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View of St. Chads Water – St Chad's Lake loop from Draycott and Church Wilne

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

View of St. Chads Water – St Chad's Lake loop from Draycott and Church Wilne

Moderate

4.5

(2)

hikers

View of St. Chads Water – St Chad's Lake loop from Draycott and Church Wilne

02:00

7.95km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.61 km

Victoria Mills, Draycott

Highlight • Historical Site

The village of Draycott is sandwiched between the cities of Derby and Nottingham on the banks of the meandering River Derwent. There are a variety of places to eat and drink, with a couple of delightful cafes and a few good pubs.

The village is home to a dramatic, four-storey mill building, the Victoria Mills. When it was constructed in the 1880s it was one of the longest buildings of its kind in Europe.

Tip by

3.55 km

St. Chad's Church, Wilne

Highlight • Religious Site

Its isolated location next to St. Chad's Water lends the whole area a tranquil atmosphere. The long-vanished village of Wilne was subject to flooding by the nearby river Derwent. Consequently, the people relocated to nearby Draycott, on higher ground, leaving St. Chad's Church with only a couple of houses nearby.

Tip by

3.69 km

St Chad's Water Nature Reserve

Highlight • Forest

St Chad’s water was created in the 1970’s during the excavation of the underlying gravel deposits by Haveringham Gravels. As quarrying proceeded, water flooded the lake through the subterranean water table and once the site was abandoned, the lake and its environs were sold to Draycott and Church Wilne Parish Council for £1.00.

St Chads Water and its surrounding environments are an important local resource for informal countryside recreation such as fishing, walking and bird watching. The site is approx. 23 acres and consists of the Lake with a circular walking path around it, woodland edges, a wildflower meadow area and in 2023 we have opened up a new area for use as an outdoor classroom.

Tip by

3.70 km