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Allestree Park in Derby, England, is the largest and most scenic of the City’s parks. Although lying on the northern boundary of the city of Derby, it merges with the attractive hilly countryside of the south Peak District fringe. A substantial area of the Park is a golf course, but there are a multitude of different wildlife habitats ranging from woodland to the large lake. Indeed, much of the Park is a designated Local Nature Reserve.
To see the current management plan for the Local Nature Reserve (due for revision in 2012) click on the button here (Note - there is a short delay with the links on this site):
Bluebell Time Again
PICTURE: Big Wood Allestree Park, 30th April 2012
by Bill Grange
The history of the Park goes back to the 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 project. 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 s a wealth of wildlife in the Park, including several county rarities. This variety is partly the result of a varied underlying geology.
To obtain a membership form go to 'The Friends' - menu at the top of this page
Latest News:
Path Restoration Sessions are taking place in April and May - click on 'The Friends', then 'Forthcoming Events List' at the top of this page.
Elms for Butterlies:
To see a report - click on button
Mick Day, Park Ranger Retires:
To see a report - click on button.
New Noticeboards for Allestree Park
To see a report - click on button
Allestree Park Local Nature Reserve Managment Meeting, November 2011:
This was held at Portway School on 23rd November, 2011.
For a f ull account of the meeting - click on button.
Park Improvement Lottery Bid Approved: In late 2010 FOAP submitted an application to the Community Spaces Fund of the National Lottery for some major improvements to Allestree Park. In February of this year we were delighted to be told that the application was successful and that we could proceed to a more detailed Stage 2 application. After much work, the second stage application was sent off in July and we learned that it had been approved! We are grateful to the many people who sent messages of support for the application (a requirement by the National Lottery administrators).
LATEST: Work started on these projects in early November, 2011 and is now complete: We now have a newly surfaced path from the main car park to the lake, restoration of the most severely eroded parts of the lake shore and much of the sycamore and rhododendron cleared from an extensive area in the centre of Big Wood.
There will be a big event in the Park on 16th June to mark completion of our Community Spaces Project: Keep looking at the website for more information on this.
An illustrated article on the current progress of the project can be seen by clicking on the button.
Famous Tree Branch Now Gone!
Probably the best-known tree branch in Allestree Park is now no more. To learn more and to see a request for help, go to the article under 'News'. Click on the tab at the top of this page.
New Nature Trails!
To download two new nature trails for the Park, click on the button.
New Bird and Bat Boxes for Allestree Park
To see a report - click on button
New Information Panels:
The Allestree Neighbourhood Board has funded the production of two lectern-style information panels designed by FOAP committee member, Bill Grange and manufactured by Pryor Signs of Rotherham. Each of these contains some basic information about the park, with an aerial photograph and pictures of a selection of its wildlife. One panel has been erected at the main car park, the other at the Woodlands Lane car park. A picture of the one in situ at Woodlands Lane is shown below.
Contributions to this website are welcome:
We welcome any pictures and or articles featuring Allestree Park for the website. If you have any views on how the Park is being managed, we would be pleased to put them on the website, too. Please send material to Bill Grange. Pictures submitted so far can be seen on 'Other Pictures of the Park' (Go to 'Articles and special Features' - menu at top of 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 |  |
| 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
Site compiled by Bill Grange |
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