Exploring Derbyshire’s Hidden Waterside Paths: Draycott, St Chad’s Water, and the Trent & Mersey Canal

Sometimes, you don’t need to travel hours into the high fells of the Peak District to get a proper, soul-clearing walk in. Right on the doorstep here in Derbyshire, there’s an interconnected web of quiet footpaths, historic lanes, and hidden waterside spots that feel a million miles away from the rush of daily life.

For my latest outing, I put together a brilliant circular route starting out from Draycott, weaving past local history and quiet nature reserves, and joining up with the Trent & Mersey Canal towards Sawley.

Here is the full breakdown of the walk, the route details, and a few thoughts on why this corner of local countryside is well worth a wander.

Route Overview & Stats

Start Point: Draycott, Derbyshire

End Point: Sawley / Harrington Bridge (Bus back to Long Eaton)

Terrain: Flat meadow paths, quiet back lanes, dirt tracks, and canal towpaths. (Can get muddy around river banks after heavy rain!)

Key Landmarks: St Chad’s Church, St Chad’s Water, Church Wilne, Great Wilne, River Derwent, Trent & Mersey Canal, and Harrington Bridge.

Leaving Draycott & Heading Down Wilne Lane

Starting out near Victoria Mill in Draycott, the route quickly leaves the village behind and heads out across the fields toward Wilne Lane.

If you’re walking down Wilne Lane, keep an eye out for local traffic—it’s a quiet stretch bordered by stables and beautiful character properties, but it pays to stay mindful of passing vehicles. Along the way, you’ll pass two isolated houses that sit right on the lane; it’s easily one of the most picturesque little spots to live locally.

St Chad’s Church & The True Hidden Gem: St Chad’s Water

Further down the lane sits St Chad’s Church. It’s a stunning piece of local heritage tucked away in the countryside. Just beyond the church grounds lies St Chad’s Water Local Nature Reserve.

People throw the phrase "hidden gem" around a lot in the travel space (usually for places like Castleton where half the country turns up on a sunny weekend!), but St Chad’s Water genuinely fits the bill. Unless you’re local or actively looking for it, you’d hardly know it was here.

The path circles around a calm body of water filled with local waterfowl. The local council has recently concreted parts of the pathing to prevent the heavy winter flooding that used to wash away the old timber boarding, making it an ideal, accessible stroll year-round. It’s an exceptionally peaceful spot for landscape photography or just catching a quiet breath of fresh air.

Through Church Wilne & Crossing the River Derwent

Moving past the reserve and heading past the industrial site at Wilne Mill, the trail heads down toward the River Derwent.

Following the field path near an electrical sub-station box, you head through the sheep pastures down to the riverbank. When the water level is low, you can catch sight of a small local gravel spit known as "Draycott Beach."

Crossing over the footbridge brings you out at Great Wilne, a quiet hamlet that feels completely secluded despite being only 10 minutes away from the bustle of Shardlow and surrounding transport links. Passing converted 19th-century farm buildings and old village schools, the trail hooks straight into the canal network.

Along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Harrington Bridge

Joining the Trent & Mersey Canal, the walk shifts onto a long, relaxed stretch of towpath heading toward the River Trent.

Walking along the towpath gives you a great view of passing narrowboats, local wildlife, and the surrounding countryside. After passing under the M1 motorway bridge, the trail reaches the historic Harrington Bridge at Sawley. From here, it’s a short walk into Sawley village to grab a quick drink or catch the bus back toward Long Eaton.

Final Thoughts & Tips

Public Transport: This is a fantastic car-free walk. You can easily catch a local bus into Draycott to start, and hop on a returning service from Sawley or Shardlow at the end.

Footwear: While mostly flat, the paths near the River Derwent and along field boundaries can get slick after rainfall—a sturdy pair of trail runners or light walking boots will serve you best.

Photography: St Chad’s Water is fantastic for bird photography and autumn leaf reflection shots, while the old brickwork near Church Wilne provides plenty of great structural textures.

Watch the Full Vlog

Want to see the full route, the views, and the visual walkthrough in real time? Check out the full video over on the channel: