Hemington

Hemington itself is too small to have hotels of its own, but its position on the Derbyshire border makes it an easy base for a short break. Castle Donington, less than a mile away, has a handful of options, and the wider area around East Midlands Airport offers a good spread of hotels catering to both business travellers and holidaymakers, from budget chains to more comfortable mid-range stays. Nottingham, Derby and Leicester are all within easy reach for those who want a wider choice of city hotels while still using Hemington and its surrounding villages as a quieter alternative to stay near. Given the village's proximity to the M1 and East Midlands Airport, it also works well as a convenient overnight stop for travellers passing through the region, as well as a base for visiting Donington Park on race weekends. Whatever the reason for the visit, the flat Trent Valley countryside and village pace of life make Hemington and its neighbours a restful spot to return to after a day exploring the area.

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.

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.

Hemington sits in the flat, fertile Trent Valley, on the Derbyshire border close to Castle Donington, and the gentle countryside here makes for pleasant, easy camping rather than dramatic wilderness. As with everywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the landowner's permission, so a proper campsite or glamping stay is the way to enjoy the area responsibly. The village is home to Daphne's Orchard, a small luxury camping retreat set around a wildlife-filled pond, offering tent, caravan and motorhome pitches alongside glamping structures including a Stargazer Barn, Crabapple Cottage and a cosy option called Piglet. It is aimed at adults wanting a peaceful, relaxing stay, with recently upgraded toilet and shower facilities, and is within walking distance of both the village pub and the shops, bars and restaurants of Castle Donington three-quarters of a mile away.

The surrounding Trent Valley terrain is level and easy, well suited to gentle walks and cycling rather than strenuous hikes, with the river itself offering quiet spots to sit out an evening. Spring and summer are the best seasons to camp here, when the orchards and hedgerows are in leaf and evenings are long enough to make the most of a pitch or a glamping stay outdoors. Because Hemington is so close to Donington Park, campers with an interest in motorsport can time a stay around a race weekend, though it is worth booking ahead as the area gets busier and noisier at those times. For those who prefer their camping without the canvas, the glamping options at Daphne's Orchard offer a comfortable alternative that still keeps you close to the fields, orchards and riverside walks that give this part of the Trent Valley its quiet appeal, while East Midlands Airport and the M1 keep the village easy to reach for a short break.