Ashton's not exactly known for its balletic pedigree, but it's bursting with charm, and charm's exactly what I'm hoping to catch!
As I gaze out of the carriage window, the countryside rushes past - rolling hills, patchwork fields, and sleepy villages. It's like watching a Constable painting come alive. It makes my heart sing! It's that kind of day, you know, the kind of day that feels like everything's a fairytale!
Oh, and have you seen the outfits people are wearing? Today, I'm channeling 'elegant but sassy', in a gorgeous flowing pink maxi dress, paired with a dainty white crochet cardigan - the ultimate spring vibe! I feel so stylish and confident, ready to sweep Ashton off its feet, one twirl at a time!
First stop, Ashton Court, a majestic 19th-century house with grounds that would make even the most jaded butterfly envious. I'm picturing the scene - grand halls, elaborate gardens, and of course, lots of delicious opportunities to take stunning ballet-themed photographs for the blog! (I think I'll use a rose as a prop!)
And the best part? A hidden gem I've been wanting to share with you for ages – a ballet school! Not just any school, my darling tutus, this one is legendary – the Ashton Ballet Centre, a place where dreams of pirouettes come alive. I hear their students are absolutely fantastic, and the classes have such a welcoming atmosphere! Maybe I'll join them for a drop-in session… what do you say, darlings? Let me know in the comments!
I just can't wait to get my pointe shoes on, feel that glorious energy, and revel in the art of dancing – something that never gets old! I hope you'll all join me, virtually, on this ballet-licious adventure. I'll be sure to share photos and snippets of my day!
*Later in the day… *
Wow, what a day! Ashton definitely lived up to the hype! Ashton Court was truly magnificent, and I spent a happy couple of hours just wandering the gardens, getting inspiration for my new Tutu of the Month competition! (Speaking of, the winner for this month is drum roll Sophie! Congrats darling! 🎉)
I had the most divine time at the Ashton Ballet Centre! The atmosphere was so welcoming, I felt instantly comfortable! Even though I didn't get to participate, watching the students rehearse was truly captivating. It made me want to throw on my own tutu and join right in! They are certainly ones to watch - I even caught a few performances. I took pictures of some of the fabulous dance moves they're working on and I'm sure I'll inspire a lot of new ballet fans amongst my dearest readers! 😉
And of course, what trip to Ashton would be complete without visiting the Ashton Canal? A gorgeous canal path that snakes its way through the heart of town, I love the atmosphere! It's just so tranquil and picturesque.
After that I decided to find myself a quaint little cafe for a spot of afternoon tea, as one should when one's had a grand day exploring! And let's face it, tea is practically a religious experience! Just picturing a fluffy pink cupcake and a steaming cup of English breakfast tea... swoon! I ended up at The Pink Pastry Cafe, of course! (How could I resist? The name practically calls out to me! ) It was just like something straight out of a movie, a quaint little spot filled with the sweetest of scents and delicious treats, all in the prettiest pink shades. I've added it to my ‘to-return’ list – I have a feeling I'll be enjoying many more tea-infused, tutu-worthy moments in that café!
It's not just the cafes that are delightful though. The architecture, the green spaces, the vibrant community… It all makes Ashton such a wonderfully uplifting place to visit!
Oh, I did make a little friends while I was out! An amazing couple, who also adore pink, tutus, and ballet! They told me the most incredible stories, all about Ashton and its history! I always feel so much joy from meeting people on my adventures, you know? It’s proof that everyone has their own unique dance in life, a dance that we can learn and grow from, together! 💖
And that’s it from me today. Time to slip into my comfy pyjamas, maybe with a ballet movie, or two, to really send me into dreamland. Don't forget, darlings, keep your heads high and let your tutu dreams fly!
Remember to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and let me know what you think! Until next time, I'm out! ❤️
P.S. Did you see the photos of Ashton Court's magnificent grounds?! I think my Instagram feed has never looked so vibrant! And check out the behind-the-scenes video of the ballet class, a real treat! It’s almost time for me to put the finishing touches on my new Tutu of the Month competition! So get those creativity juices flowing – I'm going to need a big dose of that! 😉
Have a splendidly sparkly evening, my dear tutu enthusiasts! 💕✨
