Castle Donington
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Castle Donington | |
  Castle Donington shown within Leicestershire |
|
| Population | 7000 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | North West Leicestershire |
| Shire county | Leicestershire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Derby |
| Postcode district | DE74 |
| Dialling code | 01332 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| European Parliament | East Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • Leicestershire | |
Castle Donington is a village with a population of around 7000 in the North West of Leicestershire, close to Derby and Nottingham and on the edge of the National Forest. It is the closest village to East Midlands Airport and DHL which are major employers. East Midlands Airport is served by several major airlines including Bmi, Ryanair, EasyJet and many others. Castle Donington is also home to the world famous Donington Park motor racing circuit. Castle Donington stands on the former Nottingham to Birmingham trunk road. The village is a mix of the old and new, with modern shops mixed with dignified Georgian and Regency houses. Several timber framed houses dating from the 17th century and earlier survive along the main road.
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[edit] Local History
Donington Park was the original venue for the Monsters of Rock heavy metal festivals through the 1980s and 1990s, and is now the home of the annual Download Festival. It also hosted a Formula One Grand Prix in April 1993 which was won by Ayrton Senna and which is widely recognised as one of Senna's greatest ever wins. The circuit also hosts the Donington Grand Prix Collection, the world's largest collection of Formula One and Grand Prix vehicles.
Castle Donington also had its own power station operated by Powergen, which when originally built was one of the largest coal fired power stations in Europe. However, this was demolished in 1996.
Castle Donington has two primary schools, St Edwards and Orchard Primary School, each serving roughly one half of the village. A high school — Castle Donington Community College, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on 10 September 2007 — takes students from ages 10-14.
Donington also hosts one of the best amateur football teams in the local area, Castle Donington Town FC, who won the Leicestershire County Cup in the 2005/6 season.
[edit] Pubs and bars
Nags Head - The Moira Arms - The Turks Head - The Priest House - The Cross Keys - The Lamb Inn - The Jolly Potters - The Donington Manor - The Tudor Inn.
There is also a bar at the Race Track called The Redgate Lodge.
[edit] Events
Once a year on May bank holiday Monday a medieval market is held on the main shopping street in Castle Donington. This event comprises local stalls selling various kinds of produce and goods accompanied by dancing and music.
Usually during the last week of October each year the village hosts a travelling fair, known locally as Donington Wakes.
On the second Saturday of every month a farmers market is held on the playground of St. Edwards CofE primary school.
A very large market known as Donington Sunday Market takes place virtually every Sunday at Donington Park.
