Darley Park is situated on the northern side of the city, between the A6 road and the river Derwent, with
Darley Fields situated on the opposite side of the river. There are also
Nutwood (Local Nature Reserve),
Chester Green,
Parker's Piece and
Derwent Park, all linked to the park and the surrounding area. At first appearance the park is made up mainly of a vast expanse of grass, but there are many hidden aspects, like the butterfly garden.
At the Darley Abbey 
end there is a weir, an old stone public house (which was once part of the Abbey) and the walled gardens. From here to the city end the park is approximately a mile in length. At the city end of the park you will find Derby Rowing Club .
History
The parks location was once home to the county's most important monastic institution - a house of Augustinian Canons established in 1137 and dedicated to St Helena. It was much later donated to the city by the famous Evans Family .
The park was opened in 1931 by HRH Prince George by (Later Duke of Kent), on the same day that Markeaton Park was opened. At the time the Georgian red brick Darley mansion remained but it had to be demolished in the 1960s, many of its bricks are used in constructions around the 80 acres of park today. See Darley Park History - 
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There are a number of entrances into the park:
Darley Grove.
Darley Park Drive, off the small roundabout on the A6.
Poplar Row at the north end of the park.
Through the bottom end of Darley Abbey where there is parking also available but limited and via the Derwent Riverside Walk.
Facilities and Features
- floral features, there are seasonal bedding displays, herbaceous border, roses, National Collection of Viburnum and Hydrangea, trees and shrubs and a wild flower meadow. A leaflet is available on the National Collection from tourist information centre
- Darley tree trail leaflet -
312Kb, also available from the tourist information centre, and the receptions at Council buildings
- orienteering Course
- cricket pitch and pavilion
- children's play area including swings and seesaw
- café, with terraced area having fine views over the park.
Darley Park is also the host to one the cites most enjoyed annual events, The Darley Park Concert, an evening of classical music and a firework display. This usually takes place on the last Sunday in August or the first Sunday in September.
Darley Park is is also home to the Darley Barn outdoor activity centre . This activity centre is relatively new to the park. It is situated at the Darley Abbey end of the park. You may wish to see the latest version of the Darley Barn Newsletter - 441kb
Friends
& Activities
Darley Park is covered, along with other surrounding open spaces, by a very active and keen friends group. The Friends of Darley Open Spaces (FoDOS), is supported by the Derby Parks. If you would like to become a member please contact them, telephone 01332 556447 or email fodos.hr@btinternet.com
See FoDOS Summer 2008 Newsletter - 741kb and The Darley Gala Newsletter - 1.83Mb
British Military Fitness is a great fun way of losing weight and getting fit. They are running classes in the park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 19.00 and Saturdays at 10.00. The trial class is FREE! For more information, please visit the BMF site - 
or call 0207 751 9742. For events in all of Derby's Parks go to the Parks Events page.
Race for Life , a charity event for Cancer Research also takes place each May.
Pictures & Links
For some great pictures of Darley Park visit Derby Photos
also 360 images at- Derby Photos 360 degree images
Click the thumbnails below to see full sized images.
View a Map of the area (Darley Park on the East of the Derwent)
Contact us 
For more information contact Derby City Parks.
Telephone 01332 715507 during office hours
Park Rangers 01332 367800 every day, including weekends, from 9am until 9.30pm.
Fax 01332 716512
Minicom 01332 256666
email parksadmin@derby.gov.uk
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