Local guide
Written with Jimmy Francis
SaturdayOff supporter Jimmy is a paid supporter of SaturdayOff. As well as writing this guide, he has donated money to help keep the site running. SaturdayOff has no adverts and no paywall, so supporters like Jimmy cover the costs of the alerts, the tools and the guides. Become a supporter tooJimmy is a regular at Alvaston, so the course detail, the honest bits and the photos on this page are his. Thank you, Jimmy.
The honest version
If you want a PB in Derby, this is where you go. Jimmy doesn't hedge on it: "Definitely a PB course."
It's an out and back on tarmac the whole way. Wide paths, a slight drag on the way out and a quick run home to the finish. A couple of turns around cones, but nothing that kills your rhythm.
Quick, simple and friendly. Good facilities too, which is rarer than it should be.
The route
The run starts near the community building and café. You head out through the park, turn at the lake, then leave the park along a heritage cycle route before turning just past Kiwi House. Then it's the same way back to the finish, close to where you started.
Got a target time? Get your splits for Alvaston, adjusted for this course.
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StartBy the community building
A busy first 200 metres while the field sorts itself out. Be patient. It spreads out quickly on the wide paths.
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Lake turnRound the cones
The first turning point. Jimmy says the cone turns don't slow you down much, so don't overthink them.
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OutThe cycle route
The course leaves the park along a heritage cycle path. This is the slightly uphill bit. You'll feel it, but it's gentle.
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BackFast return to the finish
Turn just past Kiwi House and retrace your steps. The way home is the quicker half, so save something for it.
Course statistics
Average finish times, course records and full results on the parkrun website.
View on parkrun →What to wear on your feet
Shoe recommendation by conditions
Road shoes. In Jimmy's words, "if you're feeling a PB attempt, carbon plates will feel speedy." This is a course that rewards them.
Still road shoes. It's all tarmac, though mud, leaves and puddles collect on the paths after rain. Watch your footing on the cone turns when it's wet.
Getting there and parking
Alvaston Park is on London Road, Derby, DE24 8UZ. Jimmy says there's plenty of parking, with spaces by the entrance, an overflow a short walk away and a third car park just off the main road.
One thing to check before you go. The official course page asks parkrunners to use the free Derby Homes car park opposite Wickes on London Road, which has around 110 spaces and is open from 8.30am to 10.30am. The main park car park is kept for other groups. From Derby Homes it's about a five minute walk.
Not driving? The Alvaston Park bus stop on London Road is the closest to the start. Derby station is about 1.8 miles away along the Derwent river path, and National Cycle Route 6 runs right through the park.
After the run
Parkrunners head to the Waterside Café for coffee afterwards. The toilets are in the community building at the start and finish, and Jimmy rates them as some of the better facilities around.
This is a park worth staying in. There's a very good playground, a skatepark at the entrance and a pond full of swans, geese and ducks. Jimmy's tip: "Bring a picnic and you can spend a day here."
Visiting Alvaston parkrun for the weekend
Derby station is just under two miles away, a short bus or taxi ride.
If you're travelling in, here's what else is worth your time nearby:
- The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill and Derby Cathedral are both in the city centre.
- Kedleston Hall, a National Trust house with big grounds, is a short drive north-west of the city.
- Collecting Derby parkruns? Markeaton is on the other side of the city.
Is it good for a PB?
Yes. Flat enough, all tarmac, wide paths and a fast finish. Jimmy rates it 2 out of 5 for difficulty, and the only real slowdown is the busy first 200 metres. Line up in the right place and it's one of the quickest courses in the East Midlands.
Buggies and dogs
Both welcome. The wide tarmac paths are great for buggies, so start at a point in the field that suits your pace. Dogs need to be on a short, handheld lead, one per runner, and you can't run with a buggy and a dog at the same time.
Worth knowing from September to March: children's football training runs in the park at the same time as parkrun, so it's busier than usual.
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Common questions
- Is Alvaston parkrun good for a PB?
- Yes. It's an out and back course on tarmac with wide paths, a slight uphill on the way out and a fast return. The first 200 metres are congested, so start near the front if you're chasing a time.
- What is the Alvaston parkrun course like?
- An out and back route through Alvaston Park and along a heritage cycle path, with turning points at the lake and just past Kiwi House. It's tarmac all the way.
- Where do I park for Alvaston parkrun?
- The official course page asks parkrunners to use the free Derby Homes car park opposite Wickes on London Road, open 8.30am to 10.30am. It's about a five minute walk to the start.
- Can I take a buggy or a dog to Alvaston parkrun?
- Yes to both, though not at the same time. Dogs must be on a short, handheld lead. The wide tarmac paths suit buggies well.
- Are there toilets at Alvaston parkrun?
- Yes, in the community building at the start and finish. The Waterside Café is where everyone goes for coffee afterwards.
Guide written with Jimmy Francis, SaturdayOff supporter and Alvaston regular. Practical details checked against parkrun.org.uk. Last updated October 2026.