Queen's Park

About

Whilst Queen's Park remains open we are asking visitors to ensure that during the Coronavirus outbreak that they follow social distancing guidelines whilst exercising in the park. All play equipment and outdoor gyms must not be used and toilet facilities are currently closed.

Queen's Park was opened in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.  In its early days, the Park was a popular venue for rallies and demonstrations.  When the Derbyshire Miners' Associatiion held their rally here at the end of the 1890s it had a festive appeal with swingboats, roundabouts and coconut shies.

The Park has been restored, with a café, lake and miniature railway, as well as playing facilities for younger visitors.  There is also a bandstand - sit and listen to a local brass band playing on some Sunday afternoons during the summer.

There's also a cricket ground.  The first County Cricket match held here was between Derbyshire and Surrey, in 1898 - the same year the Cricket Pavilion was opened.  In 1904, the famous cricketer WG Grace played at Queen's Park in a match between Derbyshire and London County, and Don Bradman, the man many consider to have been the best batsman of all time, played here when the Australians toured England in the 1930s. Queen's Park still hosts County Cricket matches today.  John Hampshire, a former test batsman, called Queen's Park 'the loveliest ground in the country'.