Breaston

On the southern borders of the county, close to Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Breaston occupies the flat countryside near the point where the River Derwent joins the River Trent. Of particular note in the village is the 13th-century Parish Church of St Michael, with its recently-restored soaring spire, spotted for miles around and which tops a short square clock-face tower. This ancient building occupies a peaceful setting and has many treasures from the past that are well worth seeing.

The church also boasts the ‘Boy of Breaston’ - a small, chubby-faced child, immortalised in the 13th century by the mason of the nave arches. He has smiled down on worshippers and visitors for the past seven centuries. The story has it that this boy would come in and watch the masons at work while the church was being built. The master mason decided to make the child part of the church, so that he could always have a good view of it.

For visitors who chance to be this way Breaston’s fine Millennium Sensory Garden is worth spending time in, as is the delightful Butterfly Garden.