Spotlight on: Living in Swadlincote

04/01/23

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Whether you’re looking to move to a new area or stay within the same region, having access to nature without sacrificing the convenience of key amenities can be an important requirement when looking for a new home. With a great shopping and eatery scene, located at the heart of The National Forest, Swadlincote is a different kind of place that has plenty to offer.

Nestled amid 33,000 acres of woodland and forest, Swadlincote is a 19th-century market town steeped in rich history with connections to the coal mining, pottery, and brick-making industries. From its industrial beginnings 460 years ago, today Swadlincote is the largest town in South Derbyshire, home to 150 retail and food outlets, surrounded by stunning sceneries, and with something to offer for every taste and lifestyle.

Becoming part of one of Swadlincote’s newest communities can be a truly unique opportunity. Not only will you enjoy your beautifully designed brand-new home, but you’ll also benefit from living in the fastest-growing residential area for new houses in the country^[1]. As the region continues to grow, welcoming new families from near and far, so have the infrastructure and local facilities, with three new schools expected to be added in Derbyshire this year^[2].

A well-connected town

Swadlincote is located close to large towns like Burton-on-Trent, which has extensive rail and bus links, and cities such as Derby and Leicester. The town is a short 5-minute drive from the M42, affording it quick access to England’s second city – Birmingham. East Midlands Airport is Swadlincote’s closest airport.

Living in Swadlincote

With the cost of living rising and considerable increases in our energy and everyday bills expected this winter, affordability can be an important factor when considering whether to move to an area. The monthly cost of living for a young family of three or a couple is estimated between £2,007 – £2,225 for 2022, but this may vary depending on your lifestyle. Additionally, an independent report shows that new home homeowners can save up to £2,600 per year on their energy bills.

Working and commuting

Whether you work in or around Swadlincote or be looking to commute further afield, Swadlincote is close to excellent travel links such as the M1, M42, A511 and A444. Renowned for its pottery and clay industries dating back centuries, today Swadlincote is home to some of the fastest growing small and medium engineering firms which support many sectors across the country and export to Europe. Derbyshire is also an important hub for the rail, aerospace, and automotive industries, with Toyota, Rolls-Royce, and Alstom all making significant investments in the county.

Providing a “Good” education

Swadlincote is home to over 10 primary and secondary schools with Ofsted rating of “Good”. Some of the primary schools providing excellent learning opportunities to the local pupils from reception to year 6 are the over 100-year-old Albert Village Primary School, Hartshorne Primary School, and St Edward's Catholic Academy. “Good” secondary schools in the area include Pennine Way Junior Academy and The Pingle Academy. Swadlincote and the surrounding area offer excellent nursery facilities for young families with little ones who are looking for reliable childcare near their homes.

Things to do

Whatever your lifestyle and hobbies, Swadlincote offers a range of activities suited for young families and those who love the outdoors.

It has plenty of opportunities to keep you active, whether you enjoy walking, running, or cycling and practice different kinds of sports. Right on your doorstep is the Swadlincote Family Golf Centre which offers well-reviewed learning and short-game facilities. Its activities are suited to both regular golfers as well as complete first-timers.

Swadlincote is one of the main towns within The National Forest with access to 200 square miles of ancient forests, newly planted woodlands, and beautiful water features which all come together to create a green oasis right at the heart of the country. The Forest guarantees the perfect day with the family filled with fun and plenty to do. Whether you prefer to walk in nature or explore the native flora and fauna, its array of walking trails will take you to the most magical of places, helping you to unwind and make memories with your loved ones.

Swadlincote has three award-winning parks: Swadlincote Woodlands Forest Park, Maurice Lea Memorial Park, and Eureka Park, which won the Green Flag Awards for 2022/23.

Swadlincote Woodlands Forest Park

Swadlincote Woodlands Forest Park is a modern urban park located just 20 miles from Eaton Grange. With 22,000 new trees, its 80 acres of woodland bring The National Forest right to the edge of Swadlincote town centre. The Park is dog-friendly, ideal for walks in nature, and spending quality time with your loved ones. Visitors can choose to explore its many arts and heritage features, including its must-see sensory sculpture trail, while children will love looking for conkers in the forest and exploring the playground. A network of forest trails and footpaths offers the ideal terrain for running, cross fit, and orienteering.

Maurice Lea Memorial Park

Maurice Lea Memorial Park is another picture-perfect spot in Swadlincote. It was gifted to the district by a local entrepreneur, Herbert Lea, in remembrance of his son Maurice who was killed in France during the First World War. The park was restored in 2005; it is open 24/7 and equipped with an array of modern facilities for the local community to enjoy. If you’re a sports enthusiast, you can choose from a crown bowling green, three tennis courts where anyone can play for free, a netball court, and a full-size football pitch. The park has something for everyone with a further outdoor table tennis facility, a floodlit multi-use games area, a children’s play area, and an outdoor gym. Each year in July, the park hosts a free two-day Festival of Leisure which fills the park with stalls, rides, activities, bouncy castles, and local groups performing and, in September, there is a scarecrow trail for all ages to enjoy.

