Nottingham Road Cemetery

The Derby Burial Board was formed in 1853 to find cemetery space for the expanding population. Nottingham Road was the first municipal cemetery it created. The cemetery was originally a plot of 32 acres between Nottingham Road (then the main route out of town to the east) and the Derby Canal. The grounds were laid out by James Lee of Hammersmith, London. The planting followed advice given by William Barron, the head gardener at Elvaston Castle. The ground was consecrated in April 1855 by the Bishop of Lichfield, John Lonsdale, leaving 8 acres unconsecrated for Catholic and non-denominational burials. The cemetery opened on 1 May. Gardeners were employed to maintain the grounds, at least 11…

The carriage entrance archway is in a gothic style. It consists of gatehouse with a lodge on either side, linked to a screen wall. The gatehouse has a clock tower above the arch and wrought iron gates. It is a grade II listed building. A collection of elaborate Edwardian memorials from the inter-war period is just to the south of the arch. Several of the monuments are in white marble and include open Bibles, urns, and angels. The cemetery also contains two chapels, one Anglican and one non-conformist, though the Anglican one is no longer used for services.