Ilkeston
Ilkeston has Nottingham and Derby as close neighbours so it’s a good base between the two for a new home. As with many towns in this area, it’s industrial past was in coal, iron and cloth.
Today it’s the third-largest town in Derbyshire so it’s still a key player, with lighter industry behind the scenes of its employment and economy. It’s got countryside neighbours too as it’s between the Shipley Country Park and the Woolaton Country Park, giving easy access to green space and outdoor leisure.
New Homes in Ilkeston
Living in Ilkeston
Getting around
The M1 passes to the east of the town, a very convenient north-south route through the Midlands and up to Leeds. You can join it at Junction 25 or Junction 26. A network of local roads gives you a range of routes for Nottingham, which is just over 7 miles away, and Derby which is 11 miles away.
Ilkeston’s train station is on the West Midlands Line, with Northern Line Nottingham to Leeds and East Midlands Railway services. A train into Nottingham will take about 15 minutes so it’s a popular alternative to driving in. East Midlands Airport is just 12 miles to the south. TrentBarton is the main bus operator for the town and the local area and its services include a link to the airport.
Going to school
There are plenty of primary schools to choose from, depending on your catchment area. For secondary education there’s Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy, Kirk Hallam and the Saint John Catholic Voluntary Academy. Nottingham and Derby both have further and higher education opportunities for post-16 students.
Going out
Ilkeston will keep you busy with the Rutland Sports Park and the Victoria Park Leisure Centre. There’s an outdoor town market which is great for a browse with friends and then a coffee in the town centre, and there are shopping centres and retail parks for high street brands.
For family fun, try MFA Bowl on the A609 to the west of the town centre. For the great outdoors, the Peak District National Park makes a fantastic day trip.