This heart-warming retreat is perfect for couples and families alike seeking a rural location yet halfway between the bustling cities of Nottingham and Derby, also an easy drive away from the wonderful Peak District National Park. The cottage, built for salt mill workers is 18th century, and its name originates from Wilne Lane which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
Shardlow is an unexpected delight for any unsuspecting visitor, whether emerging from the Derby conurbation in the north and finding quiet, spacious, sweeping greenery, or from the south where a signpost tells you you’re now in Derbyshire, although without the hills and dales you might have been expecting. As you spy the boats, locks, and warehouses, you might even wonder if you’ve been transported to a corner of the Netherlands, an impression that would have been even more likely if Shardlow had hung on to its windmill and more importantly in its hayday it was referred to as ‘Rural Rotterdam’ and ‘Little Liverpool’. Today Shardlow is Britain’s most complete surviving example of a canal village, much of it snuggled safely in a conservation area.
Discover the National Trust property of Kedleston Hall, Derby Museum and Art Gallery and a variety of independent shops, supermarkets, pubs, and cafés in case you fancy a spot of lunch or picking up a souvenir for your loved one’s back home. There is a rich network of footpaths that radiate from the village with undulating countryside of fields, meadows, bluebell woods and a famous cave, ideal for horse riders, hikers, runners, and cyclists. For more history and culture, visit Nottingham Castle Museum, the National Trust Grade I listed building Calke Abbey, Art Gallery and Wollaton park, as well as the ancient City of Caves. Alveston Castle is only 5 minutes away. Further afield is the beautiful Peak District National Park, home to a wonderful nature reserve such as Dovedale, ideal for all manner of walking, hiking and mountain biking opportunities. With canal side pubs, restaurants, and waterside walks straight from the door there is plenty to do at Wilne Cottage.

Walnut Lodge is a delightful 2-bedroom Nordic Style lodge sleeping 4 persons. Quietly located with a south facing balcony overlooking a secluded lawned area. Walnut is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. This luxury lodge offers guests a recently furnished spacious accommodation finished to a high standard with attention to detail key. An open plan living, dining and kitchen area leads you through double doors to the raised veranda area a perfect place for al fresco dining or just that morning cup of coffee. Both tastefully designed bedrooms have co-ordinating soft furnishings and bespoke fitted shutters for a good night sleep. The lodge benefits from a large walk in shower room and separate bathroom to use. Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the Boardwalk, a promenade of 6 boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two storey bar and restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by.
Close by Findern is a lovely village situated about six miles west of Derby. The village green is overlooked by All Saints Parish Church where a carved semi-circular stone or ’tympanum’ discovered when the previous Norman Church was demolished in 1862, is preserved. There are great walks in the area and It is a great base to explore the Peak District with its market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne, as well as its many pretty villages. Also the National Trust properties of Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall with its museum of childhood are all within 10 miles. A little further is the National Trust owned Hardwick Hall, and the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate with its annual country fair and Adventure Farm for children. The National Memorial Arboretum and the rich heritage of Burton-on-Trent with its fantastic National Brewery Centre Museum is just down the road. You can also venture into the National Forest with the award-winning Conkers attraction just 10 miles away, plus Castle Donnington race track is just 20 minutes’ drive and Alton Towers is 30 minutes’ away. Secluded in Beautiful Derbyshire Countryside whilst being close to the tranquil waters of the Mercia Marina this lodge really is the perfect place for relaxation.
This property can be booked together with UK37594 (500 yards away) to accommodate upto 10 guests.

