Food & drink
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates - Following the Government’s change in guidance, visitors can enjoy and make more use of Derby’s parks and open spaces.
The Derby Parks team are asking all park users to be considerate and continue to use social distancing to keep themselves and each other safe. Some facilities remain closed, please visit the news story for up to date information. You can contact the parks team by email at parksadmin@derby.gov.uk
The Orangery at Markeaton Park Craft Village will be open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.00pm, Weekends 9.30am-5.00pm until 1 Nov. From 2nd Nov the times will change to Monday to Friday 9.30am-3.30pm, weekends 9.30am-4.00pm.
Chaddesden Park will be only open at the weekends 10am-5pm until 1 Nov, then from 2 Nov onwards will be weekends only 10am-4pm.
Alvaston Park is open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm and weekends 9am-5pm until November 1st. Then from 2 Nov onwards Monday to Friday 10am-3:30pm weekends 9am-4pm.
The Waterside Café at Alvaston Park are opening for takeaway Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm, and Weekends 9am to 5pm.
Only open at the weekends 10.00-5.00 until 1st November, and then they close until February half term.
The Ice Cream Kiosk at Mundy Play Centre Markeaton is open weekends 10am-5pm until 1st November, and then they close until February half term.
There is also a new Pizza Kiosk at Mundy Play Centre Markeaton, which is open weekends 10am-5pm until 1st November, and then they close until February half term.
Park Public Toilets
Toilets at the Markeaton Park Craft Village are open between 10am – 5pm and are being monitored throughout the day. To ensure staff and public safety, one male, one female and one disabled toilet will be available with appropriately distanced queues and enhanced cleaning in place. We are constantly reviewing these procedures.
Toilets are also open at:
Allestree Park 7:30am – 5pm
Alvaston Park 10am – 4pm
Chaddesden Park 11am - 4pm
Darley Park 10am – 4pm
Enhanced cleaning operations and social distancing are key to their successful operation.
Paddling Pool and Water Play
Owing to safety concerns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Markeaton Park paddling pool, and the splash pad at Chaddesden Park, will stay closed for the summer season.
For more information visit Derby Parks COVID-19 updates news page.
We apologise for not being able to provide water play this summer, but your safety is our priority.
At our parks we have a great selection of venues offering food and drinks, so whether you are out for a walk with the family, taking the bike for a spin, or just looking for a place to relax there are plenty of options for you.
Wed 18 Mar 2020
This is a difficult time for us all, but the welfare of our visitors and staff must always come first. Derby Parks will temporarily close the doors of its cafés and community buildings to the public in response to the government’s latest advice concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This means The Orangery at Markeaton Park, Waterside Café at Alvaston Park, Chaddesden Community Café, and Markeaton Park Kiosk will be closed from and including Thursday 19 March 2020, for at least 30 days. Visit our Parks news page for updates.
Darley Park Tea Rooms and Normanton Park Café are privately operated, and we will provide you with updates as we receive them.
Telephone: 01332 611798
The Orangery overlooks Markeaton Park's formal gardens. It is found in the Grade 2 Listed Orangery building, overlooking the terrace garden. Make sure to pay us a visit to taste our delicious food and drinks.
Opening times are as follows:
Until Mon 30 Oct
| Monday - Friday | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday - Sunday |
9am - 5pm |
From Mon 30 Oct to Fri 16 Feb
| Monday - Friday | 10am - 3pm |
| Saturday - Sunday |
9am - 5pm |
Darley Park Tea Rooms
If you are looking for a place to rest your legs and warm up after a walk in Darley Park then the Tea Rooms is the place for you. Darley Park café is situated in the last remaining room of Darley Park's former mansion. Serving a range of hot and cold drinks, hot food, cakes and ice cream, the café is a great little spot to sit down and enjoy the view over the terrace of the whole park and the city beyond.
Opening times are as follows:
| Summer | 9am - 5pm |
| Winter | 9.30am - 4:30pm |
Waterside Café
Overlooking the lake at Alvaston Park is the lovely Waterside Café. If you are looking for a bite to eat this is a fantastic option for breakfast and lunch, with a great selection of homemade cakes, drinks and ice-cream also available. For more details please visit the Alvaston Park page.
Our opening hours are as follows:
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday - Sunday | 9am - 4pm |
Community Cafe @ Chaddesden Park
At the heart of Chaddesden Park is the volunteer run Community Cafe. The cafe was built in 2009 by volunteers and has become the centre-piece for activity and events in the park. There is a varied selection of food and drinks available through the year.
Opening hours are as follows:
| Weekends | 9am - 5pm weather permitting |
| School holidays | 9am - 5pm |
| Closed Winter | after October Half Term, re-opens at Easter |
Markeaton Park Kiosk
Markeaton Park has a seasonal refreshment kiosk which serves cold and hot drinks, ice-cream and snacks.
Opening times are as follows:
| Until 31 Dec | Saturday - Sunday | 10am - 4:30pm |
| From Mon 30 Oct until Fri 16 Feb | 10am - 4:30pm |
Normanton Park Cafe
Normanton Park café is run by Green Thyme, a community allotment group set up to help support and deliver gardening activities within the local area. Their aim is to work with the local community, school groups, nurseries and children's centres and provide a range of hands on activities which are enjoyable, memorable, relevant and designed to bring them closer to their natural environment. Find out more at facebook.com/GreenThyme