It's been called the "fastest growing district in Derbyshire" - and it isn't hard to see why. It feels like there's a new house, new shop, new store, new road, or new factory going up on every corner.
More than 2,000 new homes have gone up in the last seven years alone, and millions of pounds are being poured into this once poor coal mining town. Now it's boom time.
New roads have been built, old coal tips stripped away or grassed over, industrial estates opened, and shops given facelifts.
Two new superstores have moved in, there are plans for a multi-screen cinema, a big new impressive golf course, a multi-million pound revamp of the leisure centre, and even more homes...Swad's wish list goes on and on!
Rumours abound regarding the national superstores that are expected on the new Coppice Side shopping park, and which are believed to include a national clothing brand and a big sports retailer.
The only thing that still feels a bit old is the traditional shopping centre, which has been overawed by the big new superstores and retail park.
The population of just under 37,000 feels like it's growing by the month and there's a feeling of expectation everywhere, from the town council down to the drinkers in the pubs.
There's also a tangible air of certainty, of knowing that the town is back on its feet and heading forwards.
Like other parts of Derbyshire, Swad, as it's known locally, was badly hit by the demise of mining with a loss of over 3,000 jobs.
So the local council set about replacing them. Mines were turned into factory estates or parks, they looked for businesses to move in, house building was encouraged and commuters were wooed.
Toyota opening at Derby certainly helped their cause. So did the decision to centre the new National Forest - 200 acres of trees - in Swad.
The town sits on the A511 between Burton and Ashby de la Zouch. It's the main town in South Derbyshire, and home to the district council. Commuting is easy from here, either away from or into the town.
The big towns and cities of Burton, Derby, Leicester, and even Birmingham and the West Midlands are a small commuting hop away, and the M42 is just four miles away.
Every walk of life is here in Swad - from ex-miners to bankers, from its own Paranormal Investigation team to the young professionals who hurtle down the town's dry ski slope. The population is a real combination of the old and new.
There's still plenty of working men's and miners' clubs alive and well around the district. There's as many English cafes and chippies as there are Chinese and Indian outlets.
Now it's attracting young newcomers by the score. Buy-to-let landlords like it, as do the young couples moving in from Birmingham, Tamworth and Leicestershire, keen to grab houses at the right price.
Swad is down to earth and friendly, and a place where a pound still goes a long way.
This little town that didn't have much is certainly going places in the 21st century.
Property In Swadlincote
Because it was a poorer mining town, most of the property in Swadlincote tended to be rented council houses.
That's all changed. Lots of the council houses have been snapped by up their tenants, and now they sit side by side with the boom in private housing that's erupted, both in-filling and large new-build estates.
Three large housing estates are already well under way - Swadlincote Woodlands just off the town centre with 400 houses; Woodville Meadows, between Blackfordby and Albert Village with another 500 homes (200 are already up); and Castleton Park at Church Gresley where a further 900 are planned (around 500 are up so far).
Swad has become a magnet for young couples who want new houses at a reasonable price. Couples from as far away as Birmingham - well within decent commuting time - are being attracted to the town.
And it hasn't missed the eye of the buy-to-let landlords. There still isn't much in the way of privately rented housing here but investors are starting to snap up properties, so the town's lettings market may be set to take off.
Areas in and around Swadlincote
1. Newhall
pic: Terraced housing
Where is it? It's the big area just outside of Swadlincote set between the A511 to Burton and the A444 to Nuneaton.
Head for Burton, turn left down Wood Lane and that takes you into Newhall Main Street.
What's there? It's a mining district with traditional coal miners' terraced houses and large post-war council estates. There are also some new, small private estates on the edge.
Buyers: Local couples who want to stay around the area.
Pros: Changing and growing rapidly. Good mix of properties, including some high quality homes. Close to the amenities and on the main road to Burton.
Cons: Lack of recreation facilities, apart from a small park.
2. Midway
pic: Detached houses
Where is it? Next to the town centre down Midway Road.
