With a slightly higher than average number of people over 65, the population of just the civil parish was measured at 6,629 as at the 2011 Census.

Up until the 19th century, Sawley was the most important village in the area, commanding the first river crossing, Harrington Bridge, above Nottingham.

travelers on the road to Birmingham had to cross the Trent either by ferry or by ford, and it was not until 1790 that the Harrington Bridge was built.

This was a toll bridge, and charges were levied on all except the Lord of the Manor, his servants and the inhabitants of Sawley and Hemington, Leicestershire.

The Sawley Memorial Hall and Community Centre, opened by Richard Attenborough in 1958, is built in honor of those who died during the two World Wars.

[12] Trent Lock Golf & Country Club is a venue for the famous annual Trilby Tour.

[14] Albeit a very picturesque part of the village, the ground was beset with problems with the likes of pastoral activity and frequent flooding from the nearby river.