Belper Town Council’s Outdoor Team, local authorities and the wider community of Belper take great pride in maintaining the beautiful areas of nature that Belper is privileged to have.
The Memorial Gardens
Maintained by Belper Town Council and winner of the Green Flag Award 2023 – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. The Memorial Gardens are a peaceful oasis at the top of King Street.
Once the gardens of Green Hall, a nearby Strutt house (now demolished), they were given to the town in 1921 by George Herbert Strutt as a home for the war memorial, and a place for quiet contemplation. They still provide a beautiful haven within the busy town centre towday.
The River Gardens
This garden, alongside the River Derwent was provided for the people of Belper by George Herbert Strutt, whose family built mills in the town from 1776.
In 1906, Strutt paid for a boat house, tea room, bandstand and landscaping of the gardens, which remain largely unchanged today, and are currently managed by Amber Valley Borough Council.
Much-loved by the people of the town, the River Gardens still host band concerts on summer Sundays as part of Belper Town Council’s Larks in the Park events.
As well as rowing boat and swan pedalo hire during the summer months, there is a picnic area and a play area for children, as well as easy-to-access paths around the site.
The Parks
Belper is very lucky to have a nature reserve close to the town centre. This was once an ancient deer park with hunting lodge and, later, a Manor House. The Coppice Brook runs through the Parks, which has a number of walks through woodland and meadow. The free Coppice car park by the entrance is a bonus for visitors.
Beaurepaire Gardens
Privately owned and maintained, Beaurepaire Gardens are a tranquil haven, nestled at the bottom of Bridge Hill and open to the public.