Alfreton

This historic town dates back to Saxon times and, despite local legends to the contrary, Alfred the Great was not immortalised in the naming of the place, nor, as legend tells us, did he live in a house on what is now King Street. Instead the town belonged to a Saxon nobleman called Alfred, and was named ‘Aelfredingtune’, which, in the Domesday Book, is recorded as ‘Elstretune’.

This attractive former coal-mining town stands on a hill close to the Nottinghamshire border, and benefited from the philanthropy of Robert Watchorn, a local pit boy made good, who emigrated to America and became Commissioner of Immigration in the early 19th century. This highly respected man never forgot his roots and gave the town a substantial amount of money. Several buildings including the Watchorn Memorial Church, a school, a manse, cottages, sports ground, pavilion and the Lincoln Library were all built by him.

Along the charming High Street can be found the George Hotel, a fine Georgian building that looks down the length of the street. Also on the High Street you can find plenty of shops, and there are a great many restaurants, pubs and other places to visit, including a number of splendid 18th-century stone-built houses that add real character to a stroll along this High Street.

Further historical points of interest in Alfreton include the Parish Church of St Martin, which contains monuments to the Morewood family and dates from the 13th century. The south arcade is 14th century, and the north arcade was rebuilt in 1868. Its impressive fine western tower dates from the 15th century, and rises from an earlier base. Also of interest is an old lock-up, known as a ‘house of confinement’ dating from 1820, which can be found at the bottom of King Street. It was built to house lawbreakers and drunkards. The close confines of the prison, with its two cells, minute windows and thick outer walls, must have been a very effective deterrent.

The market at Alfreton was granted in 1251 to Robert de Latham and Thomas de Chaworth, to be held on a Monday, together with a fair for three days at the Feast of St Margaret. There is still a bustling market and Alfreton attracts visitors from a wide radius to its busy town centre. The Alfreton Heritage Centre in Rodgers Lane is housed in an old chapel with the municipal cemetery, and contains a collection of material relating to Alfreton and its hinterland including photographs, maps, etc. Alfreton Park on the edge of the town was once part of the Palmer-Morewood estate and their home, Alfreton Hall, is now a wedding and conference venue and the surrounding land is an attractive public park.