Modern-day Belper

Town size, measured by population

The 2021 census recorded the population at a little over 21,000

 

Shopping and markets

Traditionally a market town, Belper still holds a well-attended farmers' market on the second saturday of each month in the historic marketplace (see photo at the bottom of the 'Lords Of The Manor' page on this website).

The town centre (see photos at the bottom of the 'Home', 'The Manor Of Belper' and 'Privacy policy & legal notice' webpages on this website) contains both national chains of retailers and a variety of independent shops. In 2019, Belper High Street won the UK High Street Of The Year award.

Transport links

Belper has its own railway station (see photo at the bottom of this webpage) on the Derwent Valley Line between Derby and Matlock.

The town centre is around 10 miles from the M1 motorway, via the A6 and A38

Countryside

Belper is situated in a pleasant countryside location and has stunning walks by the River Derwent, the Crich Lane Woods and the Belper Park Local Local Nature Reserve. The River Gardens (see photos at the bottom of the 'What is a manor', 'Glossary' and 'From Leche to Jodrell' webpages in this website) also provides scenic walks.

History of the town

The town was industrialised from the 18th century, with various buildings put up as factories over the next two hundred years (see the photo of East Mill at the bottom of the 'Links' webpage of this website). Belper lost many citizens to the World Wars as commemorated in the war memorials (see photo at the bottom of the 'About the website / contact' webpage of this website).