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Sandiacre is situated mainly on the rocky promontory overlooking the Erewash Valley. The eastern boundary of the parish is the Derbyshire/Nottingham border, with the M1 motorway skirting the village. The Post House, Novotel, and the Sleep Inn are all located here.
It had some significance in the Middle Ages when Quarter Sessions were held here, an honour usually given to much larger towns. In 1268 the Grey family, who held the Manorial rights, were granted by the King the right to hold a fair, together with a charter for a market along with the right to erect a gallows. The fair, incidentally, is still held annually.
Its fields have mostly given place to factories and houses. Yet it is a place of surprising contrasts, for to those who look for beauty, the busy street soon leads to a winding lane climbing to where 1,000 years ago the Saxons found a rocky outcrop on which to build their church. Some of their work remains in the church above the housetops, looking over the industrialised valley of the Erewash.
It’s certainly a beautiful church, full of interest. The simple 13th century tower has Norman work in its foundations, and a spire with two tiers of lights. Its 19th century porch has a restored Norman doorway in its keeping. The lofty nave has, unusually, a 15th century clerestory but no aisles, a 14th century window, a Norman window on each side, and a little Saxon window above a massive Norman chancel arch of great beauty.
The Erewash Canal and the railway pass through the village, which borders the Erewash Golf Club, the Stanton works and Stanton plc. Furniture making, engineering and clothiong are major industries and there are a number of light industries and warehousing for industrial estates.
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