HATTON VISITOR GUIDE
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Location: On the A511 on the opposite side of the River Trent from Tutbury, with the A50 to the north of the village.
Visit: Thistley Meadow Community Nature Reserve is beside the River Dove; from there, there are views across the river to Tutbury Castle. It also offers excellent panoramic views of the bridge and surrounding countryside. It is a good place for a picnic, with picnic tables available.
Refreshments: There are several pubs, cafés and restaurants in Hatton, Tutbury and the neighbouring area to choose from.
Walk: Tutbury and Rolleston Park Walk is a very relaxing walk near the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. It takes you through pleasant rolling countryside with no steep gradients. The picturesque village of Rolleston-on-Dove is on the outward journey, and you pass the site of an ancient corn mill as you return.
Special Places of Interest in the Locality: The historic village of Tutbury contains much to interest the visitor. From a ruined castle to a splendid 15th-century former coaching inn, from a lovely walk along the Mill Fleam to the weir, to a wide range of antique and gift shops. – Sudbury Hall and the National Museum of Childhood (National Trust). It is a ‘restoration’ style manor built in the 1660s -1680s by George Vernon. The manor remained in the family until 1967. It showcases a rich history and preserves architectural beauty. – Sharpe’s Pottery Visitor Centre at Swadlincote tells the story of the South Derbyshire Pottery industry from the 16th to the 21st century. The centre is equipped with interactive technology.
INTRODUCTION
Hatton is a welcoming South Derbyshire village set beside the River Dove, separated from Staffordshire and Tutbury by a listed bridge over the River Dove. For visitors, it offers a blend of rural charm, historic interest, and easy access to some of the region’s most appealing attractions. For local people, Hatton remains a place where community life, countryside walks, and a proud industrial heritage sit comfortably together.
NESTLES FACTORY
Tutbury factory was one of the first factories to be built by Nestlé in the UK in 1901. In those days, milk would arrive from neighbouring farms in metal churns on the back of a steam-powered wagon and leave in tin cans via the dedicated railway siding. During the Second World War, production of condensed milk was limited, and the factory started packing powdered eggs and Red Cross food parcels.
Instant coffee production began on 9 June 1959, and there were 150 employees working at the old milk factory. Now, there are just under 1000 highly skilled workers. This century, the rise in the number of coffee drinkers in the UK, with an increased appetite for cappuccinos, lattes, and barista-style coffees, has brought additional challenges. Nestlé has met these challenges by launching the Nescafé Dolce Gusto, which within three years had become of key strategic importance to Nestlé globally as one of only two centres around the world producing the Dolce Gusto capsules.
COMMUNICATIONS
The village has excellent transport links. It is close to the A50 road which links the M1 and M6. The A50 used to pass across the northern edge of the village. But it was bypassed in May 1995 by the 6-mile £19 million Hatton, Hilton and Foston Bypass. The former route is now the A511, which passes through the village from Tutbury.
TUTBURY AND HATTON RAILWAY STATION
Tutbury and Hatton railway station is on the Nottingham to Crewe line, with East Midlands Trains providing the services. The station was originally closed in the Beeching era in the 1960s but reopened in the 1980s due to public demand. Local bus services by Diamond Bus East Midlands link Hatton with the market towns of Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter. Trent-Barton operates a service to Derby.
FORMER SALTBOX CAFÉ
The former Salt Box Café, on the A511, has won awards as the best transport café in the UK. Unfortunately, the building of the bypass resulted in trade diminishing and its eventual closure and it is now replaced by residential housing.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
All Saints’ Church has a rich history dating to its construction in 1885-7. It was built on a site presented to the church by the 7th Duke of Derbyshire. He also contributed £100 towards the cost. The church’s architectural design and historical significance make it a notable landmark in the area.
THE VILLAGE
The village centre is modest but practical, with a post office, village store, small café and pub providing everyday requirements. Its modest centre reflects its rural roots while supporting everyday life.
10 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT HATTON
1. Hatton developed beside the River Dove, a natural boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The river provided fertile land and early water power, helping small farms and mills thrive. Its position made Hatton a natural crossing point, linking Tutbury and the Dove Valley. The river’s gentle meanders still shape the village’s landscape today.
2. Hatton sits close to Tutbury, Hilton, and Burton-upon-Trent, giving visitors easy access to shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and attractions across two counties.
3. The original railway station was named Tutbury and was opened on 11 September 1848 by the North Staffordshire Railway. It closed in 1966 and was reopened in 1989 as Tutbury and Hatton to serve both villages.
4. Hatton’s meadows and riverside routes make it a favourite for gentle walking. Longer routes link to Tutbury and the Dove Valley.
5. The Salt Brook Heritage Trail explores Hatton’s natural and industrial past. The brook once powered mills and influenced settlement patterns. Today, interpretation boards tell the story of Hatton’s growth.
6. Sudbury Hall, just a short drive from Hatton, is a magnificent 17th-century mansion with grand interiors and the Museum of Childhood. It is one of Derbyshire’s most impressive historic attractions.
7. Tutbury Castle, visible from Hatton’s surroundings, offers dramatic ruins and centuries of history. It has links to Mary, Queen of Scots and medieval defence.
8. The wider Hatton area includes medieval remains such as Hoon Mount barrow, Woodend moated site, and Barton Blount’s settlement remains—evidence of long human occupation.
9. Notable residents who have lived in Hatton include John Berry, Roger Davies and Jody Bunting. John Berry designed the Esso tiger in the 1950s and many children’s books for Ladybird Books. Roger Davies is a well-known ex-Derby County footballer, and Jody Bunting acted as a TV fitness expert for Channel 4’s former morning show The Big Breakfast.
10. Mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers. Hatton was then said to be worth twenty shillings.
TUTBURY AND ROLLESTON PARK WALK
