museum
Donington Grand Prix Collection
World's largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars spanning from the 1930s to modern F1 at Donington Park circuit.
12 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Findern
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Findern
Findern works well as a base: 10 minutes from Sinfin, 26km from Dovedale.
Findern is in England, United Kingdom, with about 1,700 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Sinfin, about 4 km away.
Findern is a village and civil parish in the District of South Derbyshire, approximately 5–6 miles (9.7 km) south of Derby (Grid reference: SK309307). The population of the civil parish was 1,669 at the 2011 Census.
Findern is a picturesque and quaint little village full of charm and character, with many of itsRead more
buildings being of both historical and architectural importance. Its traditional Old English village green is overlooked by the All Saints' parish church, and is surrounded by a handful of shops, and numerous black and white painted nineteenth century cottages that include The Old Forge, a former farm and blacksmith's shop. The village green plays host to an annual fete and the cottages were originally part of a weaving industry that peaked in 1846, when 22 velvet and silk looms existed, with each dwelling containing its own loom. A row of period buildings continue out onto Main Street with the oldest being from 1620. Somerville House, with its high gateway that allowed carriages to pass under it, was originally a gentleman's residence that was built in the mid 18th century. Its porch, wall and railings were added in the 19th century.
Wallfield House on Doles Lane was constructed in 1822 as a farm, and in the 20th century became the home of racing driver and Aston Martin team manager Reg Parnell. He competed in the inaugural Formula One World Championship Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950, and in 1959 won both Le Mans and the World Sports Car Championship. Parnell eventually came to live – and farm – at Wallfield House, which is now a residential home, that bears a blue plaque in his memory.
Castle Hill, which previously led to a long since demolished manor house, boasts a village pump, that was used by the entire community until 1931, when mains water finally came to the village. Well Dressing is a long held village tradition. At the top of Hillside stands Tower House which was originally a windmill, built in 1715. It was converted into a private dwelling in 1914 and was the home of Edwina Currie when she was MP for South Derbyshire from the 1980's onwards. It is claimed that on a clear day 22 churches including Lichfield Cathedral can be seen from the mill.
Mercia Marina opened in September 2008 in the 24-acre Willington Lake, surrounded by another 50 acres (0.20 km2) of countryside for dog-walking fields, a wildlife lake and a holiday home development. In building the marina, twelve islands or promontories were added to the natural contours of the lake thus creating a green oasis for people and wildlife alike. This was enhanced by a £85,000 planting scheme, featuring wildflower banks, reed beds, semi mature trees and native plants. For boaters, the layout of Mercia Marina is akin to a series of small marinas joined by wide expanses of open water. The area includes numerous shops, a bar, coffee house and tea rooms.
Findern Primary School on Heath Lane was designed by the pioneering architect George Henry Widdows and constructed in 1924. The highly popular Dobbies Garden Centre is to be found on Doles Lane. The canal at Findern, forms part of the Trent and Mersey Canal, which was completed in 1777, and connects the to more than 70 locks and five tunnels, ultimately joining the River Trent to the River Mersey. The railway line runs alongside the canal and was opened by the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway on its original route from Derby to Hampton-in-Arden where it met the London and Birmingham Railway for London. The village is nowadays bounded on two sides by major A roads; the A38 and the A50. The former, to the north east, follows the course of the Roman road Icknield Street, while the latter passes to the south of the village centre and runs parallel to the canal. In contrast to the ancient route of the A38, the A50 road was laid only in 1997.
Where to Stay in Findern
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Findern?
Within an hour or so of Findern: Donington Grand Prix Collection (12 km), Great British Car Journey (22 km), Alton Towers (26 km), Dovedale (26 km).
Are there any good drives near Findern?
The nearest famous roads are Monsal Trail, A54 Congleton to Buxton and Goyt Valley road, Peak District.
Where is Findern?
Findern is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Sinfin.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,669
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.8704, -1.5441
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Findern
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Great British Car Journey
Interactive museum in Ambergate telling the story of the British car industry through 130+ vehicles, from Austin 7 to Aston Martin: many of which you can actually drive on site.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Alton Towers
Major British theme park set in the grounds of a historic estate in Staffordshire with record-breaking coasters.
26 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Dovedale
A limestone valley of caves and pinnacles crossed by famous stepping stones over the crystal River Dove.
26 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Dovedale and the Stepping Stones
A limestone ravine of caves, spires and the famous stepping stones across the River Dove.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Matlock Bath Motorcycle Strip
The entire riverside parade at Matlock Bath transforms into the UK's most famous bike meet every sunny weekend.
28 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Thor's Cave
Vast natural cavern with a 10m symmetrical arched mouth gaping from a limestone crag 80m above the Manifold Valley. The scramble up is short and the view through the arch is one of the Peak District's best.
32 km · about 35 min drive
racetrack
Mallory Park
Compact lakeside circuit at Kirkby Mallory known as the 'friendly circuit', racing since 1956. Its Gerard's Bend is one of the longest, fastest corners in British motorsport.
33 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Findern
- 42 kmMonsal HeadA viewpoint above the Wye valley looking down on the five-arch Headstone Viaduct, now carrying the Monsal Trail.
- 42 kmMonsal TrailAn 8.5-mile traffic-free walking and cycling route along a former railway through the Wye valley, passing through four lit tunnels.
- 44 kmCurbar EdgeA gritstone escarpment above the Derwent valley with sweeping views and long-established bouldering and climbing.
- 46 kmFroggatt EdgeA wooded gritstone edge north of Curbar, home to classic climbs and an easy level walk along the escarpment top.
- 50 kmA54 Congleton to BuxtonA fast moorland alternative to the Cat and Fiddle, rolling over the Peak District's western edge past Danebridge and the Cheshire border.
- 51 kmGoyt Valley road, Peak DistrictA quiet reservoir road between Errwood and Fernilee in the Goyt Valley, wooded and twisting, often closed to through traffic on summer Sundays.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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