New Homes in Castle Donington

Tucked in the Leicestershire countryside, Castle Donington is a well-connected and peaceful village located between Nottingham and Derby. With easy access to the National Forest and nearby attractions such as the Pride of Derby fishing lakes, it’s the perfect place for families who love the outdoors. Those living in Castle Donington can benefit from excellent transport links alongside a range of local amenities, including a thriving village centre, providing a balance between countryside living and urban convenience.

Where is Castle Donington?

Castle Donington is tucked into the northernmost corner of Leicestershire county, located southeast of Derby and southwest of Nottingham. It’s a short drive up the M1 from Leicester itself, giving the village easy access to several county towns.

Transport in Castle Donington

Castle Donington is just over a 5-minute drive from Junction 24 of the M1, providing access to Nottingham in under 30 minutes and Leicester in under 40 minutes. Other major routes include the A50 towards Derby and the A453, which leads directly into Nottingham city centre.

The village is also well connected by rail, with East Midlands Parkway around 10 minutes’ drive away. From here, regular services run to Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and London St Pancras.

East Midlands Airport is also close by, around 10 minutes’ drive away, with regular buses linking the airport and the village.

Shopping in Castle Donington

As a market village, Castle Donington has a small but thriving shopping district on Borough Street. You’ll find a mix of independent businesses here, including The Olive Branch toy shop, The Apiary antiques shop and Strawberry House home decor, alongside everyday essentials like a post office, pharmacy, Aldi supermarket, and several cafes and restaurants.

For extended shopping options, the Derbion in Derby is around 20 minutes away, while Victoria Centre in Nottingham is around 30 minutes away. Derbion provides popular high street brands and fashion outlets such as New Look, Next, and M&S, while the Victoria Centre is a hub for beauty, fashion, and jewellery, with shops for H. Samuel, Pandora, Swarovski, and Bath and Body Works.

Things to do in Castle Donington

Local attractions include Castle Donington Museum and the  East Midlands Aeropark, where visitors can watch aircraft taking off and landing at East Midlands Airport. Castle Donington is also famous for the Donington Park Circuit, a popular racetrack just south of the village.

For outdoor activities, there are a number of fishing lakes around 10 minutes’ drive from Castle Donington, where you can angle for bream, roach, chub, and more. The village is also just east of Poppy Wood, providing access to the 75-mile hiking route along the National Forest Way.

The best places to buy new build homes in and around Castle Donington

Castle Donington is a very nice place to live if you’re looking for a peaceful home life within reach of the city. Here are a few locations providing similar benefits around Derby and Nottingham.

Shepshed

Around 20 minutes from Castle Donington, Shepshed is a small market town to the west of Loughborough. Homes in Shepshed benefit from convenient access to Loughborough Hospital, Carillon Court Shopping Centre and Loughborough University, all within a short drive.

The town itself offers a range of everyday amenities including an Asda supermarket, independent shops, cafes and takeaways, along with well-regarded schools. Leisure options include Shepshed Watermead recreation ground and a BMX track on Oakley Road, while Jubilee Walk and the nearby Charnwood Forest offer scenic walking routes and countryside to explore.

Shepshed is also well connected to Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, which are all around 30 minutes away by car via Junction 23 of the M1.

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Spondon

Another popular neighbourhood, Spondon is around 20 minutes away, on the outskirts of Derby. With its own train station and road links via the A52, it offers easy access to Derby city centre and surrounding towns, making it an ideal spot for those needing to commute.

Spondon offers a mix of local amenities, including a Co-op, pharmacy, cafes and larger supermarkets. It also boasts a number of country parks, such as Elvaston Castle with woodland walks, gardens and lakes, as well as Alvaston Park and Chaddesden Park, while the more secluded Locko Park is around 10 minutes away.

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Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Around 20 minutes’ drive southwest of Castle Donington, Ashby-de-la-Zouch is a market town known for its 15th-century castle ruins and its proximity to the National Forest Way.

The town centre is home to a historic indoor retail market, as well as a monthly farmers’ and artisan market. Nearby attractions include Hick’s Lodge National Forest Cycle Centre, the Eastern Old Parks forest and CONKERS outdoor discovery park, all offering excellent opportunities for walking, cycling and family days out.

Ashby is also well placed for access to nearby cities, with Loughborough, Leicester and Derby all within 40 minutes' drive from home.

Browse our homes in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Looking for new homes for sale in Castle Donington?

From outdoor attractions to excellent commuter links, Castle Donington is the perfect spot for families and commuters who want quiet surroundings and a more relaxed pace of life.

Book an appointment to browse our new homes in Castle Donington and kickstart your move today.