Secluded in Beautiful Derbyshire Countryside whilst looking down on the tranquil waters of the Mercia Marina the lodge provides all you need to attain perfect relaxation.
Acer Lodge is a beautiful three bedroom lodge that offers guests luxury styling throughout, space and comfort. This spacious lodge is furnished with modern contemporary furniture and tastefully carefully thought-out interior design making your stay a wonderful experience. Comfortably sleeping six guests in one double bedroom and two twin rooms. There is an en-suite shower room to the master bedroom as well as a separate family bathroom with a freestanding bath and shower. The large airy open plan living, dining, kitchen area has an island to gather around for pre-dinner drinks whilst the chef in the party prepares the food! Sit back relax and watch the boats on the marina and the wildlife around you from the wrap around terrace area, a perfect place to watch the sun go down.
Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the Boardwalk, a promenade of 6 boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two storey bar and restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by. Close by Findern is a lovely village situated about six miles west of Derby. The village green is overlooked by All Saints Parish Church where a carved semi-circular stone or ’tympanum’ discovered when the previous Norman Church was demolished in 1862, is preserved. There are great walks in the area and It is a great base to explore the Peak District with its market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne, as well as its many pretty villages.
Also, the National Trust properties of Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall with its museum of childhood are all within 10 miles. A little further is the National Trust owned Hardwick Hall, and the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate with its annual country fair and Adventure Farm for children. The National Memorial Arboretum and the rich heritage of Burton-on-Trent with its fantastic National Brewery Centre Museum is just down the road. You can also venture into the National Forest with the award-winning Conkers attraction just 10 miles away, plus Castle Donnington racetrack is just 20 minutes’ drive and Alton Towers is 30 minutes’ away. With so much to do and a beautifully design lodge what more could you ask for?
This property can be booked together with UK37595 (500 yards away) to accommodate up to 10 guests.

Within the small village of Breadsall Hill Top in the county of Derbyshire, lies this delightful semi-detached stone cottage. Full of character and original features, it makes a quaint and homely base for couples or families wanting to explore the rural and metropolitan attractions of Derbyshire. There is lots of local walking and this really is the Gateway to the Peak District.

Upon entering the property, you are welcomed by some wonderful original features that have been sympathetically restored to reflect the character of the property, with the clever blend of quality furniture and fixings. Discover the bright and airy living room, with soft carpet and inviting sofas and chairs to relax onto after a busy day’s exploration, relaxing and unwinding in front of the TV. The kitchen has everything to hand for you to prepare delicious meals for family or friends, which can be enjoyed together in the snug dining room. Make your way upstairs to find three welcoming bedrooms with views over the neighbouring fields, and completing the accommodation is a downstairs bathroom. There is a tiered patio area with furniture to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and outlook onto open fields with gated access.
Why not venture to the city centre of Derby, where you will find a number of amenities and attractions to suit all, or visit the quaint towns of Belper, Wirksworth and the wonderful attractions of the Peak District National Park to keep you busy. Bordered by the Peak District National Park and its natural beauty, Windmill Cottages is also conveniently close to many local attractions, including Chatsworth House and Kedleston Hall, and there are 4 beautiful golf courses on the doorstep, with a total of 31 in Derbyshire to choose from, and make for great wedding locations.

Brand New for the 2022 season, this lodge is extremely spacious with an open plan living space. With three French doors opening out onto the exceptionally generous deck, guests can enjoy the sun from dawn to dusk while appreciating an uninterrupted view of the ornamental lake. The lodge is set conveniently close to the large dog walking area and newly created children’s play area.

The accommodation consists of a kingsize double bedroom with en-suite, a zip and link twin room and a third bedroom with two sets of bunk beds (for children). Every bedroom is fitted with a Smart TV. This luxury Lodge is furnished in a contemporary style with wooden floors and Italian leather sofas. We are pleased to accept two well behaved dogs and even have a hot and cold dog shower outside to keep them clean!

Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe, this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the Boardwalk, a promenade of six boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two-storey bar and restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by.

Take a short walk down the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal to the pretty village of Willington, with three pubs, supermarket, takeaways and railway station. The marina is a great base to explore the Derbyshire Dales, several National trust properties, the National Arboretum and Alton Towers Theme Park.

The lodge offers guests a spacious open plan living room, kitchen and dining space with large central patio doors that boasts an enviable view over the marina. An ideal lodge for get togethers, which easily sleeps up to six guests with two double bedrooms and a twin room. The master bedroom has en-suite facilities and the other bedrooms share a family bathroom. The lodge is equipped with high quality soft furnishings and includes memory foam mattresses throughout to ensure a dreamy and tranquil night’s sleep. The lodge has level access to the rear door and veranda.

Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe, this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the five minute walk to the Boardwalk, a promenade of 6 boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two storey bar, coffee shop and Indian restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by. There are great walks in the area and it is a great base to visit the unique Calke Abbey NT; National Brewery Museum, Burton on Trent; the Football Association St George’s training ground; Melbourne Hall home of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne; Derby Cathedral; Alton Towers a must for kids; St Wystan Church in Repton burial site of two Mercian kings, well dressing at Tissington, explore the Peak District with its market towns of Bakewell, Chatsworth House and Ashbourne, as well as its many pretty villages.

