Belper River Gardens

George Herbert Strutt, a descendent of mill pioneer, Jedediah, created the Belper River Gardens in 1905. The gardens came about when the Belper Boating Association was launched. Their activities attracted so many on-lookers that a pleasure ground was created. The extensive landscaping included an arboretum, a bandstand for entertainment and tea rooms for refreshments and the river gardens retains some of these original structures and the layout of the gardens is also essentially unchanged.

Currently these beautiful gardens have amenities of a car parking, public toilets, a Mill Lade pond and ducks, children’s play area, rowing boats and boat house.

As well as a recreation area, the gardens are educational, with a wide variety of plants on show in the beautiful shrubberies and well-maintained borders.

Belper River Gardens have been described as Amber Valley’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’. They are an attractive setting for events throughout the summer months. Events include a well dressing festival in July, fortnightly Sunday band concerts from May to September Boating on the river is popular during the summer, and there is a play area for the children too.

The gardens are nestled in the glorious Derwent alongside Belper North Mill; set in the Dewent Valley Mils World Heritage Site.

Please visit in-line with current restrictions, and check their website before visiting to ensure they are open.