What's there? Established private estates and some council housing. A good mix of properties ranging from three bedroom semis to large luxury homes.
Midway is regarded as the upmarket end of town.
Buyers: Not much property movement here. Long established houses and families who tend to stay put.
Pros: Sought-after area, located on the main commuting route to Burton and Derby, with a countryside setting. Good range of houses from semis upwards.
Cons: Houses are on the pricey side when they do come up for sale. Not much in the way of facilities apart from a couple of good local pubs. It's about to lose its doctors surgery.
3. Church Gresley
pic: Semi-detaced houses
Where is it? An old mining village on the southern edge of Swad, set between the A514 Woodville to Burton Road and the A444 to Nuneaton.
Head down Coppice Side, past the superstore, and you can't miss it.
What's there? Mostly old mining terraced cottages with a few semis, and the Wye Dales estate which has about 200 homes built in the late 1990s.
Thorpe Downs, a brand new housing estate with another 200 homes, is being built in this area – homes will have between two and four bedrooms.
Buyers: Young couples who want reasonably priced housing.
Pros: Up and coming area. Good amenities and good for commuting. Still feels like a village.
Cons: Still regarded as a mining village, but that's fast changing. Busy traffic from the superstore.
4. Woodville
pic: New builds, Sharpswood Manor
Where is it? Lies either side of the A511 on the Swad to Burton Road.
Take the Derby Road out of the town centre until it joins the Burton Road, and Woodville is all around you.
What's there? Woodville used to be heavily industrialised but in recent years, three large housing estates have sprung up here, and lots of infill building.
They are mostly private houses of all types from terraces to big modern detached homes.
Pros: Affordable properties. You get a lot for your money here.
Cons: Very busy twice a day during the school run. Prices are starting to rise as it becomes more popular.
Living Here
Transport:
Trains: Nearest train station is in Burton six miles away.
Buses: Good service to all the local areas and to Burton. No direct services to Derby; you have to change at Burton.
Road: The M42 is just four miles away, so it's good for motorway links. However, it can be a bind getting into Burton and Derby on the busy single carriageway roads.
Air: East Midlands International Airport (EMA) is just 15 miles away.
Shopping:
Swad town centre is still the main area, although most of the villages have little shops of their own.
Lots of everyday type shops in the busy, pedestrianised town centre. More card shops than most neighbouring towns, which is the big local shopping joke.
Swad has four supermarkets, including two large superstores, and plans for 12 more big stores on the Coppice Side estate. Rumour has it that some big names are about to move in.
Eating and Drinking:
Lots of local traditional pubs but some trendier bars are appearing.
The Yard wine bar is a popular in-place with youngsters. Wetherspoons is already a big player, at the Sir Nigel Gresley in Market Street, and Barracuda has just transformed the closed down cinema into a funky bar, the Paramount.
Swadlincote has its fair share of takeaways and plenty of cafes. There are a few restaurants including Indian, Chinese and Thai, with plans in place for three more.
Sports and Leisure:
The town's Ski Centre features a dry ski slope and toboggan run.
Green Bank leisure centre is in Civic Way and there are plans for a total refurbishment.
There are currently facilities for swimming, gym, road running, martial arts, and basketball.
Other sports available in Swad include a rifle and pistol club, and tennis; plans for a massive new golf course off the town centre are pushing ahead.
For football fans there is semi-professional Gresley Rovers, Newhall United or Burton Albion.
Entertainment:
Currently the nearest cinema is at Burton, but a four screen multiplex and bowling alley are due to be built in Swad.
The closest theatres are in Derby and Nottingham.
Parks and Open Spaces:
There are lots of parks and greenery in Swadlincote, including the Maurice Lea Memorial Park in Church Gresley which is undergoing a million pound facelift to restore it to its former glory.
Eureka Park just off the town centre, now has its own 'Friends' group aimed at preserving it. The park has lots of walks, streams, crazy golf and bowls.
Swadlincote Woodlands, part of the National Forest on the edge of town, has eight acres of walks and 40,000 new trees.