Area Guide: South Derbyshire
Why live in South Derbyshire
Located in the heart of England, South Derbyshire has everything to offer. Stunning scenery dotted with picturesque and historic villages make up this part of the county. It is also at the heart of the National Forest, where in the last 10 years, over 6 million trees have been planted. Villages in this area include Netherseal, Overseal, Lullington, Coton-in-the-Elms and Walton-on-Trent.
Moving further north is the beautiful and historic town of Melbourne. Set in delightful countryside with Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold nearby, the villages around it include Ticknall, Swarkestone, Stanton-by-Bridge, Kings Newton and Breedon-on-the-Hill.
There is a beautiful area of countryside just north of the A50, west of Derby and south of Ashbourne, dotted with charming little villages with a very rural feel and yet within easy commuting distance of Derby. Villages such as Church Broughton, Somersal Herbert, Marston Montgomery, Longford, Longlane, Yeavesley, Cubley, Thurvaston, Rodsley, Roston, Hollington, Shirley, Norbury, Alkmonton, Radbourne, Lees, Trusley and Ednaston.
Ashbourne itself is one of Derbyshire’s finest market towns combining historic buildings with a wealth of high quality shops. Lying in a lovely green valley there is a cobbled market square and what is considered to be one of the finest streets of Georgian properties in Derbyshire. Well known for its two day Shrovetide Football Match and its gingerbread, Ashbourne is the gateway to the southern tip of the Peak District. Famous for the scenery are Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud. Beautiful villages around there are Mappleton, Thorpe and Kniveton.
Moving further east is the desirable village of Duffield, popular with commuters to Derby. Villages in the area include Hazelwood, Mugginton, Brailsford and Idrigehay.
History
Bonnie Prince Charlie proclaimed his father King of England in Ashbourne. Queen Victoria and George Eliot were also visitors to Ashbourne.
Famous people
Bess of Hardwick – renowned for being one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in the country, second only to Queen Elizabeth I
Florence Nightingale – came to prominence during the Crimean War for her pioneering work as a nurse
Henry Royce – co-founder of Rolls Royce Ltd
D H Lawrence – poet and writer
Ellen MacArthur – sailor
Thomas Cook – the fore-runner of modern travel
Isaac Walton – one of the most influential men in human history
Film and TV
Derbyshire has featured in many productions such as:
Peak Practice, Stig of the Dump, Nanny, The Full Monty, The League of Gentlemen, Jane Eyre, The Rainbow, Pride & Prejudice, Goodbye Mr Chips and The Chronicles of Narnia
Traditions
Ashbourne hosts a 2 day Royal Shrovetide Football Match.
Well dressing is one of Derbyshire’s best known customs and each year about 60 towns and village take part.
Property type
The southern area offers mainly red brick properties of all shapes and sizes such as cottages, village houses, farmhouses, manor houses and old rectories. The use of stone in properties start to feature once you go north of the A50.
Places of interest
- The National Memorial Arboretum
- The National Forest
- Chatsworth House
- Calke Abbey
- Catton Hall
- Shardlow Heritage Centre
- Conkers
- Tywcross Zoo
- Donington Grand Prix Collection
- Alton Towers
- Drayton Manor Theme Park
- Rosliston Forestry Centre
- Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre
- Tissington Trail
- Carsington Water
- Derwent Crystal
- Ashbourne to Buxton Railway
- Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre
- Dovedale
- Ilam Hall
- The Derby Silk Mill
- Sudbury Hall
Schools in the area
| Primary |
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The Lichfield Cathedral School
The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire
WS13 7LH
01543 306 176 |
Repton Preparatory School
Foremarke Hall, Milton, Derbyshire
DE65 6EJ
01283 703 269 |
Smallwood Manor Preparatory School
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire,
ST14 8NS
01889 562 083
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| Secondary |
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Repton School
Repton, Derbyshire
DE65 6FH
01283 559 200 |
Abbots Bromley School for Girls
Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire
WS15 3BW
01283 840 232 |
Abbotsholme School
Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
ST14 5BS
01889 590 217 |
Denstone College
Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
ST14 5HN
01889 590 484 |
Queen Elizabeths Grammar School
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
DE6 1EP
01335 343 685 |
Derby Grammar School
Littleover, Derby
DE23 4BX
01332 523 027 |
Derby High School
Littleover, Derby
DE23 3DT
01332 590 484
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