Melbourne - Page 3 of 3
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The name of Melbourne signifies 'mill on the brook' or 'a mill stream' and the story of Melbourne is a long one. The Doomsday Book records the existence of a church here in 1086. Nothing much is known of that church, but with important Anglo-Saxon remains nearby at Breedon and Repton, it was possibly a substantial building. Early in the twelfth century someone with great wealth and authority replaced this church with the magnificent building we now see.

Factoids

• Melbourne Hall once belonged to Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s first Prime Minister

• Melbourne’s Wake Fair, has been running since the 1500s

• Melbourne Parish Church has been described as a "cathedral in miniature"

• Amongst the top ten Norman churches in England.

• Melbourne is the birthplace of travel agency pioneer Thomas Cook

Melbourne Castle (the site of) was originally a royal manor house, the castle was rebuilt and fortified in 1311-1322 by Robert de Holand. It was never completed and eventually demolished in the early 17th century. Castle Farm (House) is now built on the site, above left is the courtyard to the farm and the gardens above on the right would have been the site of the castle

Various cottages on Church Street, the cottage on the left can be found on the corner of the entrance to the Church and Melbourne Pool whilst the cottage on the right is on the corner of Penn Lane

The brewery of John Hair and Son on Church St, was founded in 1851 and was acquired by Offiler's in 1954. The Offiler's Directors' Minutes for 6 May 1954 state that, "We have purchased this business for the sum of £7000. The purchase includes the brewery and adjoining dwelling house, all casks, bottles, cases, brewery plant, one 5-ton Bedford lorry, fixtures, fittings etc. also the Alma Inn, Derby Road, Melbourne." The attractive buildings remain, though they have now been divided into two dwellings

The Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust restored this building in 1994, and it is Melbourne's smallest house, you can find it on Church Street almost next to the Blue Bell pub

Cottages on Castle Street, the small cottage on the left is relatively new, but note how well the developers and planners have incorporated it into the surroundings

The Castle Green area (now known as Castle Square) was the site of a medieval fair and market, granted by a Royal charter in 1230. Interestingly, the main road once passed through the green but was diverted in 1789 to afford greater privacy to Melbourne Hall and its estate. Opposite is a fine Georgian residence opposite the square

Market Place and the 1953 monument commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This is where the main shops are found, on the left the United Reformed Church can be seen on the High Street. Above on the right is the Post Office standing opposite Potter Street

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