After a lovely break in Bude, I returned to South Derbyshire feeling refreshed and ready to get back out and about—but, as usual, there was no gentle easing back into things!
While I was away, I naturally found myself visiting other tourist information centres. Even on holiday, I can’t resist having a look at how other areas welcome their visitors, promote their attractions and display their information.
I picked up leaflets, studied displays and came home with lots of ideas. What made me laugh was that the tourist information centres also provided local bus timetables. It seemed that the number 4 bus, which had already caused me so much confusion at home, had followed me all the way to Cornwall and was still haunting me!
Don’t worry, though—we now have updated bus timetables available at the Visitor Information Centre at Number 1 High Street, Swadlincote. We have also received the latest Roberts Coaches brochure, so whether you are travelling locally or planning a coach trip farther afield, pop in and see us. We have got you covered.
Trying something completely outside my comfort zone
Who in their right mind, at my age, agrees to take part in a slip-and-slide water activity?
I am scared of almost everything and was more or less forced into taking part. Yet there I was, wearing my first-ever wetsuit and preparing to throw myself down a very wet and slippery course.
To my complete surprise, I absolutely loved it! Once I got started, there was no stopping me. I was sliding along, laughing and thoroughly enjoying myself.
Perhaps this newfound bravery will last long enough for me to tackle the climbing wall at Green Bank Leisure Centre—the one I have conveniently been putting off!
Green Bank Leisure Centre – Everyone Active
I can’t swim either, so perhaps swimming lessons should be next on the list. First a wetsuit, then the climbing wall and possibly swimming lessons. Who knows where this sudden burst of courage might lead? Tobogganing at Swadlincote Snow Sports Centre?
Snowsports Centre Swadlincote – Learn to Ski & Snowboard
Rediscovering Calke
After returning home, I was soon back out exploring South Derbyshire, and one of my first visits was to beautiful Calke.
Calke Abbey | Derbyshire | National Trust
Sometimes we become so accustomed to having wonderful places on our doorstep that we forget to slow down and appreciate them properly. Calke is one of those places where you can visit repeatedly and still notice something new each time.
I enjoyed a walk through the grounds with friends and our faithful friends (dogs), taking in the landscape, buildings and atmosphere. Of course, no visit is complete without stopping for refreshments, so there was time for a welcome coffee and a sandwich too.
I also spent time chatting to one of Calke’s volunteer gardeners. Hearing from someone who works among the gardens and plants added another layer to the visit. There is always something new to learn when you take the time to stop, ask questions and listen to the people who know a place so well.
It is those personal conversations that bring our attractions to life. You don’t just see the gardens—you begin to understand the care, time and knowledge that go into maintaining them.
After all that walking and historical exploration, a visit to The Wheel Inn at Ticknall provided another opportunity to enjoy the local area. Our pubs, cafés and independent businesses are all part of the visitor experience. They are places to rest, enjoy something to eat or drink and talk to the people who make our villages feel so welcoming.
Exploring South Derbyshire isn’t only about visiting the major attractions. It is also about stopping for coffee, calling into a village pub, discovering an independent shop and speaking to the people you meet along the way.
Explore The National Forest | South Derbyshire District Council
My first Calke history trilogy
My first mini-history trilogy based on Calke was, I am pleased to report, a triumph and a learning curve!
Not only did I research and share some fascinating pieces of Calke’s history, but I also managed to master Facebook and Instagram well enough to keep all the information on the page and readable. This felt like an achievement in itself! There was a minor error still being investigated, but it has lead me to a potential conversation with someone who has spent a long time studying Calke Abbey and its people, so out of error will come good I hope watch this space for a potential coming together in our gallery space.
Social media certainly keeps me learning. Every post brings a new challenge involving sizes, layouts, photographs, reels, stories or text that suddenly decides it no longer wants to fit where I put it.
However, I am getting there, and it is wonderful to see people reading, enjoying and sharing our local-history features.
Do you follow Visit South Derbyshire on social media? We try to keep up to date of events on these pages, so if you want to do something or maybe you are organising something we can help promote please do let us know, either by our social media posts or through registering an event through our website.
Facebook – Visit South Derbyshire
You can find us on Facebook and Instagram, where we share local history, places to visit, walks, events, independent businesses and ideas for days out across the district.
Meeting our local businesses
Since returning, I have also continued visiting and speaking to local businesses. These conversations are an important part of understanding what is available and how we can work together to encourage more people to explore Swadlincote and the wider South Derbyshire area.
Curly Magpie Wonderful Shop was the first independent business to take up our offer of free shelving for local shops and created a beautiful display in the Visitor Information Centre that has been a joy to look at.
Curly Mapie Wonderful Shop owners, Leanne and Craig, have also reported an increase in footfall to their shop from customers wanting to purchase items they had seen in the Visitor Information Centre. This kind of feedback is exactly what this initiative is all about. Their wonderful display even had front page coverage on Swad Style for September.
Shops like Curly Mapie Wonderful Shop, along with our other vintage retailers, add something distinctive to the town centre, offering visitors a unique shopping experience they won’t find everywhere else.
Our independent shops, cafés, pubs and attractions all contribute to the personality of South Derbyshire. By visiting them, speaking to the people behind them and sharing what they offer, we can help residents and visitors discover more of what is right here on their doorstep.
