Hilton guidebook

Welcome to five fabulous villages at the centre of the country: Hilton; Hatton; Etwall; Repton; and Willington. 

They're all different but they have two major things in common – they're great for commuting and are set in gorgeous English countryside. 

Although all five villages are just a couple of miles away from each other, each has its own character and feel, and a property mix that provides something for everyone.

And they really do lie at the crossroads of Britain, being just minutes from the east to west A50 link road connecting the M1 to the M6, and the north to south A38 road linking Derby and the north, and Birmingham and the south.

So if you want village living with good road links and access to anywhere in Britain, pick one of these five!

Here's a brief look at what's on offer in each of the villages:

1. Hilton

Hilton was once a small and sleepy village – until the Ministry of Defence sold 280 acres of land in the early 1990s and the construction of 2,000 new houses were given the go ahead.

Now it’s a booming, very modern village with a new centre, surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of modern homes, with lots more houses still going up.

Property in Hilton: The main street is still basically all terraced, with lots of newish houses – built from the 60s onwards – spreading off the main street.

But when the Ministry of Defence land became available, the building boom really got under way.

All five of Britain’s big builders built estates that have now joined into a huge swathe of housing from two-and three-storey town houses to large four-and five-bed detached homes - and there’s still lots of new building going on.

So if you’re looking for a ‘modern village’, then Hilton is the place for you.

What’s there? Hilton is a one street village with three pubs, surrounded by little estates and the giant estate of 2,000 new modern homes.

At the centre of the new estate is a little shopping centre with day nursery, vets, chip shop, pub, estate agents and a convenience store.

Buyers: There’s something for everyone, and every pocket; because there are so many houses, property is still reasonably priced and attracts first-time buyers who can’t afford much, and families who want to move up at the right price.

Some buy-to-let investors, but mostly home owners.

Pros: Lots of well-priced priced properties; great scenery all around; and close to major towns and cities.

Cons: Hilton has lost its village air and now feels exactly like what it is...a large housing estate, albeit it with attractive houses at the right price.

2. Hatton

Hatton, home to one of the best transport cafes in Britain, the Salt Box, and John Berry, the man who designed the Esso Petrol Tiger, had the main A50 running through until the new by-pass took the heavy traffic away from the village.

Now it's returned to its village roots yet it's still busy, friendly and bustling. Lots of homes were built up to the 90s, so it’s a well established place now, with just small pockets of new housing still going ahead.

Standing high above the Hatton houses is the huge Nestles coffee factory, undergoing a major refit that will create 250 new jobs. 

Following flooding by the nearby River Dove several years ago, £500,000 has now been spent on flood defences for the village which should reassure new buyers.
 
Property in Hatton: Again the main street here is mostly terraced, but the road is long and widely spread out. Lots of traditional semis and detached houses were built in little estates off the main road from the 60s onwards.

There are also many bungalows, including a big bungalow estate towards Scropton at Castle View.  

Most of the building was finished more than twenty years ago so nothing much has changed in the last couple of decades, apart from some new bits of infill, and with not much room left, the village is pretty much complete.

What’s there? Another busy, one street village with three pubs, two clubs, a chip shop, a supermarket...and the huge Nestles factory which towers over the village.

Although the massive expansion plan should bring prosperity as well as jobs, there is already some traffic nuisance from the fleets of lorries that have to use the main street to get into the factory.

Buyers: Mainly people born and bred around the area. A fair amount of rented accommodation is available.

Pros: A traditional village that is well-placed for commuting.  And with hardly any room for expansion, it won’t be changing much, unless it spreads outwards.

Cons: The traffic issue from the coffee factory.

3. Etwall

Etwall is a well established village with a large former council estate which is now mainly privately owned.

Close to Derby and the giant Toyota car factory, Etwall’s traditions go back into the distant past...partly marked every year by its famous well dressings.

Property in Etwall: Most of the house building in the village took place after the war through to the 60s and later as the village expanded, so the homes are mainly traditional post-war designs.

There hasn't been much new-building since the 90s, apart from a couple of new developments that are going up, so again, it’s a case of a settled village.

There are a few terraces, but it's mostly semis and detached housing, and the majority of the big former council estate is now privately owned.

What’s there? A few shops, four pubs, and good local facilities; it is home to John Port secondary school, now a specialist technology college.

Buyers: Close to the Toyota factory so it attracts a lot of workers who want to be close, and families who want their children in the John Port catchment area. There are some older people, too, and residents tend to be long-term.

