The Great Northern Greenway runs through Breadsall Wildlife Site. At the former site of Breadsall railway station, remains of the station buildings were uncovered and reconstructed to illustrate the layout of the site. You can picnic on the old platform and walk along the outlines of the former buildings. The reconstructed outlines highlight not only individual remains, but also the layout of the former station.

Greenway, Railway Traces and Nature Conservation

Breadsall Cutting offers a different perspective. The area is designated both a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This dual designation places a clear emphasis on nature conservation. In a thematic comparison, Breadsall Cutting thus represents a landscape perspective, while the former station tells the story of railway history through uncovered and reconstructed building remains. When deciding which themes to prioritise during your stay, you can distinguish the natural setting from the built heritage.

All Saints: Church Architecture and Remembrance

At All Saints, you can explore architectural history and remembrance through specific details. The oldest section is located around the south door and probably dates from around 1150. The doorway arch is typically Norman, and some carved fragments have also survived. All Saints is also home to the tomb and memorial to Erasmus Darwin. Early church architecture and a specific place of remembrance thus offer distinct points of interest.

The Old Hall and Breadsall Priory

The Old Hall in Breadsall is a Grade II* listed building. Medieval stone and timber features survive in its lower storey. The designation describes the building’s listed status; the stone and timber refer to specific medieval structural features in the lower storey. The difference becomes clear when comparing it with All Saints: there, the focus is on the doorway arch and carved fragments; here, it is on the medieval materials in the lower storey.

Breadsall Priory is a country house built on the site of a 13th-century Augustinian priory; a fragment of the priory survives. The date refers to the priory, not the country house. This distinguishes the former religious site from the country house built on its grounds. The dates associated with the buildings should also be considered separately: the probable date of around 1150 applies to the oldest section of All Saints; the 13th century refers to the Augustinian priory on the site of Breadsall Priory. They mark different building histories, not the same period of construction.

Plan Your Visit

A visit to All Saints can be arranged for an agreed time after contacting the church. Make arrangements in advance if you would like to include the church. This offers a different framework for planning your day than the former station, where you can picnic on the old platform and walk along the outlines of the buildings. You can coordinate your planned visits according to their different options and conditions.

Discover more destinations: Morley, Shottle, Kirk Ireton, Scarcliffe, Pilsley, Ticknall, Mickleover, Tansley.

For the broader travel overview: Derbyshire.