Draycott, Derbyshire


Draycott is a village in the Erewash district of Derbyshire, England. It lies around 6 miles east of Derby and 3 miles south-west of Long Eaton. Draycott is part of the civil parish of Draycott and Church Wilne. The population of this civil parish was 3,090 as taken at the 2011 Census. The meandering course of the River Derwent forms the southwestern boundary of the parish.
The route of the Derby Canal can still be traced across the parish. Trains on the Midland Main Line pass through the village but Draycott railway station is now closed.

History

The name Draycott derives from resembling words dry coat, as the village resides north of both the River Derwent and Church Wilne, a reservoir. In particularly rainy season the village used to flood, hence the name 'Dry Coat'.
A prominent local family, which took its name from the village, included the eminent judge Henry Draycott .

Notable Natives

Born.
Church Wilne is a hamlet about 0.7 miles south of Draycott in a relatively inaccessible location beside the Derwent. In medieval times Draycott and Church Wilne may have been of comparable sizes, but Draycott grew much larger because of its better communications. The Church Wilne Reservoir of Severn Trent Water is nearby. The reservoir is used for water sports and as a nature reserve. Church Wilne is split from its larger twin hamlet, Great Wilne, by the River Derwent.