Rosemary Lodge is a Nordic style lodge sleeping 4 people and set in a green and tranquil lakeside area within the 74 acre Mercia Marina with its range of fantastic facilities. Nestled in this secluded part of the Marina with lodges sited around a picturesque lake, Rosemary Lodge has its own unique atmosphere. The owners have combined neutral tones and natural textures to give you a truly restful experience. Relax on the sofas and take in the views from the large French doors or step outside onto the spacious veranda and enjoy your morning coffee while watching the birdlife.
The lodge comprises a high specification fully equipped kitchen with an adjacent dining area provides plenty of space for leisurely meals. There are two good sized bedrooms; one with a kingsize bed and private en-suite and a twin room also with en-suite.
The largest inland marina in Europe, Mercia Marina has a host of facilities on-site within a few minutes’ walk of the lodge. These include cafes, restaurants, a deli, and a general store. The Boardwalk is a promenade of boutique retailers – clothes and gift shops, a beauty salon, a jewellers and interior design shops centered around the two-storey bar and restaurant (go upstairs for the best views). Stroll along the raised wooden walkway to watch the colourful boats and the wildlife, stop for a coffee and cake, or treat yourself to a glass of wine. You’ll also discover nice walks within the Marina grounds with ideal spots to sit, relax and watch the world go by. If you fancy boating along the canal, the Mercia Swan runs trips in summer. The Marina has its own Community Bicycle scheme, which provides bicycles free to use for residents and visitors (bring your own helmet!).
Rosemary Lodge is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Close by Willington, Melbourne, Tutbury and Repton are lovely villages, the latter being the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. If you like to explore on foot, there are interesting walks including the Trent and Mersey Canal with its towpath and locks. We provide for your use OS Explorer maps and maps of circular walks in the local area including the National Forest. It’s a great base to explore the Peak District too, the market towns of Bakewell, Belper and Ashbourne, the world-famous Potteries including Denby Pottery Village and the many nearby National Trust properties. For wildlife lovers, the Willlington Wetlands nature reserve is just the other side of the village and is home to newly introduced beavers (and their kits, born in 2021) as well as many species of bird. At Mercia Marina itself, you may see heron, geese, ducks, swans, grebes, kingfishers, oystercatchers, goldfinches, bullfinches and long tailed tits.
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive our digital visitor guide which gives detailed information about Mercia Marina shops and eateries (visitors receive a discount on purchases), local activities and places to visit.

Viburnum is a luxury lodge, peacefully located within the award-winning Mercia Marina conservation park, in the heart of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. Viburnum Lodge sits in a prime position, directly overlooking the water, with a stunning lakeside view. The spacious external decking areas are bathed in sunlight from dawn until dusk and are furnished with comfortable seating areas for al fresco relaxation and entertainment. The lodge has been designed and furnished to the highest standards internally, encapsulating everything you could possibly desire for a fantastic stay.
Being the largest inland marina in Europe, Mercia Marina has a whole host of facilities and attractions on site. There is always a large selection of narrowboats and widebeams for sale at the onsite brokerage, The New and Used Boat Company. The stunning boardwalk is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll whilst taking in the amazing views of the boats to-ing and fro-ing in the marina. Browse in the numerous boutique shops along the boardwalk, or stop for your favourite tipple and a delicious bite to eat at one of the bars or eateries. For the narrow boat experience, take a trip on the Mercia Swan or enjoy a delicious selection of food throughout the day or perhaps afternoon tea on The Boat Street Café. For those of you who like to fish, all of our guests automatically qualify to the Mercia Marina Angling Club and can fish free of charge at designated places within the marina, so bring your fishing gear! There are some sizeable carp and pike, along with many other species of inland waterways fish.
Viburnum Lodge is the perfect place to explore the stunning Derbyshire countryside and all of the local attractions the area has to offer. There is a huge enclosed dog walking field around 30 seconds from the property, ideal for your four-legged friends. From the marina, there are beautiful towpath walks along the Trent and Mersey canal. The local village of Willington is a 15-minute stroll up the canal. Here you will find pubs, restaurants, shops, takeaways and Willington railway station.
A little further afield, you’ll find the breath-taking views and quaint market towns of the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales. Many different National Trust properties, such as Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury are not far away. The National Memorial Arboretum and Alton Towers are nearby too.
From the many local attractions, to the peace and tranquillity of the lakeside position of Viburnum Lodge and the bustling boardwalk of the Marina, this truly is a magical place for a fantastic break.

