History of Markeaton Park
The history of the park is both varied and long. There are traces of Roman and Saxon presence mainly centred round Markeaton brook, which powered the mill. The name Markeaton is derived from the Saxon Merca’ston(Marcus’village) and is mentioned in Domesday Book. Quite a substantial estate developed throughout the Middle Ages and traces of the medieval field systems still remain.
The current layout of the park and adjoining hamlet of Markeaton can be precisely derived from the late eighteenth century when the houses, public roads and fields were removed and relocated so the grounds could be landscaped in the style of Capability Brown , most probably by William Emes who lived in Mackworth.
The present Park layout reflects the private grounds which surrounded the eighteenth century Hall and stables, which were built on the foundations of the imposing Tudor house and outbuildings. The foot print of the Hall and the medieval stonework of the stables can still be seen today in the craft village and the terrace adjoining the Orangery, which is the only extant part of the Hall.
The landscaped grounds were enclosed by a double tree belt. Beyond, in what is now Allestree, the Mackworth estate and other grounds, were the deer park and farms belonging to the Mundy family who had acquired the estate in the fifteenth century.
The landscaping consisted of strategically planted individual and clumped specimen trees. Eyecatching views were devised across the park to Mackworth church and across the widened and dammed Markeaton Brook. New driveways to Derby were constructed and the locals had to use the longer winding lane to reach Ashbourne Road instead of crossing through the Park.
In the nineteenth century the pleasure grounds, which were protected from grazing sheep and cattle by a ha ha were further developed . as more and more plants were discovered and purchased to show off to the numerous visitors. At around this time the walled gardens were created to provide fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house. An ice house on the north facing slopes was used to store ice for the summer and complex heating systems were set in place in the walled gardens to grow exotic fruit and flowers.
By 1929 only the widow ,Emily, of the surviving Mundy line was living in the Hall. She and her heirs gave the Hall and grounds to the people of Derby to be used as a museum and for the people of Derby’s pleasure
It stated that
"...shall not be used for any purpose other than a park or open space and place of recreation for the benefit of the public and for their recreation and no buildings shall be erected or used in the park other than buildings for or in connection with the purposes of education, recreation or horticulture”.
In 1930 her heir gave the house, park and pleasure grounds to the people of Derby and sold them the rest .He used the money to take his family on a trip to the Holy Land
“.... The mansion house of Markeaton Hall shall not be demolished or altered without the consent in writing of the grantor and during such period the same shall not be used for any other purpose other than as an art gallery or museum or other municipal purpose of a similar character, or as a centre for recreation or catering or other convenient purpose in connection with the said park”
The council imposed a municipal air on the park by building paddling pools, boating lakes and other amenities. The walled gardens were used to grow plants for display in the city. Many more trees were planted and a mini golf course was set up.
In the Second World war the army took over the Hall and built a parade ground and several huts in the grounds, These were used for emergency housing after the war and one hut still survives as a model railway shed. Some land was taken from the park to build a crematorium and in 1964 the house and probably the nearby Dower House were demolished.
In 2012 the Council were awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to restore the grounds to the original eighteenth century layout. If you would like to see the conservation plans and a more detailed history please click the following links to access the Derby City Council downloads:
1. Derby City Council - Markeaton Restoration Project.
2. Markeaton Park Management & Maintenance Plan
The current layout of the park and adjoining hamlet of Markeaton can be precisely derived from the late eighteenth century when the houses, public roads and fields were removed and relocated so the grounds could be landscaped in the style of Capability Brown , most probably by William Emes who lived in Mackworth.
The present Park layout reflects the private grounds which surrounded the eighteenth century Hall and stables, which were built on the foundations of the imposing Tudor house and outbuildings. The foot print of the Hall and the medieval stonework of the stables can still be seen today in the craft village and the terrace adjoining the Orangery, which is the only extant part of the Hall.
The landscaped grounds were enclosed by a double tree belt. Beyond, in what is now Allestree, the Mackworth estate and other grounds, were the deer park and farms belonging to the Mundy family who had acquired the estate in the fifteenth century.
The landscaping consisted of strategically planted individual and clumped specimen trees. Eyecatching views were devised across the park to Mackworth church and across the widened and dammed Markeaton Brook. New driveways to Derby were constructed and the locals had to use the longer winding lane to reach Ashbourne Road instead of crossing through the Park.
In the nineteenth century the pleasure grounds, which were protected from grazing sheep and cattle by a ha ha were further developed . as more and more plants were discovered and purchased to show off to the numerous visitors. At around this time the walled gardens were created to provide fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house. An ice house on the north facing slopes was used to store ice for the summer and complex heating systems were set in place in the walled gardens to grow exotic fruit and flowers.
By 1929 only the widow ,Emily, of the surviving Mundy line was living in the Hall. She and her heirs gave the Hall and grounds to the people of Derby to be used as a museum and for the people of Derby’s pleasure
It stated that
"...shall not be used for any purpose other than a park or open space and place of recreation for the benefit of the public and for their recreation and no buildings shall be erected or used in the park other than buildings for or in connection with the purposes of education, recreation or horticulture”.
In 1930 her heir gave the house, park and pleasure grounds to the people of Derby and sold them the rest .He used the money to take his family on a trip to the Holy Land
“.... The mansion house of Markeaton Hall shall not be demolished or altered without the consent in writing of the grantor and during such period the same shall not be used for any other purpose other than as an art gallery or museum or other municipal purpose of a similar character, or as a centre for recreation or catering or other convenient purpose in connection with the said park”
The council imposed a municipal air on the park by building paddling pools, boating lakes and other amenities. The walled gardens were used to grow plants for display in the city. Many more trees were planted and a mini golf course was set up.
In the Second World war the army took over the Hall and built a parade ground and several huts in the grounds, These were used for emergency housing after the war and one hut still survives as a model railway shed. Some land was taken from the park to build a crematorium and in 1964 the house and probably the nearby Dower House were demolished.
In 2012 the Council were awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to restore the grounds to the original eighteenth century layout. If you would like to see the conservation plans and a more detailed history please click the following links to access the Derby City Council downloads:
1. Derby City Council - Markeaton Restoration Project.
2. Markeaton Park Management & Maintenance Plan