Ockbrook was an early Mercian settlement of the 6th century, (recorded in the Domesday Book as Ochebroc or Occa's Brook)

The number of historic buildings within Ockbrook have led the centre of the village to be designated a conservation area, which includes the Church of All Saints, with it's 12th century tower and the 17th century timber framed Church Farm. The Moravian Settlement makes up the second Conservation Area in the village.

Jon Hus, a Bohemian Christian reformer was burned at the stake in 1415. His followers founded their church in Moravia, Eastern Europe, in 1457. 300 years later the Moravian community was set up in Ockbrook after a local farmer was inspired by a Moravian influenced Anglican curate.

In a separate area from the original village, the principal buildings of the Settlement are built in a formalised arrangement and include two Grade II listed buildings - the Moravian Chapel and The Manse. Adjoining these is the Ockbrook Moravian School, a very old established private school for girls.

Factoids

• Ockbrook origins date back to the 6^th Century.

• The Church of All Saints tower was built in the 12^th Century.

• Timber framed Church Farm dates from the 1550's.

• The Moravian Settlement was built in the 1700's.

• There are several traces of the 'Ridge & Furrow' method of cultivation.

• Queen Victoria’s wedding stockings were made at the Cross Keys.

The Royal Oak on Green Lane is the Villages oldest pub which can trace it's roots back to the 16^th Century, the well near the frontt door (now covered up) was once the source for the ale that was brewed on the premises

The Queen's Head on Victoria Avenue, which was formally the Horse and Jockey, the named changed to honour Queens Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837, and during the second world war, this was the local Home Guards headquarters!

Two more pubs, on the left is the White Swan on Church Street, opposite the Church and on the right the Cross Keys on Green Lane

All Saint’s Church on Church Street, which became the parish church around 1600. The tower was built in the 12^th Century. The local Patrons of the Church were the Pares of neighbouring Hopwell Hall

This is Church Farm which stands behind the Church, this is a timber framed farmhouse which dates back to the 17^th Century. I took the pictures on the right back in 1992 and it appears to have deteriorated somewhat over the years as you can see with the ones on the left taken in 2006

The Village Hall, on Church Street, originally a two storey coaching house, with a Girls School room above, however in 1828 Mr Pares of Hopwell Hall paid for this new building which still survives today

Notice the large tree in the front garden above left and look at the damage to the wall this has done above right

Opposite is Ockbrook House on Church Street, which is just up from the Village Hall

Flood Street and New Street which leads to the Church. The cottage on the right was once two, you can just see the arch tops where the doors were bricked up

Two Shops on Flood Street, on the left is Ockbrook Homes & Gardens, built in 1915 which was originally a Derby Co-operative Society, and on the right a deserted shop and appropriately the shop was called " The Good Olde Days"!

Not sure what this building originally was on Flood Street, it's opposite Homes & Gardens, quite possibly it was a Farm and we are looking into the yard with barns either side, if any one knows please get in touch

The Old Forge, on Church Street, which finished trading as a Blacksmiths in 1920

When the Moravians arrived the standard of living improved dramatically in the village and more wealthy people moved to Ockbrook, giving rise to textile manufacturing and a growth in the knitting industry

These two buildings above can be found on the Ridings, the one above right has curious arches, and one almost seems to be constructed in the gothic style.

The local Village Petrol Station which still survives below left, complete with a red phone box,  all too often these outlying village petrol stations close, and below right are a  row of knitters cottages with a very ornate clock in the front garden

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