Repton
Now a quiet village, Repton is one of England's most ancient towns and is steeped in history. In the 7th century Repton was established as the capital of the Saxon kingdom of Mercia. A monastery for both monks and nuns was founded here in the mid 7th century, but the building was later sacked by marauding Danes in 874. An ancient battleaxe excavated from very near the church, is dated at over 1000 years old and can be seen displayed in the school museum.
St Wystan's Church has a splendid 212ft high spire and is renowned for its Anglo Saxon chancel and crypt. The crypt, beneath the church, has a roof supported by four twisted columns, regarded as one of the best and oldest intact examples of Anglo Saxon architecture in the country. This burial place of the Royal kings of Mercia was discovered by chance when workmen uncovered it in 1779. Included among the occupants is St Wystan, interred in 850.
A great Augustinian priory was founded here in 1170, but fell into disrepair after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. On these ruins Repton School was founded in 1557, later to become one of the foremost public schools in England. The priory gateway is preserved, as well as the original priory guest hall, now containing the school library. One of the town's earliest brick buildings is the Prior Overton Tower constructed in1438.
There is marvellous walking country to the south-west of Repton in Bretby Woods; Bretby Hall, once the home of the Earls of Chesterfield was rebuilt in the style of the Gothic revival in 1813.