Derby Flood Defence and Derby Arboretum

We had a late start today not meeting until 06:30 and we went just down the road to Derby. Geoff wanted to have a look at the Derby Flood Defence system and a walk into Derby Arboretum. He's lived in Derby for many years but has never been to the Arboretum. We parked in Handyside Street and just walked down to St. Mary's bridge where the flood barriers are. Its a massive brick wall with a pair of huge gates that seal off the road in case of flood. We did a few pics then back to the car and parked up on Old Nottingham Road next to Browns Foundry. We headed off on the footpath that took us over the footpath and eventually up Traffic St, Bradshaw Way and along Osmaston Road past some big houses to the Arboretum. Its a lovely park and looks well kept.
Derby Arboretum opened in 1840 and is often described as "Britain's first public park". Although green spaces and common lands had existed previously, as had private parkland and gardens, the park in Derby was the first to be deliberately planned as a place of public recreation in an urban setting.

The Arboretum was donated to the town in 1840 by Joseph Strutt, a former mayor of Derby and member of a prominent local family of industrialists. A noted philanthropist, Strutt was grateful to the working people of Derby for the part they had played in helping him and his family amass their fortune, and wanted to convey his thanks by providing a much needed recreational facility for a rapidly expanding and urbanising area. Strutt commissioned John Claudius Loudon to design the park, and Loudon adapted Strutt's original plans for a botanical garden and pleasure grounds to his own vision, incorporating landscaped walkways.

After walking through the park we wandered back to Derby railway station to have a look at the new platforms under construction. We had our breakfast there then went back to the car via the Roundhouse and Bass's recreation ground.

Part of Derby's flood defence

Flood gates

Traffic Street

Osmaston Road

Whats left of the old DRI

Arboretum Square

Benefactor Joseph Strutt

Climbing frame in the park next to the Arboretum

Climbing wall in the park

Rob on the zip wire

War memorial for railway personnel

Entrance to Derby Railway Station

Geoff

Weather Vane next to the Roundhouse

Skate Park in Bass's Recreation Ground

Ike & Geoff

Campers in the park

Electricians working on the cables alongside the track

Clock Tower on the old Nottingham Rd Stables

Think these were the stables for the Racecourse.

A gentle stroll around Derby visiting the Arboretum and the railway station.Surprised at how nice the Arboretum is and really well kept and full of tame squirrels.

See you next week