Ilkeston Information on Ilkeston in Derbyshire and the Erewash Valley Ilkeston town is situated in the Erewash Valley, 9 miles N.E of Derby and 8 miles N.W of Nottingham. It is the third largest town in Derbyshire. Standing on a hill, this former mining community was mentioned in Domesday when it was known as Tilchestune. The pits have closed in Ilkeston but it still a busy industrial town, whose many industries include engineering,hosiery, lace and fabrics, electronics, plastic and food distribution. A history of the town's industrial past is told in the Erewash Museum, housed in a fine Georgian building in the High Street. Ilkeston Ilkeston Ilkeston Ilkeston Despite it's industrial outlook, parks, trees and flower beds are a feature of the community and there is some pleasant countryside around the towm. Ilkeston holds weekly markets on Thursdays and Saturday's and every October there is a 3 day Charter fair, first started over 700 years ago and now perhaps one of the largest street fairs in the country and well worth a visit. St Mary's Church dates back to around the year 1200, but little is left from this period apart from the 3 East piers between the nave and the South aisle. The nave was doubled in length when the church was enlarged in 1909-10 by P. H. Currey, and the tower was rebuilt in a new position. It contains a rare and remarkable early 14th century stone screen. There is a well preserved effigy of a cross-legged knight, presumed to be that of Nicholas de Cantelupe, who died in 1272. The Cantelupes were lords of the manor in the 13th century. Opposite the church is the Town Hall, a modest barogue brick building of 1868. It was extended in 1974. Another interesting building in the market place is large red brick Carnegie Library, built in 1904 by Hunter and Woodhouse of Belper, with it's decorative Art Nouveau stone panels between the small windows under the eaves. Sport is well catered for in Ilkeston, with an 18 hole golf club just south of the town. Cricket is played at the Rutland Recreation Ground, so called, because the Dukes of Rutland once owned much of the land here. It has a football team and a rugby team. A swimming complex known as the Victoria Park Leisure Centre is situated in Manner Road and there is a 10 pin bowling alley in the town centre. For places to eat in the Ilkeston area see Ilkeston Food and Drink Dentists in Ilkeston Oasis Dental Care 8 Nottingham Road Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5RE 0115 930 9373 Ward & Alison Dental Surgery 1 Market Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5QU 0115 932 4811 The Terrace Dental Practice 8 Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE7 5RE 0115 930 9373 J Francis 28 Queen Elizabeth Way, Ilkeston, DERBYSHIRE, DE7 4NU 0115 944 0199 Doctors in Ilkeston Ilkeston Health Centre South St, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5PZ 0115 932 2968 The Old Station Surgery Heanor Rd, Ilkeston 0115 930 1055 Dr A Hancock Gladstone Street, Ilkeston, DE7 5QS 0115 944 7373 West Hallam Medical Centre The Village, West Hallam, Ilkeston, DE7 6GR 0115 932 5462 Chemists in Ilkeston Boots The Chemists 48a Bath Street Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8FD 0115 932 4730 Ilkeston Health Centre Pharmacy South Street Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5PZ 0115 930 5581 Manor Pharmacy 40 Nottingham Road Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5NL 0115 932 5447 Manor Pharmacy 48 Bath Street Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8FD 0115 932 4748 The Pharmacy The Old Station Surgery Heanor Road Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8DY 0115 932 4798 See also : Ripley Heanor Alfreton