Swadlincote
Swadlincote lies in the county of Derbyshire. It is located in the East Midlands area of the country to the south of Derby. Swadlincote is really three places in one being composed of Swadlincote itself, Church Gresley and Newhall. It is thought that the name of the town is derived from the Saxon name for the area - Swartling’s Cottages.
The town was given a mention in the Domesday Book where it was listed as being a small manor that was part of the Church Gresley parish. For much of its early history Swadlincote’s industry was geared towards the agricultural. The area is, however, rich in mineral deposits and it is thought that coal and clay deposits may have been mined in some form from the 13th century onwards although true industrialisation did not really come to the town until the Industrial Revolution.
During this period the town developed industries such as coal mining activities, potteries and brick manufacturing outlets. In the mid 19th century the town was put on to the railway map although the station has now closed down. Swadlincote is perhaps best known as a pottery centre in this context. The most famous pottery in the town was probably Sharpe’s Pottery.
The deposits of clay in the surrounding area made the town an ideal location for this industry and the town was well known for manufacturing sanitary pipes, toilets and related products, wash basins, tiles, bricks and chimney pots. The clay and engineering industries are still important to the town’s economy to this day although coal mining has now died out here.
Visitors to Swadlincote can take advantage of the town’s dry ski slope. History buffs may also enjoy a visit to Swadlincote’s Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, a museum that explains the history of pottery making in the area based in a former pottery in the town. There are also various Town Trails that you can take which may be of interest and which will help you learn more about the town and its history.
Nature lovers, walkers and hikers can also get a lot out of a visit to Swadlincote. The town stands in the middle of the National Forest which is an area of woodland that is being developed by man. This includes the well known Swadlincote Woodlands Forest Park which stretches for 80 acres on the site of local mine areas. There are many different kinds of walks, footpaths and trails to follow here.