In 1840, Derby’s Arboretum was opened to the general public for the first time, after it was donated to the people of Derby by Joseph Strutt.

Strutt was a local cotton mill owner and the first Mayor of the reformed Borough of Derby. He wanted to provide the people with a place for exercise and recreation in what was then a rapidly growing town.

He commissioned the renowned John Claudus Loudon - an influential writer on horticulture and garden design in the early 1900s - to design the park. The Arboretum is one of his few remaining works. It attracted much interest nationally and internationally, and Central Park in New York was based on its original design.

Loudon designed the park to include mounds planted with trees and shrubs to disguise the paths and park boundaries and give the illusion of more space. To encourage people to walk all around the 11 acre site, no two species of tree or shrub were the same.

The Arboretum was officially opened on 16 September 1840, and the Town Council marked the occasion with a three day public holiday. There were three days of celebration which attracted over 20,000 visitors and included a procession by the town’s dignitaries, music, tea and dancing in the park, a hot air balloon launch and a firework display.

Today, the park has unique heritage value. It attracts national and international visitors and is included in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens.

Contact us

For more information contact The Arboretum park office.

Telephone 01332 292612

e-mail arboretum.park@derby.gov.uk

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