Belper River Gardens

Mill View, Belper DE56 1FE United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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Quick Facts About Belper River Gardens

Belper River Gardens is a highly praised location for photography. Local photographers often recommend it to their clients for family, pet, and wedding shoots because of its stunning grounds and well-kept appearance. The historic mills create a beautiful backdrop, and the flowing river Derwent adds to its charm. The gardens offer a variety of opportunities for capturing breathtaking images.

One of the main attractions at the River Gardens is the chance to interact with the wildlife. Visitors can have fun feeding the geese, ducks, gulls, and pigeons. The pigeons are particularly friendly and will land on you if you stay still. However, if you prefer to keep your distance, it is best to keep walking while feeding them. There is also a famous limping goose named Camilla who hisses loudly for food and loves to peck away at other birds. Despite her limp, she proves to be a feisty and entertaining bird.

The presence of a nice café within the gardens adds to the overall experience. Visitors can sit and enjoy their surroundings while indulging in a cuppa and cob. This provides a fantastic spot to relax and spend time in a tranquil environment.

The River Gardens are primarily enjoyed by locals rather than being a major tourist attraction. This creates a sense of exclusivity and allows for a more peaceful and intimate experience. The gardens serve as a haven for locals to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with their natural surroundings.

One of the strengths of Belper River Gardens is its suitability for picnics. Many visitors find it to be a great location to lay out a blanket and enjoy a meal. It is recommended to bring a folding chair as the grass can sometimes suffer from the mess created by the geese. Nonetheless, the lovely view of the river compensates for this minor inconvenience. The nearby Field Lane car park is reasonably priced and provides easy access to the gardens. Taking a walk up King Street leads to the Memorial Gardens, which feature a beautiful flower display.

The gardens are well-maintained and offer a sense of tranquility amidst their historical surroundings. The period bandstand adds to the charm, and its proximity to Belper town center and the historic East Mill makes it a convenient destination for locals and tourists alike. The gardens are also part of the historic Belper Town Trail, further enhancing their appeal.

Visitors appreciate the informative interpretation boards scattered throughout the gardens, which provide insight into its history and significance. Additionally, there is a good children's playground with rocks for kids to scramble on, making it a family-friendly destination.

The River Gardens continue to be stunning regardless of the time of year. Even in mid-February, visitors are impressed by the beauty of the surrounding area, including the remains of flood detritus trees and branches, which enhance the experience and attract a diverse array of birdlife. Many people plan to return during the summer to fully appreciate the gardens in their prime.

Despite all its strengths, it is unfortunate to note that the Mill museum in the River Gardens will be closing in the summer due to funding being withdrawn. This is a loss for the overall experience and the historical significance of the area.

In conclusion, Belper River Gardens is a highly regarded location that offers stunning grounds, a well-kept appearance, and a range of opportunities for photography. Its interaction with wildlife, including friendly pigeons and a famous limping goose, adds to its charm. The presence of a nice café and its peaceful ambiance make it an ideal spot for relaxation. The gardens are primarily enjoyed by locals, providing an exclusive and intimate experience. The ability to have picnics and the informative interpretation boards further enhance the visitor's enjoyment. Despite its imminent closure, the Mill museum in the River Gardens serves as a valuable historical attraction. Overall, the gardens are a beautiful and enjoyable destination throughout the year.

Best TL Reviews

I am a local photographer and this is one of my most favourite haunts. Its somewhere I always suggest to my clients as a location for family, pet or even wedding preshoots. I have even done a wedding shoot here. Stunning grounds, very well kept!

Love spending time at the beautiful River Gardens! The historic mills create a stunning backdrop, and the river Derwent flows through.

You can have so much fun feeding the geese, ducks, gulls and pigeons. The pigeons will land on you if you stay still, so if you would rather not entertain them at such close quarters, keep walking as you feed. There's a somewhat famous limping goose - she's a Greylag X Canada goose that the locals have christened Camilla. She hisses at you loudly for food and pokes her tongue out, and she loves to peck all the other birds away too. So don't be fooled by her limp - she's a feisty bird!

There's a very nice cafe in the gardens and it's a fabulous spot to sit and while the time away.

The River Gardens are not really a tourist attraction as such - they're more for locals to enjoy I'd say.

They're just a thoroughly nice place to relax and enjoy the water, the history, the wildlife, and a cuppa and cob ????????????

Great Location for a Picnic. Take a folding Chair as the Geese make a mess of the grass. Lovely view of the river. well worth parking in Field Lane car park as well and taking a walk up King street. Parking is reasonably priced and on the flat. A tree lined path at the side of Poundland takes you out into the Pedestranized King street. Great varaiety of cafes and shops. Turn left up the hill and on the right you will find the Memorial Gardens. Filled with a great flower display . See Photos

Very tranquil, well maintained and beautiful garden with period bandstand. Close to Belper town centre and the historic East Mill. Part of the historic Belper Town Trail

Considering its mid Feb I thought this place was excellent. The surrounding river had the remains of flood detritus trees and branches which was actually enhancing especially for the birdlife. We will be returning in the summer.

Plenty of interpretation boards to explain the history of this, well-cared for garden. Good children's playground with rocks for kids to scramble

Beautiful gardens and gentle sou d of horse shoe falls. Visit the Mill museum whilst it is still open and unfortunately will close in the summer due to funding being withdrawn.

This is a stunning park regardless of the time of year you visit.

Lovely park to have a walk around.