- Home
- ⁄ Leisure, culture & tourism
- ⁄ Tourism and travel
- ⁄ Ideas for day trips
- ⁄ Water, walks and well dressings
Morning
The traditional art of Well Dressing is unique to the area so in mid-July why not take a trip over to the village of Aston on Trent to see this ancient custom in all its glory. The pictures that decorate the wells are created using materials provided by nature such as cones, wool and flower petals and can take a team of people several days to complete. Due to the use of natural materials, however, each picture will only last about a week before the flowers fade. The village features 6 'dressed' wells and there is an opportunity to see how they are constructed at the demonstration event.
An easy to follow circular historical walking trail takes approximately one hour and will provide an excellent introduction to the history of this delightful village. Copies of the walk are available from Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre.
Lunch
A short drive along winding lanes through gently rolling countryside will take you through the picturesque villages of Weston on Trent, Swarkestone and Barrow upon Trent before you reach the canal-side village of Willington. Lunch can either be taken in the tea rooms at the newly built Mercia Marina, or in one of the pretty pubs in the village.
Afternoon
Located beside the Trent and Mersey Canal, Willington is perfectly placed for a stroll along the canal tow path*. It is one of the busiest canals in the country and so you are assured of seeing many of the colourful privately owned and hire boats that cruise by.
If you fancy a trip on a canal boat, drive over to Stenson Marina, just ten minutes away. Over the summer, boat trips take place every hour at weekends and on Bank Holiday Mondays.
Evening
Contact Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre for details of the many events that take place over the summer months.
* The tow path adjacent to the Trent & Mersey canal provides accessibility to almost all of the above locations by either cycle or on foot but remember that cyclists require a free permit obtainable from British Waterways.
