Coton in the Elms combines a distinctive architectural history with routes through the countryside: the Church of St Mary and the Old School House tell of different building periods, while the National Forest Circular Cycle Trail passes through the village. When planning, it is worth considering the cycling routes, another walk and activities in the surrounding area separately.

Woodland and routes: compare routes and activities

Coton Wood lies just south of Coton in the Elms. The National Forest Circular Cycle Trail passes through the village: one route is 26 miles long, while shorter options are listed at 11, 18, 21 and 23 miles. This gives you several specific route lengths to choose from, rather than just one distance to plan around.

The difference between the options is their length: even the shortest listed option covers 11 miles, while the longest is 26 miles. When comparing cycling routes, you can use these distances as a guide and choose an option that suits your preferred route length.

The Coton Wood car park on Lullington Road in Coton in the Elms is used for the Spires and Stiles Walk. This means you can plan the walk using a specific car park; by contrast, several route lengths are listed for the cycle route. Both details help with different activity-planning decisions in Coton in the Elms.

In the wider surrounding area is Grangewood Farm Forestry Woodland. Walking and horse riding are permitted there, but cycling is not. These activity details apply to Grangewood; they should be distinguished from the description of the cycle route through Coton in the Elms. So, if you are weighing up several options in the area, keep in mind not only the activity but also the specific location mentioned for each.

Half-timbering, brick and church history

The Old School House dates from the 16th or 17th century and was partly altered in the mid-19th century. Its features include significant box-frame timber framing and red brickwork with brick detailing. The timber framing and brickwork create distinct architectural accents; these features give the building its own architectural character.

The Church of St Mary was built later: Stevens of Derby constructed it from 1844 to 1846 in the Decorated style. The described features include a three-storey west tower, a nave, a lower chancel and a north organ extension. Together, these elements give it a different form from the older Old School House. Those interested in architecture will find two clearly distinct buildings and building periods here.

Another layer of history belongs to the medieval chapel near Coton in the Elms. It existed there by 1291 at the latest, was deconsecrated after the Reformation and demolished soon afterwards. Its history should be distinguished from that of the later-built Church of St Mary. The chapel's foundations were identified in 1866; a large marker stone survives at one corner of the Shoulder of Mutton Public House car park. The historic chapel and the surviving stone therefore belong to two different stages of its history.

At St. Mary's, Coton, a regular Sunday service with Holy Communion takes place on the second Sunday of each month at 11.15 am. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the current service schedule before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Hognaston, Furness Vale, Horsley Woodhouse, Bakewell, Alton, Dronfield, South Normanton, Duffield.

For the overview of the wider area: Derbyshire.