Melbourne - The 'Mill on the Brook'

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MELBOURNE is a Georgian market town (population 5,000) in South Derbyshire, 8 miles south of Derby and 2 miles from the River Trent.

The name derives from 'mill on the brook', and the settlement was first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as the Royal Manor of 'Mileburne', literally 'mill stream'.

A castle was erected there in 1311, but demolished in the 17th century. Some of the remains can still be seen today. The town's main building of distinction is now Melbourne Hall.

Melbourne has a very interesting history and some fine period buildings. In the 19th century it was a centre for framework knitting and boot and shoe manufacture. The town was also particularly noted for its market gardening, although only a handful of such establishments now survive in the locality.

Among the town's notable former residents are:

Travel pioneer Thomas Cook (1808-1892). He was born in Melbourne.

Robert Bakewell (1682-1752) the renowned ironsmith. He completed his first major commission at Melbourne Hall in 1706 while living in the town.

William Dexter (1818-1860). An English-Australian artist of some repute. Born in Melbourne, later emigrated to Australia.

Rowland Mason Ordish (1824-1886). Highly accomplished civil engineer responsible for a number of landmark structures around the world. He was born in Melbourne.

Melbourne retains an attractive and rather stylish air and enjoys an excellent range of shops and services. Visitors with an eye for the past are guaranteed an interesting stay.

This is a short introduction to Melbourne. If you have further information or stories of interest, why not add to it or create a new article.

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