Swadlincote is the main settlement in South Derbyshire and Melbourne perhaps the most picturesque, but wherever you go you will be greeted by friendly people, quiet roads and space to breathe.
Many of our towns and villages are intrinsically linked with the waterways and industrial past having developed as commercial crossroads, but if you explore further …
- Repton was the former capital of the Kingdom of Mercia and its church, St Wystans, is of national importance due its well-preserved Anglo-Saxon crypt. CB Fry the cricketer is buried behind Repton Church and Repton School was the film set for Mr Chips
- Etwall and Aston-on-Trent, both mentioned in the Domesday Book, are homes to annual Well Dressing ceremonies, unique to Derbyshire
- St Wilfrid’s Church in Barrow-upon-Trent has links with the Vikings and Templar Knights. Heritage Lottery Funding has just enabled a complete restoration of the building ready for you to explore
- Swarkestone is an important crossing point of the River Trent and Swarkestone Bridge the longest stone bridge in England. Grade I listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it was the point in 1745 at which Bonnie Prince Charlie’s men lost hope, abandoning their march to London to claim the throne for their master
There is so much to discover about the area and family names such as Harpur Crewe, Stanhope and Coke link the ever-evolving history to Parliament, Tutankhamun and the Norman Conquest of 1066!