Allenton, Derbyshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.88429610523597
longitude= -1.4463673350001824
official_name= Allenton
map_type= Derbyshire
population = 13,744 (2001 Census) as part of the ward of Boulton
shire_district= Derby
shire_county = Derbyshire
region= East Midlands

constituency_westminster= Mid Derbyshire
post_town= DERBY
postcode_district = DE24
postcode_area= DE
dial_code= 01332
os_grid_reference= SK372320

Allenton is a suburb of the city of Derby, England, situated about three miles south of the city centre. It is located between the suburbs of Osmaston, Boulton, Alvaston and Shelton Lock.

History

Allenton (formerly Allentown) was named after Isaac Allen who built the first houses there in 1878. The whole area was once a swamp and the skeletons of a hippopotamus, elephant, brown bear, hyena and bison have been found there. The hippopotamus was found underneath the "Crown Hotel" (established in 1891) and is displayed at Derby Museum.

Landmarks

Allenton is as well known by its main landmark, the Spider Bridge. This footbridge over a roundabout is so named because it has eight 'legs' in four directions. Each direction has a set of steep steps and a stepped ramp (for easier disabled access). The Spider Bridge was erected in July 1971 and has been painted various different colours over the years.

Allenton boasts a cosmopolitan outdoor market, although this has been in decline in recent years. The shopping centre in Allenton is among the largest of any of the city's suburbs although there are few high street chains except for Boots, Somerfield and Greggs.

Culture

Allenton has several fast food outlets within the shopping area and at each end of the shops is a public house: "The Mitre" and "The Crown Inn" (see "Crown Hotel" above). The "Taste House Chinese" takeaway at Poole Street is especially recommended with several Premiership footballers spotted buying food from the shop. There are schools, dentists and doctors, beauty salons, hairdressers and a flower shop. The local fire station is just a few hundred yards from the shops offering an excellent level of response. The old Derby Canal has long since been transformed into a bicycle track with tarmacadam surface. This track offers safe access by bicycle from Allenton into Derby city centre – it is part of the National Cycle Network. Allenton has a large number of employees in the aero-engine industry as Rolls-Royce plc has its jet engine production facility adjacent to Allenton.

External links

* [http://www.derbyphotos.co.uk/areas_a_h/allenton.htm Pictures of Allenton]