It is no secret that Burton and Swadlincote have definitely earned themselves a place in the history books, providing the world with some pretty innovative inventions and in turn becoming top tourist destinations.
From pottery to pickle, from the National Forest to the National Brewery Centre, these two towns should be championed for the ace inventions and top products which make them quite literally world beaters.
So what has made Burton great?
We shall start with the most famous and obvious choice: brewing.
- Marston’s and Bass started life benefiting from Burton’s high sulphate content in the water. Burton water also has the highest calcium content of any major brewing region, the highest magnesium, and low levels of sodium and bicarbonate. A complicated calculation but is the winning formula which makes beer from Burton simply the best.
- Talking of Bass. While it is a name consigned to the history books following the Molson Coors takeover some years ago, it still left its mark - literally again - as the famous Bass red triangle was the country's first ever trademark. Bass, the brand name and logo, was the very first trademark to be registered under the UK’s Trade Mark Registration Act of 1875.
- The National Brewery Centre, or, as it was known in its former life, the Bass Museum has become a major draw for tourists eager to learn all they can about their favourite tipple and the town's rich brewing heritage. And for those not quite legal enough to sample alcoholic beverages there are the famous shire horses who have become a staple of town events. The horses would once have been a familiar sight trotting around the streets of Burton and further afield as they delivered barrels of the town's finest to the pubs.
- Heading off the topic of beer (finally) but heading towards the River Trent, we come to the famous Washlands. A beautiful sweeping landscape filled with all manner of birds and insects that you can imagine with none of the housing and brownfield concrete that we are all used to seeing. A lovely walk along the Washlands brings you to a play area situated behind Burton Library which boasts a café to sit and watch the kids play.
- And of course on the Washlands, you are met with the famous Ferry Bridge. More than 100 years old and still going strong. It is so well thought of that it was recently given a multi-million facelift and has been restored to its former glory. The structure is a "semi-suspension" bridge, and the first and only one of its kind in Europe to be built to this design.
- Now to the food. First up is, of course, Marmite. You either love it or hate it. We love it, of course, because the yeast extract spread also puts Burton on the map even if it can only be used sparingly on toast (for some!). The brown nectar was first produced in 1902 and was famously given to soldiers during the First world War due to its health benefits.
- Second up in the food category is Branston Pickle. It gave birth to the food brand Branston, best known for the original Branston Pickle, a jarred pickled chutney first made in 1920 in Branston. It may not be made here now, but we first made it.
Finally for Burton is our free parking. Well, Free after 3 if you park in Coopers Square or Burton Place shopping centres, but still. Perhaps not a world beater - but if you live in Burton it's certainly a blessing if you want to go into town shopping.
This also brings us quite nicely to Swadlincote.
- The first thing to come to mind when you think of Swadlincote is mining or pottery. So we have Sharpe’s Pottery Museum. Again, like the National Brewery Centre, it is a big draw to the town and pays a lovely tribute to the area's rich industrial history.
- Talking of mining. The pits may be long gone but their names live on. Granville, Church Gresley, Cadley Hill, Bretby, to name but a few, and we still have the South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group.
- Of course, we cannot forget Swadlincote’s entry into the history books as the first to make the flushing toilet. In the mid-19th century, Sharpe's patented the 'box rim', a new way of flushing the toilet. Once, the new toilet flush was introduced, Swadlincote came into its own for dealing with flushed waste.
- Continuing with Swadlincote industry we have TG Greens’ famous Cornishware. Its distinct blue and white will forever be linked to kitchen pottery.
- We cannot talk of top tourist destinations in the town and not mention Swadlincote Ski Centre. It towers over the town and provides much needed sport and leisure to the townsfolk and from further afield.
- Of course, linking Burton and Swadlincote is the sweeping lush green trees of the National Forest. For more than 25 years it has been ensuring that we respect our surroundings and, more importantly, deter any concrete developments.
Whichever way you cut it Burton and Swadlincote have certainly so far left their mark on the world. And there's sure to be many more entries to come. If you know of anything or think we've missed something be sure to let us know.
