Visit the town of Alfreton for a range of national high street
names plus a traditional Indoor Market Hall. From clothing to
cards and cobblers the Market Hall offers a range of quality goods
stalls and personal service. The town includes lots of
surprises and independent traders, including a Stained Glass
specialist.
Robert Watchorn, Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island,
USA bequeathed funds to his home town to build the Watchorn Church
and Abraham Lincoln Library, and together with the House Of
Confinement - The Old Lock Up provides a wealth of history for the
area. Come and discover the towns folklore links to the Great
King Alfred.
Special Places not to be missed:
- Alfreton House - The oldest house in the town,
built c.1649-60, owned by the town council. It has its own cheerful
tea rooms and sits at the end of the high street.
- The House of Confinement - Dating from
the early 19th century, the Alfreton lock up has recently been
restored with an added garden at the side. This sits on King
Street.
- Alfreton Park - Only 5-minute walk from the
centre, this glorious countryside park sits on the edge of the
town. You can enjoy big open spaces as well as wooded areas where
there is an abundance of wildlife.
- Alfreton Heritage Centre The chapel,
substantially unchanged, houses an extensive collection of local
artefacts, documents, and photographs. Browse through
the photographic exhibitions, memorabilia, and
books.
- Indoor Market Hall - Alfreton's market charter
was granted in 1252 and the town is still well-served by its indoor
market hall offering variety and value. The indoor market it open
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Alfreton History
Alfreton is thought to be the site of the ancient town of
'Elstretune' as mentioned in the Domesday Book. Local legend
says that King Alfred gave the town its name and who is said
to have lived in a house on King Street.
The market at Alfreton was granted, in 1251, to Robert de Latham
and Thomas de Chaworth. Originally the market was to be held
every Monday, together with a fair for three days at the festival
of St. Margaret. This charter was renewed in 1551 when Thomas
Babington of Dethick got permission to hold the market Monday to
Friday. Today Alfreton holds an indoor market on Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
One of Alfreton's most famous residents was Robert Watchorn who
went on to become Commissioner of Immigration at the American
Museum based on Ellis Island, New York. Robert Watchorn never
forgot the place of his birth and used some of his wealth to
re-build the area of the town from which he originated.
Alfreton House The
oldest house in the town, built c.1649-60, owned by the town
council. It has its own cheerful tea rooms and sits at the end of
the high street.
The
House of Confinement Dating
from the early 19th century, the Alfreton lock up has recently been
restored with an added garden at the side. This sits on King
Street.
Alfreton Park
Only 5-minute walk from the centre, this glorious countryside park
sits on the edge of the town. You can enjoy big open spaces as well
as wooded areas where there is an abundance of wildlife.
Alfreton Heritage Centre The
chapel, substantially unchanged, houses an extensive collection of
local artefacts, documents, and photographs. Browse through
the photographic exhibitions, memorabilia, and
books.
Indoor Market Hall Alfreton's
market charter was granted in 1252 and the town is still
well-served by its indoor market hall
offering variety and value. The indoor market is open Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
