Plan your time in Ilkeston around its architecture, market days and outdoor activities. Each theme raises different questions: do you want architecture to shape your stay, is visiting on a market day important to you, or would you prefer more time for walking, cycling or fishing? Markets are held in the town centre every Thursday and Saturday. If you’re planning your visit around the market, check the exact dates before you travel.
Architecture between the church, town hall and school
Church of St Mary stands on Market Place and is a Grade II* listed building. Ilkeston Town Hall is a red-brick Baroque building dating from 1868. Ilkeston School is considered an outstanding example of 20th-century school architecture and is also Grade II* listed. The church, town hall and school differ in their functions and architectural perspectives. At the town hall, the year, material and style come together; the school highlights 20th-century architecture, while St Mary stands out for its listed status. Their functions, construction dates, designs and listed statuses therefore offer distinct points of comparison.
Industrial history in the collections
The Erewash Museum’s main collection areas include Stanton Ironworks, local collieries and lace factories. This adds a different cultural perspective to the individual buildings: the focus is on work and production rather than architectural style. Ironworking, mining and lace-making explore different areas of industrial and manufacturing history. If you’re interested in historical industries as well as architecture, this topic offers a clear change of focus. You can compare different cultural interests: the form and function of individual buildings, and the industries and production methods represented in the collections.
Green spaces and outdoor activities
Victoria Park in Ilkeston opened in 1897. Its design includes trees, shrubs, wildflower areas and lawns, and the park offers opportunities for walking and relaxation. Unlike the town’s buildings, the focus here is on green spaces and spending time outdoors. You can plan to visit the park for a walk or to relax. The different areas give your walk specific landscape features to enjoy, rather than describing the park simply as a green space.
Bennerley Viaduct has been open to the public since 2021 and can be used by pedestrians and cyclists. Nutbrook Trail is intended for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists. Manor Floods Nature Reserve offers opportunities for fishing, walking and cycling. Walking and cycling are therefore the shared activities at the viaduct and along the trail; Manor Floods also offers fishing and walking, while cycling is possible there too. If you’re choosing by activity, cycling is common to all three, while fishing is an additional option at Manor Floods.
Discover more destinations: Tansley, Shardlow, Pilsley, Unstone, Whatstandwell, Belper, Cromford, Clowne
For the wider travel overview: Derbyshire.
