Allestree Park in Derby, England, is the largest and most scenic
of the City’s parks. Lying on the northern boundary of Derby, it merges
with the attractive hilly countryside of the south Peak District
fringe. Much of the Park is a golf course, but there are a multitude of
different wildlife habitats ranging from woodland to the large lake.
The Park was laid out in late 18th century, when the present Hall was
built. The Hall is now largely empty - being the subject of several
abandoned schemes in recent years, one of them being a nature museum.
The Park is largely used for quiet recreation by Derby’s people, with a
variety of interesting walks, including a nature trail. It is easy to
get away from it all in this splendid park and it is difficult to
realise when walking in its woodlands and meadows that it lies within
the boundary of an industrial city.
There is a wealth of wildlife in the Park, including several county
rarities. This variety is partly the result of a varied underlying
geology.
The Friends of Allestree Park group was founded in 2005 and is
open to anyone who is interested in Allestree Park, its conservation,
educational and recreational value.
As well as liaising with Derby City Council, which owns and runs the
Park, the Friends have organised a programme of events, including,
talks activity days for young people, nature walks, and conservation
work parties. The latter have included tackling the alien Himalayan
balsam and cleaning out debris from part of the Lake .
A current major project is the clearing of invasive sycamore from part
of Big Wood and its replacement with native species such as oak and
birch.
LATEST:
The City Council has abandoned plans to close the animal pens, but we await to hear more on what they are doing with the ranger service. Click on 'News and Comments - News Items' at top left for more information.
Our Chairman doubly honoured! See 'News and Comments'
A new programme of events is being drawn up for the summer and autumn - keep looking at this website for further details.
The next event is an Adventure Day for Children on 6th August, for which you need to book - see 'Forthcoming Events List' for more details.
Allestree Local Study Group - The events programme of this long-established organisation is now on our website. Click on menu item in the left column.
Mike Day's Park Photos - A selection of Ranger Mike Day's stunning photographs of Allestree Park - Go to 'Articles & Special Features'
THE VARIED SCENERY OF ALLESTREE PARK:
AERIAL PHOTO OF ALLESTREE PARK
The red numbers show the location of the photos on this page
| 1. Allestree Hall
Built in the late 18th century - it is a
Grade 2* listed building. It was once the home of the Evans Family
who founded Darley Abbey Mills. Apart for a bar and other facilities of
Allestree Park Golf Club, it is now empty, being the subject of several
failed schemes in recent years, one of them being a Nature Museum.
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2. View from the Hall Gardens to
the southern boundary of the Park in early spring
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| 3. The Lake in Winter |
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| 4. The Lake in Spring |
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5. View across the Park from the southern boundary
In the foreground is a splendid old oak, one of many fine trees in the park. |
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6. Big Wood in autumn
Autumn turns Big wood into a magical place. Here sunbeams filter through a grove of yew trees.
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7. Woodlands Field in late autumn
Woodlands Field is a City Wildlife Site because of its varied flora. Views across
the Derwent Valley from here are magnificent, especially with the trees
in autumn colour and with the grass and herbage dusted with frost.
Photos by Bill Grange
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