Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground

• Most of the recreational areas have open access and is available to the public 365 days a year.
• The bowling green and sports pavilion are accessible during sports events, organised training, and matches.
• Tennis courts are available via an online booking scheme – fees apply.

The origins of the Welfare Ground are rooted in Alfreton’s coal mining history and linked to the Mining Industry Act of 1920, which created a fund to support workers’ wellbeing. This was raised through a levy of one penny per ton of coal, managed locally by a Miners’ Welfare Committee.

In 1922 the Committee offered to build covered swimming baths for the Council, but the proposal was rejected. They later negotiated to purchase around 20 acres of football, cricket and open land to develop tennis courts, bowling greens and other facilities, at an estimated cost of £4000, provided the Council accepted the gift of the land.

By 1925 the first caretaker and groundsman was appointed, and in 1927 David Lloyd George praised the transformation of a former refuse tip into an attractive landscape. Over the years the Welfare has hosted sporting events, the Wakes and visiting circuses, and it remains a much‑loved feature of the town and a reminder of Alfreton’s mining heritage.

(Information kindly provided by Alfreton and District Heritage Trust)

There are currently no scheduled events at this time.

To view all event applications for the borough's parks and gardens, or to apply for your own event please view our events on council land page.

Alternatively, please contact the Leisure and Parks team on 01773 841542.

The site is owned by Amber Valley Borough Council and is managed by the Leisure & Parks and Landscape Maintenance Teams.

There is an active bowls club who use the pavilion and bowls green on a regular basis. Members of the Bowls Club take a particular interest in the condition of the bowling green, pavilion and surrounding areas, reporting maintenance issues promptly.

• Basketball Area – A fantastic surface for practice shots or mini games, with two full‑size hoops and clear line markings.
• Bowls Green – A traditional flat green, home to Alfreton United’s Bowling Club, formed in 1926.
• Outdoor Fitness Area – A kinetic‑energy fitness zone with six pieces of equipment, designed to offer a sociable and safe space for women and girls to stay active.
• Play Area – A large central play area for children up to 12, with a wide range of fixed equipment for inclusive play, learning and fun.
• Trim Trail – An agility trail to test balance or race friends in time trials.
• Playing Fields – Open grassed areas for informal sport, ball games and community events.
• Wheeled Sports Park – One of the largest wheeled sports facilities in Amber Valley, featuring a large skatelite plaza for BMX, skateboards, inline skates and scooters.
• Sports Pavilion – A traditional pavilion with a kitchenette, bowls storage, toilets (including disabled facilities) and two changing rooms, available for organised events and club use.
• Memorial Tree Avenue – Established in 2023 with Himalayan Birch trees for Holocaust remembrance. Additional trees are planted annually to create a double avenue, marked by an interpretation board.
• Seating – Benches and resting spots overlooking the site, perfect for relaxing and watching the world go by.

In 2025 a decorative bench was installed to remember those who sadly lost their lives during the Covid 19 pandemic. Daffodil bulbs have also been planted around the bench making the area a peaceful place of reflection.

Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground, Grange Street, Alfreton, DE55 7JA

The site is easily accessible from all areas of Alfreton, being approximately an eight-minute walk from the town centre. It has one main entrance off Grange Street, along with three secondary entrances from Bentley Close, Brook Avenue, and West End Close, all of which provide pedestrian links to the surrounding residential areas.

What3words - https://w3w.co/fields.part.sits

The borough council are always keen to promote positive use of the site, please use the litter/dog waste bins provided, respect others and the follow facility specific signs and please remember, the enclosed play area is covered by a public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)  with No dogs allowed, except dogs used for assistance.