Chester Green or Little Chester was designated a Conservation Area in September 1991 in recognition of its historic character and townscape value. The area was incorporated into the Borough of Derby in the 1550’s but has an even older history.

Chester Green, the open land which is the centrepiece of the area, is first referred to by name in written records dating back to 1495, and has been a public park since 1886. In modern times the name little Chester, applied to the district as a whole, seems to have overtaken the "correct" name in popular usage

Factoids

• Little Chester was once the site of Roman Derventio

• A large Roman Fort once stood at Little Chester

• A Roman hypocaust was found near the Cricket Pavilion

By the late 18th century, industry began to establish itself along the river bank. This was on a small scale until the Union Foundry was established by William Peach in the late 1840’s on City Road. This was taken over and expanded by Alfred Haslam in 1865, later to become the home to Prestige and latterly Aida Bliss, it's future is uncertain as plans are afoot to build 15 houses and some 140 apartments.

Roman Camp above, which is just about opposite the cricket Pavilion shown below, during recent excavations a Roman hypocaust was found near to the pavilion on Parkers Piece, which is shown below right

Above left is Stone House Prebend (School Farm) which is Grade II listed, this sits at the top of Parkers Piece, above right are the rows of houses opposite parkers piece, and opposite on the left is a relatively new development down from the Aida/Bliss site

Below is the Duke of Clarence on Mansfield Road, which stands opposite St Mary's Wharf

These grand houses are on Chester Green Road which stands at the top edge of Chester Green and are virtually opposite the car park next to Aida/Bliss

On Marcus Street a 3^rd Century Roman Well can be found, shown above left, all the stone below the grating is original Roman masonry, above right is a stone slab depicting the original position of Ryknield Street

A large Roman house stood adjacent to this site at the end of the 3^rd Century and some of the foundations stones are shown here, opposite left and below, wooden walls were slotted into the holes and wooden posts to support the roof were pegged into the square stones in the middle, more of this building lies underneath the new houses

Traditional terrace housing around Marcus Street area

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