Hemington

Hemington is a small village sitting quietly on the Derbyshire border, barely three-quarters of a mile from Castle Donington and close enough to hear the occasional roar from Donington Park race circuit on race weekends. Once part of the Castle Donington Rural District, the village has long been tied to its larger neighbour, while keeping its own rural, unhurried character. Fields and orchards give way to the River Trent nearby, and the flat, fertile Trent Valley farmland stretches out around the village in every direction.

Despite its small size, Hemington has a genuine sense of place. The Jolly Sailor, a 17th-century former weaver's cottage turned pub, is the last surviving pub in the village after the Three Horseshoes closed in the 1990s, and it remains a proper local with open fires, beamed ceilings and homemade pizzas. Land around Hemington, along with neighbouring Kegworth and Lockington, was also used in the early 1960s to create the site for East Midlands Airport, which now sits just across the parish boundary.

Top things to do near Hemington

Hemington is a springboard rather than a destination in itself, with plenty to explore within a few minutes' drive.

• Castle Donington — the historic market village three-quarters of a mile away, with independent shops, bars and restaurants, and the site of a long-vanished 13th-century castle.
• Donington Park — the famous motor racing circuit and home to the Donington Park Motor Museum, a must for motorsport fans.
• River Trent — flowing just south of the village, offering peaceful riverside walks and spots for fishing.
• East Midlands Airport — built on land that once included Hemington parish fields, with a viewing area popular with plane spotters.
• Kegworth — a short drive away, with its own historic centre and further pubs and shops along the Trent.

Getting to Hemington

Hemington sits just off the A453 and A50, close to Junction 24 of the M1, making it easy to reach from Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. East Midlands Airport is on the doorstep for anyone arriving by air, and the village is well placed for a short break without a long drive from much of the Midlands.

Best time to visit Hemington

Spring and summer suit Hemington best, when the Trent Valley countryside and village orchards are at their greenest and outdoor pursuits like walking and fishing are most rewarding. Race weekends at Donington Park bring extra buzz to the area, so it is worth checking the calendar if you prefer a quieter stay, or booking around one if you want to combine your visit with the racing.

Where to stay near Hemington

Options in the village itself are limited given its size, but Castle Donington and the wider area around East Midlands Airport offer a good range of hotels, from budget chains to more characterful options, all within a few minutes' drive of Hemington.

Food and drink near Hemington

The Jolly Sailor is Hemington's own pub, a 17th-century building serving cask ales, craft kegs and homemade pizzas, with a beer garden and log burner depending on the season. For more choice, Castle Donington's bars and restaurants are only a short walk or drive away.