Nutwood Local Nature Reserve is an ancient woodland situated upstream from Darley Abbey village, above the west bank of the river Derwent, a little further up than Darley Park. The 10 hectares extend to several hundred metres up from where the toll bridge crosses. This is the main point of access. You can also access the area by walking down from the footpath that starts in Darley Abbey off South Avenue.

Much of this area of 'wildspace' is situated on land which was once Darley Abbey municipal landfill site. The reclaimed area is now home to 180 species of plants and a variety of mammals, birds and insects. There are regular sights of snipe and kestrels. The ancient woodland and wetland provides a natural habitat for large specimens of hazel and willow. You can also find the bees orchid plants here.

Nutwood is also home to the Midland Canoe Club .

It achieved its status as a nature reserve in January 2008. In May 2008 the Mayor of Derby, who was Pauline Latham, officially opened the area along with representatives form Darley Open Spaces Friends Group and employees of Derby City Parks.

See map of the area 

Visit Nutwood site -

Contact us

For more information contact Derby City Parks.

Telephone 01332 293111 during office hours

Park Rangers 01332 367800 every day, including weekends, from 9am until 9.30pm.

email parksadmin@derby.gov.uk