Swadlincote is the largest town in South Derbyshire, with a population exceeding 30,000. Swadlincote is known to its inhabitants as simply, "Swad" and is located about 3 miles from the famous brewing town of Burton-upon-Trent. During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the principal industries were coal mining, brick-making and the manufacture of clay products, including pottery.
Today, these activities have largely been superseded by a variety of engineering and manufacturing businesses and by service industries. Through improved road links, Swadlincote has attracted new residents from Birmingham and adjoining areas. Employment opportunities have been created at Toyota and other companies loke Bison which will be the largest concrete plant in western Europe, creating hundreds of jobs.
The Pingle School is a co-educational, comprehensive foundation school for pupils aged between 11 - 18 years. The school is over-subscribed; its roll is growing and now stands at 1380, of whom over 250 are in the sixth form
Swadlincote has a modern, pedestrianised shopping centre and plenty of free parking. Shoppers with mobility problems can obtain assistance from Shopmobility. Other facilities include an attractive park, Green Bank Leisure Centre (swimming, squash and gym etc) and Swadlincote Ski Centre (ski-ing and tobogganing), all located conveniently close to the town centre. The former colliery spoil heaps and clay holes have now been restored to provide a pleasant landscape of trees and grass around the outskirts of the town. Swadlincote is still a Market town with market days on Tues, Fri and Saturday. A Farmers Market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month
Though most of the physical remnants of the old industries have been swept away,
in the heart of Swadlincote's Conservation Area is a very rare survival of a 19th century pottery works. Sharpe's Pottery was founded in 1821 and closed in 1967. The buildings are Listed Grade II and were on the 'at risk' register. The kiln hovel is of particular interest. The buildings have now been repaired and converted for use as a visitor and resource centre where the public can investigate the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Located within Sharpe's Pottery Museum, a Tourist Information Centre was officially opened July 27, 2006 by Mark Todd, MP for South Derbyshire. The TIC is open all year from Monday to Saturday from 10.00am until 4.30pm. A 24-hour touch screen information point will shortly be available to provide information even when the TIC is closed. The Centre serves South Derbyshire and The National Forest. Here you will find all the information you need for events, places to visit, restaurants, where to stay and much more. The TIC also provides details about tourist destinations throughout Britain. A growing range of tickets is on sale for local events and transport.
The South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group main aim is to collect and preserve all they can of the mining heritage of this area. The collection of tools, books, photographs and multi-media is held at Gresley Old Hall. The group meet every Thursday andalso take our collection out into the community to schools, village halls and galas. Everyone is welcome
Swadlincote has a real sense of community. ' Walk down the traffic free High Street on a Friday or Saturday morning and you can't miss it. Groups of people chatting and passing the time. Queues of eager shoppers in the bakers and the butchers shops. A thriving traditional hardware shop and a busy greengrocers. A couple of cafes full of friends taking the weight off their feet. A busling market with good fairly priced produce happily trading alongside the other shops all helps to make a local town with a good feeling about it.'
Places of local interest include :
Swadlincote Ski Centre, Hill Street, Swadlincote, DE11 8LP Off A511, signposted, nursery slope and a main run plus 650 metre Toboggan run. Special events during the year, restaurant, ski shop, ski and snow-board clubs. Tel: 01283 217200 Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-23:00
Catton Hall, Catton, Walton-on-Trent, Swadlincote, DE12 8LN, off the A513 from the A38. A Georgian House, 1745, with estate, been in present family hands since 1405. 17th & 18th century pictures and furniture. Open: Mon, 13:30-15:00 Apr-Oct inc. Groups by appointment all year
Rosliston Forestry Centre, Burton Road, Rosliston, DE12 8JX, take A38 then Roliston road at Walton-on-Trent, new woodland area with craft workshops, walks, wildlife hide, play and picnic areas, wildlife garden, lake. Cycle hire and archery. Restaurant, etc, admission free, some charges for play facilities & special events. Tel: 01283 535039/01283 515524 Open: 07:00-dusk every day.
Beehive Farm Centre, Rosliston, DE12 8HZ , south east of the village, take A38 then Roliston road at Walton-on-Trent, a 45 acre farm woodland, walks, horse-riding, fishing lakes, play area, craft centre, cafe etc..Tel: 0973 387315 Open: Farm 08:30-17:00 pm. park open dawn to dusk.
Safari Parties, Grange Wood Zoo, Grange Wood, Netherseal, DE12 8BE off A444 at Overseal, south of Swadlingcote. Small rainforest zoo, animals, birds, reptiles and insects. Tel: 01283 760541 Open: Oct-Mar:- 10:00-16:00 Tues-Fri, 10:30-14:00 Sat & Sun: Apr-Sep:- 10:00-18:30 Tues-Fri, 10:00-14:00 Sat & Sun. Closed Christmas/New Year.
Conkers, Rawdon Road, Moira, DE12 6BD, new £16M development at the Heart of the National Forest, indoor and outdoor interactive experiences. Includes an assault course, adventure playground, sculpture trail, train rides.Restaurants, shops, etc.Tel: 01283 216633 Open: Daily 10:00-6:00
Foremark Reservoir, Ticknall, Derby, off A514 towards Derby, 230 acre reservoir with trout fishing, walks, picnic areas, adventure playground. Tel: 01283 701709 Open: Apr-Oct 7:00-dusk and Nov-Mar 9:00-16:00
Staunton Harold Reservoir, Melbourne, Derby,off B587 south of Melbourne. 209 acre reservoir, walks link to Calke Abbey. Visitor centre with exhibitions.Tel: 01283 701709 Car park charge.Open: Apr-Oct 7:00-dusk and Nov-Mar 9:00-16:00