Eureka Park

The Eureka Park was developed from a simple recreation ground during the 1920s and restored in 2014 with a Heritage Lottery Grant. The park is an excellent place for play and recreation boasting two junior football pitches, one netball court, two tennis courts, natural water play area, crazy golf, picnic tables, and a performance area. A programme is currently running to capture the park’s 'invisible heritage', which has been lost over time.

Swadlincote Snowsports Centre

For the more adventurous type, a large leisure facility and dry ski slope are situated five minutes away from the park. It provides a great opportunity for young and old for skiing, snowboarding, toboggan, and snow-tubing, and if you fancy a bite, overlooking the slopes, its fully licensed bar, and restaurant offers plenty of menu options.

Conkers Discovery Centre, just 2.6 miles from Swadlincote town centre, is another great park worth visiting with your little ones.

For those willing to travel a little further, Swadlincote is within easy reach of the historic Peak District and the Derby Dales. Interspersed with picturesque villages and bustling market towns, the Dales are home to many historic buildings, speciality shops and local produce to choose from. At the Peak District, visitors can enjoy guided walks, cycling, camping, horse riding, caving, fishing and air sports.

Shopping and dining

Swadlincote’s Pipeworks Retail & Leisure Centre houses 150 big-name retail outlets and independent shops. The 32,000-resident market town is home to a diverse selection of well-known high street brands and plenty of local businesses offering locally sourced products. The area also boasts plenty of places to eat and socialise, such as local Asian restaurants, coffee houses, afternoon tea spots, and the more traditional fish and chips.

Vintage shops with unique gifts and interior furnishings are easy to come by, as is a traditional sweet shop, where you can buy sweets from your childhood, family butcher, baker, florist, deli, pet shops, and haberdashery. A bustling market every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday provides access to a variety of organic, locally sourced produce, and an opportunity to support local businesses and farmers.

For the more special of occasions, Swadlincote has an excellent selection of modern restaurants and bars. From molecular cuisine to all types of wood-fired meat to Sunday roasts, tapas, or delicious cocktails, its five-star rated dining spots will leave you spoilt for choice and wanting to return again and again. Traditional pubs and carveries can be found on every corner, offering an excellent selection of British classics accompanied by artisan ale and cider from the region.

Further afield

Sharpe's Pottery Museum

Swadlincote is associated with many historical museums and sites which attract tourists from up and down the country every year. Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, situated in a unique grade II listed building, is a great place to start if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the town’s rich clay heritage from the past and discover what makes it unique today. The museum and visitor centre tell the story of the South Derbyshire pottery industry from the 16th to the 21st century. Ranked second in status for pottery manufacture, its exhibits will transport you centuries back to when pottery was the lifeline of Swadlincote and exported by local manufacturers in vast quantities to the US.

Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park

Just under 3 miles from Swadlincote is the village of Moira. Wander about the village and it won’t be long until you come across the Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park, and here you have it – the perfect day out to explore the local history, learn something new, and have some fun with the family. Dating back to 1806, Moira Furnace is the most well-preserved blast furnace in the country and an important landmark you simply cannot miss. Hidden inside is the museum which displays how the site would have looked over 200 years ago and offers plenty of trails and children’s activities throughout the year. Moira Furnace Museum is set in open parkland, alongside a stretch of the restored Ashby Canal. You can go on a beautiful heritage boat, The Joseph Wilkes, for an impromptu leisurely trip along part of the canal to enjoy some serene time in nature amid the rustling of trees and humming of birds.

Ashby De La Zouch Castle

Should you feel like seeing the world from atop, the 15th century Ashby De La Zouch Castle, just a short 12-minute drive from Swadlincote, provides some breath-taking aerial views and great picture opportunities. The castle boasts a colourful history narrated as part of a lively audio tour. And if you’ve never seen a castle within a castle – you can do so for the first time thanks to Edward IV’s Chamberlain Lord Hastings who added to the castle Hastings Tower, an impressive keep-like structure, alongside a chapel in the early 1470s. While in Ashby, other notable buildings worth seeing include St Helen's Church, a late 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic building, the Loudoun Monument on Bath Street, which goes purple every year to help fight polio, and the National Trust’s Staunton Harold Church, ideal for a picnic or a visit to the local cafes. If you fancy a change of scenery, Ashby also has a variety of locally owned and specialist shops alongside famous high street names. It has a vibrant nightlife and restaurants to suit all tastes, pubs hosting live music evenings, nightclubs, cocktail bars, and a theatre.

A place to call home

With a rich pottery history and a close-knit community of generations of families who called Swadlincote their home, the town is one of the region’s best places to live. Its excellent connectivity, healthcare, and education services make it an attractive location for those starting out in life. Unsurprisingly, its village feel carries a sense of belonging and a sense of pride. It’s an excellent place to start afresh and build a good future.

Explore our new homes in Swadlincote

Sitting above Swadlincote town, adjacent to a golf course our Eaton Grange development offers 2-4 bedroom homes.

Discover Eaton Grange

Sources accessed November 2022:

[1] https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/south-derbyshire-fabulous-place-live-6568896
[2] https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/school-burton-new-building-development-3412420