The beautiful Victorian Derby park that's lovely on a winter's day

Hunkering down in the warm indoors may be lovely, however if you run the risk of cabin fever, you may be itching to get out.

Derby has some really cool places, one such place that is also a world-first is the incredible Arboretum Park.

The picturesque park - also a Grade II Listed space - is famous for being Britain’s first public park.

Commissioned by Joseph Strutt, the Arboretum Park holds the precious mantle of being the first specially designed urban park in Britain.

The Derby born Strutt was a philanthropist whose many deeds include donating Arboretum Park to the people of his city in 1840.

Building and design instructions he gave that formed the basis of the park was to fashion the space into a botanical garden filled with trees that could be used for leisure activities.

The mammoth task of designing and constructing the park fell to renowned Scottish botanist John Claudius Loudon.

He meticulously planned and planted the gardens, being joined by another trailblazer,

Edward Buckton Lamb who designed the Tudor-esque lodges.

When walking around the park, you can be wowed by magnificent trees that also have a story to tell.

As reported by Derby Parks, some of Arboretum Park’s trees are listed on the British Isles Tree Register.

Inclusion in this listing of notable trees is no mean feat as it serves as a catalogue of important trees in the country recorded by the Forestry Commission.

As you enter further into the park, you will no doubt spot the curious statue of a wild boar.

This statue is a replica of the original bronze sculpture, which dates back to ancient Rome and is currently housed in Florence, Italy.

The original Florentine Boar, known as the "Porcellino" in Italian, is a fountain sculpture created by Pietro Tacca in the early 17th century. It depicts a wild boar caught by a hound, captured in a dramatic moment frozen in bronze.

The statue has become an iconic symbol of Florence and is a popular tourist attraction.

The statue was brought to Derby in the mid-19th century and placed in the Arboretum on the day that it opened.

Its presence added a touch of classical elegance to the park, inviting visitors to admire its beauty and reflect on its historical significance.

However, that is not the boar that stands in the park today.

The modern statue nicknamed ‘Charlie’ by its local creator Alex Paxton, was unveiled to the public in November 2005.

According to Great British Life: “[The] original ‘Pig in the Park’ suffered countless indignities, divided opinion, and was ultimately destroyed. Now Charlie encapsulates the ‘Florentine Boar’ story for new generations.”

Today the park also holds events such as Luminate which is an immersive illuminated lantern walk that took place last month.

Therefore it is worth checking to see if any sessions coincide with your visit.