Elvaston Castle Country Park
Located in Derbyshire, near to Derby and Nottingham, Elvaston Castle Country Park encompasses approx 200 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens.
At the heart of the estate lies Elvaston Castle, a gothic revival masterpiece (not open to the public) designed by James Wyatt in the early 1800's based on the original house dating back to 1633.
Wyatt's design, built for the third Earl of Harrington, became home to the Stanhope family until the estate was sold by the then Earl of Harrington to us in 1968.
In 1970 the estate was opened as one of the first country parks in England and today both the buildings and gardens are registered (Grade 2 and Grade 2*) as being of special architectural and historical interest.
In addition, within the estate, structures such as the recently renovated Golden Gates, Moorish Temple and Ha Ha wall provide a fascinating glimpse of the past.
The gardens are locally renowned for their rockwork structures and fine examples of topiary, originally introduced and designed by William Barron in the 19th Century.
Whatever the season there is always lots to see and do in and around the park − walking, cycling, horseriding, bird watching, picnicking, kite flying, photography, exploring the park and nature reserve and much more.
In September the park will be hosting the Derbyshire County Council Woodland Festival for its second year. This event showcases traditional and contemporary woodland crafts such as basket making, chair making, pole lathe turning and chainsaw carving.
There will be lots of hands on activities for both children and adults so come along and make your own Harry Potter style broom, some woodland jewellery, ride in the horse and cart or listen to the songs and stories of the Green Man. Please see the Woodland Festival attachment below.
Entry to the park is free. Car parking charges apply (unless you are a blue badge holder).
Opening times:
The park is open all year round. Opening times are:
9am - 5pm during winter hours (October - March)
9am - 8pm during summertime hours (April - September)
Elvaston Castle and Country Park
Borrowash Road (A6120)
Elvaston
Derby
Derbyshire
DE72 3EP
An information panel and site map can be found in the main car park, close to the lakeside path entrance. In addition a map is located within the central courtyards.
You can download an A3 site map from the related documents section on this web page or take a virtual tour of the castle and country park by using the link in the Information on other websites section.
If you have any suggestions, comments, complaints or compliments about Elvaston Castle Country Park we would be pleased to receive them. You can get in touch with us using the details on this web page.
Public transport
There are no bus services that alight directly outside the main entrance to the park. You can find out the most suitable bus and rail services by contacting:
Bus service traveline: 0870 608 2 608 or text-phone 0870 241 2216
Rail services: 08 457 48 49 50
Facilities available
- Footpath
- Bridleway/Horseriding trail
- Picnic area
- Woodland with public access
- Wildlife area
- Museum
- Light refreshments
- Parking
- Toilets
- Easy access for all
- On-site information
- Camping/Caravan site
- Children's play area
- Gardens
- Nature trail
- Events area
- Cycle path
Contact details
- Address
- Elvaston Country Park
Borrowash Road
Elvaston
Derby
DE72 3EP - Telephone
01629 533870
- countrysideservice@derbyshire.gov.uk
Related documents
The following documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download software to view PDF documents for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)
- Elvaston Country Park site map (1407KB)
- Elvaston Castle - Local Nature Reserve map (771KB)
- Elvaston LNR leaflet update 2012 (1007KB)
- Woodland Festival 2013 (501KB)