Ilkeston Places of Interest

As you journey along the Nutbrook Trail towards West Hallam, you’ll encounter the enchanting area known as Straw’s Bridge. This picturesque spot boasts a large lake and two smaller lakes, teeming with wildlife such as ducks, swans, and more. It’s a haven for nature lovers and easily accessible from the A609 to West Hallam.
Originally named Moor’s Bridge, it was renamed Straw’s Bridge in 1844 after Samuel Straw purchased the overseer’s house built next to the Nutbrook Canal. Samuel, employed as the overseer, moved into the house, giving the bridge its new name.
The original bridge was demolished in the 1930s and replaced with a new level bridge over the now-abandoned Nutbrook Canal, as the old structure was deemed unsafe for traffic.
In the 1980s, Straw’s Bridge became an opencast mining site, with excavations deep enough to accommodate truck roadways. Today, the Friends of Straw’s Bridge are intrigued by what might lie beneath the surface. They’re on a mission to discover the depth of the centre and whether any vehicles were left behind during the mining operations.