[AD] Hidden gems, iconic landmarks and lots of free things to do… I’ve teamed up with Visit Erewash to highlight some of the area’s best kept secrets for fun days out exploring. There’s also plenty of exceptionally good eateries, from decadent fine dining to cosy pubs and tucked away tearooms, perfectly situated for refuelling after rural adventures.
Discover Erewash
Erewash is a borough in Derbyshire, containing the towns of Long Eaton and Ilkeston, a range of picturesque rural villages and plenty of green space to wander. Named after the River Erewash, the area is easily accessible from Derby and Nottingham and has much to explore.
Visit Erewash website
The new Visit Erewash website has lots of helpful resources and ideas for exploring rural Erewash including inspiring itineraries aimed at entertaining children, ideas for rainy days and accessible days out. There’s also an Erewash Challenges section for those looking for more demanding challenges, or those with more time on their hands. Each section is available as a free PDF which can be printed out or downloaded to a mobile phone for easy reference when out and about. Lots of the ideas are free to explore, and there’s plenty of hidden gems.
Things to do in Erewash
One of our favourite places to go as a family in Erewash is Bluebells Farm Park. Situated on a working dairy farm, there’s an abundance of animals to meet and places to play (including a large indoor area – perfect when the weather isn’t favourable) – and of course lots of their delicious artisan ice cream.
Another favourite place is The Bottle Kiln, situated just outside Ilkeston in the pretty village of West Hallam. Explore the beautifully curated selection of giftware in the boutique shops, delightful café and the tranquil Japanese tea garden.
For adrenaline-fuelled outdoor adventure, why not try Spring Lakes? The new aqua park offers thrilling slides and a range of water activities for the whole family. Try wakeboarding, kayaking or open water swimming. There’s also a beach resort and paddle boarding, if you feel like something a bit more tranquil.
For more great things to do, head to the Visit Erewash website.
Walking and cycling in Erewash
Rural Erewash offers plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Take a stroll along the riverside of The River Erewash or the tow paths of The Erewash Canal. For a walk with a view, try Stoney Clouds where on a clear day views across the valleys extend for 14 miles.
Wildlife lovers will delight in the Local Nature Reserves. For instance, Straw’s Bridge has three lakes to explore, free parking and picnic areas. Whilst The Nutbrook Trail is a picturesque 10 mile traffic free path between Long Eaton, Shipley Country Park and Heanor.
History and heritage in Erewash
There are various places throughout the borough to immerse yourself in Erewash’s rich industrial past. In times gone by, Trent Lock on the Erewash Canal played a crucial role in transporting goods around the country as it connected four rivers and canals.
The impressive Bennerley Viaduct, was built nearly a century and a half ago, to carry the railway and its cargo from Nottingham to Derby. It spans a quarter of a mile of the Erewash Valley and is the longest Victorian wrought iron viaduct in England, one of only two of its kind that remain. At 20 metres high, it’s easy to see how it became known as the Iron Giant. Walk or cycle over the viaduct for a new perspective on Erewash and of the wildlife haven below, a biodiversity corridor to connect the two canals. Free guided walks can be booked here.
The village of Dale Abbey hosts an ancient frame of the old abbey ruins, a 12th century hermit cave and possibly one of England’s smallest churches.
Read more about the history and heritage of Erewash, including links to DH Lawrence on the official Visit Erewash website.
Eating out in Erewash
From traditional village pubs to fine dining, Erewash has a mouth-watering array of places to eat out.
Morley Hayes will always hold a special place in my heart, having stayed here the night before getting married. The luxurious hotel, nestled in the Derbyshire countryside, boasts an impressive golf course including an all-weather floodlit driving range. The two AA rosette Dovecote restaurant, also famed for its popular champagne breakfast is complimented by the more informal Roosters which has expansive outdoor seating.
We recently celebrated a wedding anniversary with a weekend away at Breadsall Priory, the oldest Marriott building in the world, enjoying a sublime setting of 300 acres of rolling parkland. We had some lovely meals here – I particularly recommend the crab linguine.
Oakfield Farm Shop has an inviting café with a menu packed full of farm produce. Just up the road, The Bottle Kiln is a great place for coffee and cake or a light bite.
In the pretty village of Ockbrook, The Apple Tree is a stylish gift shop and popular tea house. Tables inside get booked up weeks, if not months, in advance – but their beautifully rustic barns (complete with log burners and cosy blankets) and courtyard only takes walk-ins and you can almost always nab a table. It’s worth doing so, everything from their breakfasts to decadent hot chocolates is utterly divine.
Looking for delightfully rural cafés or tea rooms? You’ll be spoilt for choice in Erewash.
Windmill Café offers homemade food overlooking the historic site of the Cat and Fiddle Windmill and surrounding fields. The scones are particularly special.
The multi award-winning, Stable View on the edge of Locko Park and close to Dale Abbey (check out the walking map on their website) is a great place for coffee or their much-loved breakfasts and lunches.
Whilst The Cowshed enjoys an idyllic location with access to walks around Dale Abbey and Constitution Hill.
Don’t forget the award-winning artisan ice cream at Bluebells. Look out for special seasonal flavours. You don’t need to pay any admission for entry to their ice cream parlour.
For more suggestions of where to eat in Erewash, head to the Food and Drink section of Visit Erewash website.