Acacia Lodge is situated on the meadow, overlooking the marina waters with a full-sized double veranda, facing south and west to ensure both day and evening sun. The interior is furnished with oak and leather furniture and has 3 bedrooms with three single beds and a double bedroom that has access to its own large shower and en-suite facilities, and with a baby travel cot. The lodge is approached by a tarmac footpath with a slight incline, thereby removing the need for any steps to access the Lodge or veranda. There is a TV in each room and ipod clock radio for your use. Also, there is a smart DVD player/recorder with internet Wi-Fi for your enjoyment (Wi-Fi codes sold separately), and a 3D 42” TV.
The living/dining/kitchen room includes all the usual appliances, with the added benefit of a separate washing machine and dryer. Acacia Lodge is wheelchair accessible with toilet aids and shower seat and meets National Accessible Scheme M2 - Typically suitable for a person with restricted walking ability and for those who may need to use a wheelchair (please note, the en-suite shower room will not fit a wheelchair). Also, on offer for use around the marina is a wheelchair.
Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe, this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the Boardwalk, a promenade of 6 boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two storey bar and restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by.
Close by Findern is a lovely village situated about six miles west of Derby. The village green is overlooked by All Saints Parish Church where a carved semi-circular stone or ’tympanum’ discovered when the previous Norman Church was demolished in 1862, is preserved. There are great walks in the area and it is a great base to explore the Peak District with its market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne, as well as its many pretty villages. Also, the National Trust properties of Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall with its museum of childhood are all within 10 miles.
A little further is the National Trust owned Hardwick Hall, and the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate with its annual country fair and Adventure Farm for children. The National Memorial Arboretum and the rich heritage of Burton-on-Trent with its fantastic National Brewery Centre Museum is just down the road. You can also venture into the National Forest with the award-winning Conkers attraction just 10 miles away, plus Castle Donnington racetrack is just 20 minutes’ drive and Alton Towers is 30 minutes’ away. With so much to do and a beautifully designed lodge, what more could you ask for?

Enjoy watching the abundant wildlife, especially the birds which are attracted to our bird feeder. Lodge guests are free to make use of the BBQ’s dotted around the award-winning Marina or travel further afield on the bikes available for you to borrow free-of-charge.
Our lodge is also home to table football and a swing ball set. Laburnum Lodge has two parking spaces with step free access into the lodge, which was designed especially for its first owner, a wheelchair user. Laburnum Lodge is fully equipped with all the essentials, including a dishwasher, Nespresso machine, Smart TV and Fibre Broadband. You will also find some more old-fashioned extras including a selection of holiday reads and board games. The central dining area seats up to six people, with an extendable dining table. After dinner, retire to relax on the 3-seater sofas with electric reclining mechanisms. veranda facing South and West to ensure both day and evening sun. Outside there are a selection of seating options, to suit sun and shade worshippers.
Nestled in the award-winning largest inland marina in Europe this really is the perfect base to explore all that the local area has to offer. Why not take advantage of the Boardwalk, a promenade of six boutique retailers, centred around a fabulous two storey bar and restaurant. From here you front onto a raised wooden walkway offering terrific views of the water, boats, and wildlife. You will also discover a sensory garden at the end of The Boardwalk to sit and relax and watch the world go by. Close by Findern is a lovely village situated about six miles west of Derby. The village green is overlooked by All Saints Parish Church where a carved semi-circular stone or ’tympanum’ discovered when the previous Norman Church was demolished in 1862, is preserved. There are great walks in the area and It is a great base to explore the Peak District with its market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne, as well as its many pretty villages. Also, the National Trust properties of Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall with its museum of childhood are all within 10 miles. A little further is the National Trust owned Hardwick Hall, and the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate with its annual country fair and Adventure Farm for children.
The National Memorial Arboretum and the rich heritage of Burton-on-Trent with its fantastic National Brewery Centre Museum is just down the road. You can also venture into the National Forest with the award-winning Conkers attraction just 10 miles away, plus Castle Donnington racetrack is just 20 minutes’ drive and Alton Towers is 30 minutes’ away. With so much to do and a beautifully design lodge what more could you ask for?