Mercia Marina opened in September 2008, transforming the 24-acre Willington Lake into what is now one of the UK’s most admired inland marinas and an important visitor attraction.

 

Surrounded by an additional 53 acres of beautiful Derbyshire countryside, Mercia Marina was carefully designed to create not just a marina, but a thriving welcoming environment for both people and wildlife.

During construction, thirteeen islands and promontories were sculpted to further enhance the lake’s natural contours, forming a network of sheltered basins and open water. This unique design gives Mercia its distinctive layout — a collection of smaller, more intimate marinas connected by wide, scenic waterways.
An extensive landscaping and planting scheme brought the site to life with reed beds, fruit  & blossom trees, semi-mature trees and native plants, establishing a true green oasis that continues to flourish today.

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The Boardwalk in 2014 and Piazza in 2018 added boutique independent retailers, award-winning cafes and restaurants and more blending public art, green space and idyllic views. Coming 2026 will be the landmark building of the Promenade that offers luxury waterside living with 15 apartments as well as more unique owner operated shops and a new restaurant.

The Boardwalk won the national award of Best Small Commercial building in 2015, setting a precedent for stunning architecture that continues with the currently under-development Promenade building which has a feature saw tooth roof line. 

From the very beginning, Mercia Marina has been built on respect for nature, community and craftsmanship values that still shape everything we do.