Willington: Wetlands, Canal Paths and History

In Willington, wetlands, canal-side paths and a 12th-century church come together. Willington Wetlands was once a gravel quarry in the Trent Valley. Today, beavers use the 40-hectare site; after 800 years, they were seen here in Derbyshire again for the first time. There are also many birds throughout the year, as well as many dragonflies and damselflies. Sightings vary, however: consider a beaver sighting a possibility rather than a fixed part of your itinerary.

Wildlife watching and planning access

Access to Willington Wetlands is restricted to the main path and viewing platforms. There are three platforms, two of which have ramp access. In dry weather, Meadow Lane is suitable for mobility scooters. The first platform and the bird hide are fully accessible; the other platforms are reached by eight steps. The hide is accessible via a ramp and a bridge. This makes it easier to plan your visit: what matters is which destination within the site you are heading for and which access route is suitable, rather than making a blanket judgment about the entire wetland. Check the reserve’s latest information before your visit, as access details may change.

You can combine wildlife watching with a walk on your outing. The Willington Wetlands Circular is 4.5 miles long and leads to places of particular interest for wildlife in the Willington area; part of the route follows the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal. The Willington 4.25mi Circular Walk is slightly shorter, at 4.25 miles. It also follows the towpath and runs along well-maintained paths. If you are choosing between the two circular walks, they offer different points of reference: one description highlights places to see wildlife, while the other specifically mentions the well-maintained paths.

Waterside walks and a boat trip

Mercia Marina adds a perspective from the water to the walking routes. The Mercia Swan runs 45-minute return trips from the marina to Willington throughout the year, weather permitting. The boat trip is another way to include the water in your day’s plans, rather than focusing your visit exclusively on walks. Operating times and trip duration may change; check the operator’s latest information before planning your journey around it.

The marina itself also offers a distinctive landscape: its lake covers 24 acres and is dotted with colourful narrowboats. Together with the circular walks and wetlands, this gives you a choice of different activities without having to combine them into one outing. Families and other travel groups can consider whether they would rather spend their time wildlife watching, on one of the circular walks described, or on the boat trip.

A historical highlight in Willington

St Michael’s Church dates from the 12th century and has a Norman south doorway. The doorway adds an architectural highlight alongside the town’s nature and waterside attractions. Those interested in history can include the church as a focus of their trip planning; those who mainly want to spend time outdoors will find other things to explore during their stay at the wetlands and along the circular walks described.

When choosing a holiday rental, your plans for each day can help you decide: do you mainly want to combine wildlife watching with walks along the canal, or are you also interested in a boat trip and a look at the local architecture? Willington offers several distinct interests, from the habitats of the wetlands to the history of St Michael’s Church. Deciding which ones matter most can help you choose the right setting for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Risley, South Normanton, Peak Forest, Newton, Clay Cross, Draycott, Coton In The Elms, Buxton.

View the wider travel guide: Derbyshire.