ELVASTON CASTLE SHORT WALK
THE WALK
This is an easy relaxing walk that explores the grounds and gardens of the Elvaston Estate. The Castle and Country Park and Nature Reserve has over 300 acres of woodland, parkland and formal gardens. Despite its proximity to the southern fringes of Derby, the area remains rural in character with several working farms in the neighbourhood. In 1969, it was established as the first country park in England.
Route Point 1 – To the north of Elvaston Castle, Barron created an ornamental lake with islands and rockwork. On the southern side, he developed half a dozen formal gardens. To compensate for the lack of an interesting view, he enclosed the gardens with high hedges to create a view within the gardens themselves. In contrast, he designed two striking open avenues 50 feet wide and 400 yards in length. The Country Park has over 200 acres of woodland, parkland and formal gardens and is the home of the Elvaston Local Nature Reserve. To the north of the car park, the land is used to stage events including the County Show and Elvaston Steam Rally. The film “Women in Love” created a lot of local interest at the time of its production. Elvaston Castle was used for interior (fight) and exterior (drowning) scenes.
Point 2 – Elvaston Nature Reserve contains veteran trees that were originally part of William Barron’s landscape design from the 19th century. It is also connected to the more formal gardens and estate by waterways that feed Elvaston’s Lake and wider gardens. The Woodland Festival is an annual event that takes place in the park with lots of fun activities for all the family. There are demonstrations by professionals, from wood carving, turning, bushcraft, and willow weaving and even opportunities for visitors to take part. Other attractions include outdoor theatre, historical re-enactment, Green Man storytelling, working horses and traditional fairground rides. Also, there is an array of stalls selling gifts, crafts, furniture and other timber products as well as food.
Point 4 – At the heart of the estate lies Elvaston Castle, a gothic revival masterpiece designed by James Wyatt in the early 1800s based on the original house dating back to 1633. It was built for the third Earl of Harrington and became home to the Stanhope family until the estate was sold to a quarrying company in 1968. In 1969 the then Derby Corporation purchased the estate from the company and in 1970 the estate was opened as a country park.
Point 5 – Close to the castle is St Bartholomew’s Church with its fine perpendicular west tower. There is an entry in the Domesday Book of a church and priest in the manor of Elvaston, Ambaston and Thulston. Marks can still be seen on Sir John Stanhope’s tomb, made by the Roundheads’ swords. Only a short distance from the church is Elvaston Cricket Club’s impressive tree-lined ground and a new pavilion. The club played at Lords for the first time in 1994, when they won the National Village Cup. By the cricket ground is Elvaston Equestrian Centre.
Point 6 – It was the third Earl of Harrington who acquired the Golden Gates to enhance the approach to the castle. They were reputed to have been removed as spoils of war by Napoleon from a Royal Palace in Madrid. Then taken by him to Versailles for display. Following Napoleon’s defeat in 1819, the Earl had them shipped to England. Originally the gates were placed in front of the castle before being moved to their present location. They have recently been restored in their original colours. The entire structure is 115 feet long and 20 feet high. It is supported at either end by stone pillars faced with Chellaston alabaster. Topped with 18th-century statues, depicting Jason and the Golden Fleece and Hercules and the Nemean Lion. The Harrington coat of arms sits centrally on top of the gate.
Point 7 – The Old English Garden is surrounded by walls and although not large provides a welcome space to sit and relax. It was originally an area for plants under glass within which fruit, vegetables and exotic plants were grown for the Stanhope family. In the 1970s it was redesigned, A small corner of the garden was raised and dedicated to herb growing. But in 2011, a community project was set up to turn it into a sensory garden and improve access, with an emphasis on the sight-impaired.
ELVASTON WALK ROUTE
- With the lake and gardens behind you walk towards the entrance to the car park. Then a few yards before reaching the road, turn left down a wide tree-lined path with the events field on your left. At an intersection of tracks stay on the tree-lined path that soon starts to curve sharply to the left as you progress.
2. Ignore all minor paths to the left, and continue along the same track as it bends sharply towards Elvaston Castle. A path to the right takes you into Elvaston Nature Reserve if you wish to divert before returning to the main walk. Ignore the path signed to the car park. Just before reaching a bridge turn left along a path by Elvaston Lake which was created by William Barron with man-made islands and rockwork.
3. Continue along the path with the lake on your right and follow it around the other side past an old boathouse. Before walking up a slope to the gothic-style castle designed in the early 19th century by the architect James Wyatt, for the 3rd Earl of Harrington.
4. Walk into the courtyard at Elvaston Castle and go to the left into the gardens. Before entering the gardens, you may like to go under the clock tower arch and visit the shop and visitor centre.
5. On your right, a path leads to St Bartholomew’s Church with its fine perpendicular west tower. Marks can still be seen on Sir John Stanhope’s tomb, made by the Roundheads’ swords.
6. With the castle behind you walk down the central path and follow it out of the formal garden through a wooded area. To reach the elaborate blue and gold, cast-iron Golden Gates. These were acquired by the Earl as a ‘spoil of war’ having reputedly been taken from the Royal Palace at Madrid to Versailles and then to Elvaston.
7. Here you turn left along an estate road. But only for a short distance before going to the left again along a wide access track that twists and turns. Before running alongside a high garden wall to the Old English Garden. The garden was redesigned in the 1970s and is a good place to relax and enjoy the environment.
8. Go to the right at the end of the garden wall and walk a short distance along an access track. Before turning left along a path that runs close to the B5010. This will return you to the road into the car park where you started the walk.
REFRESHMENTS
Wyatts at Elvaston Castle is a café located within Elvaston Castle. For more information: Telephone 01332 987623.
The Harrington Arms, 4 Grove Close, Thulston is a short distance to the south of Elvaston. For more information: Telephone 01332 571798