Life at Number 1 High Street
Back at the Visitor Information Centre, the team has certainly been busy.
Myself, Lyndsay and Tina are the friendly faces you’ll meet at the front desk, welcoming visitors, answering questions and helping people make the most of their time in the area. Behind the scenes, Debbie, Sally and Julia provide valuable support, helping to keep everything running smoothly.
From restocking displays and sourcing local information to promoting events and attractions, there is always something happening at Number 1 High Street.
We are also delighted to welcome Tina to the team, who joined us last week. If you’re passing by, do pop in and say hello!
Every visitor brings a different question. Someone may need a walking route, a bus timetable, somewhere to eat, information about a local attraction or ideas for entertaining the family.
Sometimes the question is straightforward. At other times, it sends us on a mission—but finding the answer is part of what makes the job so interesting.
Discover Swadlincote Market
Swadlincote Market remains a proud part of the town centre, offering a variety of products, friendly faces and a traditional market experience. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, unique gifts, household essentials or simply enjoy browsing local stalls, there’s always something to discover.
We’re also keen to welcome new stall holders. If you have a business, craft, speciality product or local service you’d like to showcase, a market stall could be a fantastic way to reach new customers and become part of our thriving town centre community.
So, whether you’re interested in trading or just looking for somewhere different to shop, why not pay a visit to Swadlincote Market and see what it has to offer? Supporting local markets helps keep our town centre vibrant and unique. As well as our weekly markets on a Tuesday, Friday and Saturday we also have a monthly Quirky market, Bude also had something similiar, a great place for showing something different. I love supporting local artists and was most surprised when my husband had managed to get home a beautiful art piece made by a local Bude glass maker, its so important to support local artists and businesses dont you think? Where better sell and buy than at a quirky market?
Our summer Duck Trail
We have also reached the end of our summer Duck Trail, and I am genuinely rather sad that it is over.
Over the weeks, we welcomed so many lovely children and families into the Visitor Information Centre. The children arrived with smiling faces, showed wonderful manners and were incredibly enthusiastic about finding the ducks.
I am fairly certain that I enjoyed the trail just as much, Lyndsay says probably more, than they did!
One lucky winner was selected from all the completed entries, with the winning entry drawn by Chris Bailey our local star!! Congratulations to our Duck Trail winner, and a huge thank you to every child and family who took part.
Thank you also to the local businesses that supported the trail and helped make it such an enjoyable activity. It was wonderful to see families walking around the town, visiting the participating shops and discovering more of Swadlincote along the way.
Who knew that a group of hidden ducks could bring so much fun to the school holidays? It has all been completely quackers!
What is coming next? Heritage Open Days
There is still plenty to look forward to, including with Heritage Open Days in September, not sure what what they are? Never heard of them? Neither had I until working at the Visitor Centre so here is your quick overview:
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, taking place every September. Thousands of free events are organised by volunteers and community groups, giving people the opportunity to explore historic buildings, heritage sites and places that are not usually open to the public.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, talks, walks and special activities, all designed to celebrate local history, culture and heritage. Many participating venues that would normally charge for entry also open their doors free of charge during the festival.
Heritage Open Days is all about encouraging people to discover the stories, places and communities that make their local area unique, while helping to preserve and promote England’s rich heritage for future generation
As part of the Heritage Open Days, visitors can enjoy a fantastic programme of free heritage events taking place across South Derbyshire. The day will also see the official unveiling of our Sir Nigel Gresley Exhibition in the Gallery at the Visitor Information Centre, celebrating one of Britain’s greatest railway engineers. There are plenty of opportunities to discover the area’s rich history, including Swad Heritage Fest at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, featuring 1960s-themed memorabilia, activities and performances; guided tours of the historic Hartshorne Upper Hall; an exploration of village life through the records and curiosities of St Wilfred’s Church in Barrow-on-Trent; a chance to discover the fascinating stories and hidden treasures of Calke Abbey; visits to the ancient St Mary’s Church at Marston on Dove; and a guided walk uncovering the history and notable graves of Church Gresley Cemetery.
To be continued of course….
From the Cornish coast to Calke’s gardens, from coffee and sandwiches to local pubs and shops, and from wrestling with social media to sending families in search of ducks, it has certainly been a busy return from Bude.
Every conversation, visit and unexpected adventure gives me something new to share and reminds me just how much there is to discover in South Derbyshire. Sometimes, it’s only when you sit down with a cuppa and reflect that you realise what a special place it is.
South Derbyshire has so much to offer that it’s not just somewhere to visit for the day, it’s somewhere people should come and stay to fully experience all that the area has to offer. From heritage attractions and countryside walks to great places to eat, unique independent shops and a packed programme of events throughout the year, there’s always something new to discover.
Whether you’re a local resident or planning a visit, we’re here to help. We have plenty of information on events, places to stay, attractions, food and drink, so please pop in and have a chat with us at the Visitor Information Centre or visit our website to start planning your next South Derbyshire adventure.
Places to Stay – Visit South Derbyshire
Food & Drink – Visit South Derbyshire
Things to Do – Visit South Derbyshire
What’s On – Visit South Derbyshire
Now, will I really brave the climbing wall and those swimming lessons?
Watch this space!
Take Care Teresa x
