Markeaton park is probably the best known of all the parks in the City of Derby with over 207 acres of parkland attracting over one million visitors a year . It is a large park offering a wide range of leisure facilities and activities for all ages. It hosts various fairs and shows throughout the year including the yearly bonfire and firework display.
For children there is the popular Mundy Play Centre, a children's wonderland. This playground is well equipped and has seasonal attractions for most of the summer - a bouncing castle, canoes, rowing boats, children electric cars, crazy golf and donkey rides. A large paddling pool is also open from Easter to the end of September. The family friendly play area is dog-free, has level pathway with lots of places to sit, rest and to have picnics. The latest attractions to the Mundy Play Centre include Highropes and a BMX & Skate Park.
Markeaton park has a miniture steam engine which runs at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays and a Mundy Train which tours around the park. The train is under threat of closure at the moment.
Housed in the old stables of the former Markeaton Hall, a craft village contains a range of individual units selling a variety of crafts and services from pottery to photography. Though the Craft Village is open throughout the year, the opening times of each unit varies.
Facilities for the disabled include special parking bays at the Markeaton Lane entrance, an integrated play area and a Parks Mobility scheme. Various events are held at Markeaton which include park runs, fun runs, various workshops , shows, fairs as well as the Jenson Button Triathalon , held around July.
Markeaton Hall now demolished
Refreshments can be had at the Orangery Cafe on the park's terrace or from the kiosk in the Mundy Play Centre.
There are many floral features in the park including a rose garden, herbaceous border, seasonal bedding displays and trees and shrubs.
The parks main entrance and car park are at the junction of A38 and A52. There is a smaller car park, which serves the Mundy Play Centre on Markeaton Lane.
There are a variety of sports facilities at the park including football, golf and tennis.
Markeaton Park Restoration Project
Derby has received a grant of £2.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Markeaton Park Restoration project towards a £3.4 million project with the aim of restoring the Park’s historic buildings, gardens and parkland and provide new paths and play equipment. Much of this work has now been completed with
work continuing on the improvement and development of the craft village and buildings to provide a new community room, visitor reception and information room and a new accessible toilet block.
Latest activities include footgolf and the high ropes.
Photos from Markeaton Park
Darley Park hosts a stunning National Collection of Viburnum and Hydrangea
Allestree Park
Alvaston Park
Chaddesden Park
Darley Park
Derby Arboretum
Elvaston Castle Country Park
Normanton Oark