Blog Post #9442 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello my gorgeous darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite tutu-wearing, ballet-loving, pink-obsessed blogger, and guess what?! I’m back with a brand new blog post! Today’s all about Ashton, a delightful little town nestled in the heart of Greater Manchester, and my latest adventure in a (drumroll please!) sparkly pink tutu.
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, I do love exploring the picturesque towns and villages of the Peak District. But recently, I’ve been feeling a real urge to explore further afield, to discover the hidden gems scattered throughout the UK, and let me tell you, Ashton is definitely a gem!
I took the train there, naturally! I've always been a train enthusiast, and there’s something utterly charming about sitting by the window, watching the world go by, feeling the rhythm of the tracks under you, a feeling reminiscent of ballet in its own way, don't you think?
As soon as I arrived, I was instantly captivated. The Victorian architecture, the cobbled streets, the quaint cafes - Ashton is just brimming with character. I couldn't wait to start my little tutu adventure! I even spotted a flock of pigeons, they just seemed to adore my sparkly tutu, pecking at the shimmering sequins as if it were a delicious piece of cake! It really tickled my fancy - who knew birds loved pink as much as me?
But my day wasn't just about admiring pretty buildings and fluffy feathery friends. The real highlight had to be visiting the magnificent Ashton Old Baths. Honestly, it's an absolute architectural masterpiece! I mean, how incredible is a Victorian-era bathhouse, with its glorious high ceilings, stunning tile work, and an echo that makes you feel like you're stepping back in time? Imagine my delight when I found out there are still bath houses from the victorian era around. How fun! I thought how exciting it would be to dress up like a Victorian lady and spend a long afternoon indulging in a lovely warm bath in the magnificent Ashton Baths with a cup of tea and some pink cake. What a delight it would be. Maybe even dance around in my pink tutu whilst I wait! It'd make for some pretty Insta-worthy shots!
Of course, my tutu didn't stay confined to the bathhouse. I even took a spin on the local vintage carousel. You know me, I can’t resist a bit of fun. This was the first carousel I’d ever seen where the horses were painted a vibrant magenta and each one was wearing a dainty pink tutu, I can’t tell you how much I just loved this detail. It was just SO me!
Oh, and the cherry on top? I finally managed to snag a genuine, authentic Victorian teapot. Now, I know what you’re thinking – how does a teapot tie into ballet, right? But trust me, it’s a vintage beauty, so delicate and elegant. It makes the perfect addition to my collection of tutu-inspired accessories, and let's face it, every ballerina needs a touch of elegance, am I right?
Talking about vintage elegance, we all have to try a little bit of the old style. In particular, there's nothing that can replace a day spent wandering through charity shops in search of forgotten treasures. Ashton’s streets are crammed with the most delightful little charity shops, each one bursting with hidden gems just waiting to be rediscovered! Now, I’m not exactly known for my fashion restraint, so naturally, I left with a vintage locket, a delicate pair of coral earrings, and a dusty, but oh-so-chic, antique silver brooch. I swear the locket must have belonged to a vintage ballet dancer in the 1920s – the details on the front looked like swirling ribbons and rose petals and there was a little dancing ballerina in the centre, just begging for me to find her. Talk about synchronicity. The earrings I decided to wear to lunch later that day. It really completed the pink and vintage look!
You’ll never guess where I ended up having lunch. At an absolute hidden gem – the oldest sweet shop in the UK! Imagine - sweets, fudge, bonbons, and candyfloss – a complete and utter sensory overload, not to mention a total explosion of pink! You’ll find it just off the market square. And trust me, you have to check it out if you ever visit Ashton, and I urge you to go. Honestly, even the grumpy, bearded, middle-aged men were all smiles with a mouthful of fudge. They might have scoffed at the pink tutu (although I’m pretty sure some just liked the added sparkle), but the sweets just bring out a child in everyone! It’s so sweet, the sweet shop is right by the oldest bakery too - I have never been to such a delightfully traditional English town. Honestly, the shops are so gorgeous. The bakery had the most delightful selection of cakes and scones, but of course, as I was already covered in sprinkles from the sweets, and I had the tea pot nestled in my bag - my very own pink vintage afternoon tea experience - I just opted for an apple pie, because hey, a pink tutu deserves to enjoy the good things in life. Plus the bakery was practically on the way to my train back home. And no journey is complete without some food!
That brings me to the end of another one of my amazing pink-tutu filled adventures, Ashton, you have my heart! I will be back for sure, I am off to explore a little further in the North of England. Where will I go next? Tune in to www.pink-tutu.com tomorrow for more on my pink adventures and be sure to follow me on instagram (@EmmaTutuBlogger) for some impromptu live videos from my journey!
Until next time darlings!
Emma xx
