Melbourne

  

Melbourne is a small and attractive Georgian market town in a delightful part of South Derbyshire on the edge of The National Forest. It is about 8 miles south of Derby and 2 miles from the River Trent. It contains a good range of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Melbourne means 'Mill Stream' so it is appropriate that one of the best known features is the old mill pool known as Melbourne Pool, picturesquely landscaped in 1845 for Lord Melbourne, the former Prime Minister (1779-1848).

Overlooking the pool is Melbourne Hall and Gardens. Melbourne Hall was a secondary home of Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister William Lamb who as second Viscount Melbourne gave his name to the Australian city of Melbourne in the 1830s. The present building dates from rebuildings of 1630, 1726 and 1744. The spectacular gardens were laid out by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Coke in 1704 with the assistance of the Royal gardeners London and Wise. There is also an outstanding wrought iron arbour 'The Birdcage' of 1706-8 by Robert Bakewell, and a 300ft Yew Tunnel.

The parish church of St. Michael & St. Mary, one of the finest Norman parish churches in Britain is believed to have been built c1125-35 and displays fine displays of Norman sculpture.

Melbourne was formerly known for its hosiery and silk glove factories and Thomas Cook the travel agent, born of a poor family in 1808, was employed by a Melbourne market gardener. Having found fame and fortune, Cook built a quadrangle of memorial cottages on High Street which are still run in trust.

Melbourne today has a wide range of restaurants, bistros and cafes. It also has a wealth of opportunities for shopping including galleries, antiques shops, specialist clothes stores, and local produce.

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