Pictures of Smalley
About Smalley
The village of Smalley straddles the Derby to Heanor Road. It is a delightful place with attractive village buildings including a church, village hall, several small shops and three village inns.
Smalley developed around the Smalley Farm Estate, bought by the Richardson family in 1610. The family prospered from the rich pickings of coal and became great benefactors of the community. They endowed the village school, an endowment which still continues despite the fact that the school is now administered by the local authority.
The late 18th century church built on the site of an earlier church has a pretty, almost detached short west tower added in 1912. Earlier additions include the transepts of 1862. The church is dedicated to St.John the Baptist, in its walls visitors can see a 7th century Saxon Cross and the churchyard has many old graves including the burial place of the Rev. Charles Kerry who gave the church its 5 bells. Interestingly, these are amongst the heaviest peal of 5 bells in England, with the tenor bell weighing over 2 tons!
Smalley Dam was built in the late 18th century by John Redford, High Sheriff of Derbyshire, who resided at nearby Smalley Hall. Following years of neglect the dam had become silted up by the 20th century. A project group was formed with the aim of restoring the area to its former beauty and in 1990 this delightful location was presented by its owner to the village. It is used as a countryside amenity enjoyed by both visitors and villagers.
Sadly, Smalley's most quintessential English building is no more - this was a picturesque Round toll house which was demolished in 1956. Following this in 1977, Stainsby Hall, home of the Sitwell family since 1785 was also demolished and replaced with a modern typically Spanish looking ranch-style building.
The village is well placed for visiting other interesting little Derbyshire hamlets and villages located off the beaten track, it is also ideal for reaching Ilkeston, Derby and Nottingham.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Smalley
| Shipley Country Park | (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| American Adventure Theme Park | (2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum | (3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| The Erewash Museum | (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| The Midland Railway Centre | (4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Derby Cathedral | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Derby Museum and Art Gallery | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Kedleston Hall | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Elvaston Castle | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| National Tramway Museum | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Wollaton Hall | (8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Bestwood Lodge Country Park | (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Newstead Abbey | (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Middleton Top Engine House | (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Carsington Water | (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
All attractions in SmalleyAll attractions in DerbyshireComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Smalley
Denby, in the county of Derbyshire (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NW)
Denby is famous for its beautiful decorative Stoneware pottery which has been exported all over the world.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ripley, in the county of Derbyshire (3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Heage, in the county of Derbyshire (4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NW)
The village lies a short distance from the beauty spot Carsington Water, between the market town's of Ripley and Belper.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ilkeston, in the county of Derbyshire (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction SE)
Within this pretty hilltop town you will find the ancient church dedicated to St.Mary, it was built around 1150 and has a beautiful clock-face tower.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Babbington, in the county of Nottinghamshire (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction E)
This pretty Nottinghamshire village is situated around 7 miles from the centre of Nottingham. It is typical of rural England, with cottages interspersed along quiet leafy lanes.
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Trowell, in the county of Nottinghamshire (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction SE)
Modern day history records that this was the village chosen as The Festival of Britain Village, at the time it was considered to epitomise the spirit of British rural community life.
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Derby, in the county of Derbyshire (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW)
This is the premier town of the Shire, it is steeped in history with roots stretching to Roman times - the legions had a camp...
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Crich, in the county of Derbyshire (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW)
A village on the edge of the Peak District National Park with a Museum dedicated solely to the golden era of the Tramcar. Also famous as being the location for filming Peak Practice.
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Mugginton, in the county of Derbyshire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)
This is a popular Derbyshire village with a church dating back to the Doomsday Book.
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Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction SE)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
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Beeston, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SE)
Beeston is mostly remarkable for being the place where the Ist Lord Trent started work in his mother's herbal shop at the age of 14.
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Papplewick, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.5 miles, 15.4 km, direction NE)
This delightful village lies close to the forest made famous by the legendry Robin Hood and his sweetheart Maid Marian.
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Nottingham, a Historic City in the county of Nottinghamshire (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction E)
The City of Nottingham is famed for fine lace, the romance of Maid Marion and Robin Hood and as the birthplace of the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth (1829-1912).
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Swarkestone, in the county of Derbyshire (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction S)
Swarkestone is a small enchanting village which grew up on the reeeded banks of the River Trent.
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Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DerbyshireComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Langley Mill Station | (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction NE) |
| Duffield Station | (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction W) |
| M1 Junction 26 | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E) |
| M1 Junction 27 | (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction NE) |
| East Midlands Airport | (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction S) |
| Sheffield City Airport | (27.4 miles, 44.1 km, direction N) |
| Smalley to London | (116.2 miles, 187.0 km, direction SE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Smalley
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Smalley center |
| Morley Hayes Hotel | (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction S) |
| Makeney Hall Hotel | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction W) |
| The Lion Hotel | (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction NW) |
| Risley Hall Hotel & Spa | (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction S) |
| Days Hotel Derby | (5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction SW) |
| Sleep Inn Derby | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S) |
| Derby East Premier Travel Inn | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S) |
| Express By Holiday Inn Derby | (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction SW) |
| SACO Derby | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW) |
| Heritage Hotel | (6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction SW) |
| All hotels in Smalley |