Markeaton Park has over 207 acres of parkland and is one of Derby's largest parks attracting over 1 million visitors a year making it one of the most popular parks in the East Midlands. The Park offers a wide range of activities and attractions for people of all ages.
For more information contact Derby City Parks.
Telephone 01332 293111, or email parksadmin@derby.gov.uk
Fill in the Greenstat questionnaire and let us know what you think of the park - 
, or you can complete the Markeaton Park Masterplan Consultation. If you have any comments, photographs or memories you would like to share then send them to memories.markeaton@derby.gov.uk
Location
The park is situated approximately 1.5 miles from the City Centre and borders on to the suburbs of Mackworth, along the A52, and Allestree, along Kedleston Road.
Access
Car
The main entrance to the park is off the Markeaton traffic island where the A38 and A52 cross, here you will find the park's main car park. (Please be aware that there is a 2 metre height restriction). Additional parking is located on the opposite side of the park by the Mundy play centre which is accessed off Markeaton Lane. (You may park here if you have a high top vehicle. The barrier will be up during the day).
Car Parking charges: Up to 4 hours - £1.50 Up to 8 hours - £2.20
Disabled Drivers - There are a number of allocated spaces for Disabled badge holders on both car parks, the ones on the main car park are near to the Pitch and Putt hut. Disabled parking is free even if you choose not to use a dedicated bay, as long as the permit is on display.
For use in Satellite Navigation systems, the main entrance - DE22 4AA (actually postcode of nearby fast food establishment). For Markeaton Lane the nearest property is - DE22 4NH, please do not venture onto their driveway, the park entrance is roughly opposite. There is also a postcode for the craft village on the park which is DE22 3BG, but there is no public parking here.
Foot
Again the main entrance to the park is via Markeaton traffic island and Markeaton Lane however access on foot can be gained at a number of locations around the periphery of the park in particular via Kedleston Road.
Bus
There are frequent buses to Markeaton Park. The park is located on the following bus routes bus routes: One, 29, 90, 108, 202, 414 and 422. For further details telephone traveline on 0871 200 2233.
Cycle
The traffic free cycle route, Derby cycle route 66 runs in close proximity parallel to the park’s eastern boundary. It links up to the National cycle route 54. For more information on cycling visit the Cycle Derby page.
View a Map of the Area.
History
Markeaton Park’s earliest reference comes from the Norman period when it was mentioned in William the Conqueror’s Doomsday book. The land known as Markeaton Park today was owned by the Earl of Chester by Goscelin, one of his Norman lieutenants, and then by his descendants, the Touchets, Lord Audley. There was a large wooden and stone house surrounded by a deer park.
The Markeaton Hall estate was bought by the Mundy family in 1516. The first hall was built in 1519 and then rebuilt in 1755 (Markeaton Hall), using Derby architect James Denstone, the Orangery and stables were added later in around 1771. The Mundy family turned the deer park into landscape similar to Lancelo. On the death of Emily Mundy in 1929, her heir Rev Clark Maxwell, removed to Mackworth and gave 20 acres of land to the then borough council including the Hall. One year later the Council purchased 180 acres and Markeaton Park, along with Darley Park, was formally opened in 1931 by HRH Prince George (later to be the Duke of Kent). The lake was enlarged a few years later for boating and trout fishing and was opened by Edward Prince of Wales on July 4 1934. The Hall was demolished in November 1964 due to its dilapidated state.
Today
The area where the Hall once stood is known today as Markeaton Terrace, and features attractive floral displays including formal flower beds and a fountain. There is a café based in the former Orangery, which provides refreshments and a seating area where visitors can relax and take in the impressive bedding displays. The old stable yard now houses Markeaton craft village.
Events
The Park is host to a number of events throughout the year. One of the largest events held is the annual Bonfire and Fireworks - display. There is also Eco-Fest which takes place every two years, usually over two days in September. In autumn the annual walk for diabetes takes place. In October both Darley and Markeaton Park host The Big Draw .
For more details on future events on all of Derby's parks visit the Park Events page. There is also a park tree trail 
- 918kb.
Facilities
- Mundy Play Centre - This is a children’s paradise suitable for under 13s. There are donkey rides, canoes (under 13s), crazy golf, bouncy castle (under 12s), electric cars/bikes (under 11s) and a large paddling pool.
- Craft Village - It was established in 1997 and is housed in the old stables of Markeaton Hall. Its contains a number of units selling a variety of crafts and services.
- Pitch and Putt - This is a full 18 hole course. The course is varied with green distances between 86 – 135 yards. The cost is £4.10 full price and £1.90 for concessions. Recreational rates are £3.80 and concessions £1.90. Club and ball hire is £1.30 and a £3 deposit is required for hire of each club or putter, plus 50p a ball. Tickets and equipment hire is available from the pitch and putt kiosk adjacent the course.
- Fishing Lake - The lake is actually part of the Markeaton Brook - , which has been artificially widened as it passes through the park. All fishing tickets are interchangeable between sites on day of purchase. Day tickets are £4.30 and £2.15 for concessions. All users must hold a valid rod licence.
- Football Pitches - For bookings and availability contact the Rangers Office at Darley Playing Fields.
- Floral Displays - The park hosts a number of impressive horticultural displays, including a traditional herbaceous border and a collection of Narcissus varieties, which are a spectacular sight during spring. The Rose gardens feature both new and old varieties which provides a heady combination of fragrance and colour. There are also seasonal bedding displays, a demonstration garden and a wide variety of established trees and shrubs. Markeaton Park also houses the Council's nursery, which produces around half a million bedding plants for the city. It is generally not open to the public but once a year it is for the Glasshouse Open Day.
- Light Railway - A 15 inch minimum gauge rail track opened in 1989 and is one of the cheapest in the country for its size, 1,400 yards. There are two diesel locomotives in used, which run every 25 minutes, dependant on logistics. The railways is open all year and runs every weekend and during all school holidays, (except Christmas Day). The service is weather permitting.
- Cricket Pitch - For bookings and availability contact the Rangers Office at Darley Playing Fields.
- Tennis Courts - There are both tarmac and grass courts available. For bookings and availability contact the
Rangers Office at Darley Playing Fields.
- Wheeled sports facility - This is for the use of skateboards/, BMXs and rollerblades. The concrete structure includes ramps, rail and ½ pipes.
- Markeaton Terrace Café - A cafeteria based in the former Orangery on the park's terrace in front of the attractive gardens, flowerbeds and fountain which has both internal and external seating. Opening is both seasonal and weather permitting. Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 3pm. Saturday/ Sunday, Bank Holidays and School Holidays, 8.30am - 5pm. (Until October 2010). For more details telephone - 01332 205445
- Kiosk - In the Mundy play centre.
Coming soon......Famous trains - . This charity wishes to host a new project on Markeaton Park. They want to start a model train exhibit using a defunct building near to where the Light Railway is situated.
Pictures
For some excellent pictures and information visit -
Pictures of Markeaton - or Markeaton Pictures - 
Have a look at the Markeaton Walk - or click on the thumbnails below to see large images of the flowerbeds and winter scenes.
Links
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