Pros: Good value, well built, attractive village.

Cons: It looks a little old-fashioned and some parts could do with a facelift. But it's a good place for children to grow up in.

4. Repton

Repton, the ancient burial town of the Mercian Kings, has hardly changed through the centuries.

Virtually all Victorian terraced houses, it’s like stepping back to the days of Dickens when you meander down the quiet red brick streets of this little village.

Repton School, one of Britain’s famous public schools dating from 1557, is located here which is a big draw for families.

Property in Repton: Mostly brick built Victorian terraces with just bits of post war building; Repton is a village steeped in history and the houses reflect this...even down to the few thatched ones.

There are some more modern properties on the edges but if you want a brand new build...forget it!

What’s there? This is, and always will be, a traditional, upmarket English village. There are a few pubs and some good restaurants – and there are three Mercian Kings buried here.

Buyers: People with a few bob: it's very sought-after because of its school.

Pros: Very attractiveand desirable place to live, and Repton School attracts families.

Cons: You need a fat cheque book!

5. Willington

Willington is another place that expanded after the war through to the 90s, with lots of semis and detached houses being built – but now it's ready to grow again!

The village lies in the shadow of the now closed and flattened power station although its five giant cooling towers still dominate the skyline.

The site of the former power station has been earmarked for almost 1,000 houses...but local protestors forced the plans to a public inquiry because they were worried the homes would be too close to the River Trent flood plain.

However, if the appeal inspector says yes, then Willington will grow enormously as the house builders move in.

Property in Willington: The bulk of properties here were built after the last world war, erected around a smattering of the original village terraced houses.

It’s a spread out place, with lots of little cul-de-sacs of semis and detached homes.  There are some spots of new build, but not much.

What's there? Willington is an attractive village with real heart. The Trent and Mersey canal runs through it, and in its heyday, it was a major inland port.

There are four great pubs in the centre, a good cross section of shops providing everything for day to day needs, and a busy village feel.

It's a little off the beaten track but is still close enough to Derby or Stoke to commute.

Buyers: Mostly locally born and bred, but some incoming people attracted by a thriving village. Willington has around 2,700 residents in total.

Pros: Very attractive, everyone knows everyone, and there are lots of activities. The fact that it's spread out gives an airy feeling on the outskirts with a busy village heart.

Cons: Not much room for expansion...unless the power station housing plan gets the go ahead! Then its boom time as the cooling towers come down and the houses go up.

Living Here

Transport:

Road: All five villages lie close to the junction of the A518 with the A50; the A50 connects Stoke and the M6 motorway to Nottingham (east), and Leicester and the M1 (west).

The villages are also only minutes away from the A38, linking Derby to the north, and Burton on Trent and Birmingham to the south.

Trains: Hatton has its own railway station linking the cross country route from Nottingham to Crewe, which is good for commuters.

Closest big station is Burton on Trent, or Derby for main line trains, about ten miles from all the villages.

Bus: A reasonable service, but not many buses. Regular services to Burton, Uttoxeter and Derby.

Air: East Midlands international airport (EMA) is less than half an hour away.

Shopping:

All of the villages have little shopping centres with day to day goods, but that’s all.

Eating and drinking:

Mostly pub grub, with chip shops and takeaways in all of the villages; a few good restaurants, too.

Sports:

All five villages have an abundance of football and cricket clubs, especially at Hilton, which also boasts three good football teams, tennis clubs, two equestrian centres, and a nearby golf club.

A new leisure centre is underway at John Port school, which will serve all the villages. There is also Etwall Leisure Centre in Etwell Road in Mickleover.

Leisure and entertainment:

Mostly centred around pubs although Hatton and Hilton have thriving, busy village halls; Hatton also hosts a carnival every July.

For theatres and cinemas, it’s off to one of the big towns.

Parks and open spaces:

Hilton recreation ground is in Main Street.

King George V recreation ground is in Etwall's Eggington Road, and Sandypits playing fields are in Sandypits Road, also in Etwall.

Hatton has a Recreation Ground in Scropton Lane which also has a play area.

Broomhills Lane playing fields are in Broomhills Lane in Repton; there's also the Repton recreation ground in Mitre Close.

Willington has two play areas, one in Hall Lane and the other in Trent Lane., and a good abundance of small parks.

There are also several small parks dotted about, and, of course, fabulous countryside all around.