Queen Victoria at Nightingale Quarter

The statue of Queen Victoria at Nightingale Quarter

Nightingale Quarter is a development rich in history in the heart of Derby city centre

The William Strutt Infirmary was the original hospital on London Road which was replaced with the DRI in 1892. Due to a disease outbreak, the Infirmary was shut down and redesigned with help from Florence Nightingale, alongside William Strutt. A statue of Florence Nightingale can be found just outside of the development on the London Road.

The Derbyshire Royal Infirmary was then opened by Queen Victoria in 1894. The grade II listed bronze statue was unveiled by her son, King Edward Vii, in 1906 at ‘The Spot’. This was located at the junction of London Road, St Peter’s Street and Osmaston Road. Pictured below.

She remained in this spot for 22 years until Derby’s modernisation program was underway and an underground toilet block was built. The statue was deemed to be too heavy to remain there and so the borough council moved it into the grounds of the DRI in 1928.

Statue of Queen Victoria on The Spot looking down St Peter’s Street, unveiled in 1906 Image from Derby Telegraph.

The standing figure is one of at least eight versions of Charles Bell Birch’s statue originally created to commemorate the Golden Jubilee in Udaipur, India. 

Statue of Queen Victoria on The Spot looking down St Peter’s Street, unveiled in 1906 Image from Derby Telegraph.

Nightingale Quarter is now one of the largest city centre regeneration developments in the UK. Covering more than 18.5 acres, the site offers more than 800 properties in a mix of houses and apartments.

The iconic grade listed Victorian “Pepper Pot” buildings are also being fully restored. Pepper Pot North will become the hub of the community with a cafe and eatery at its heart. Pepper Pot South, currently being utilised as our marketing centre, will be transformed into a community gym.

For information on the remaining apartments, please visit www.qderby.co.uk and contact us here.

Stay up to date on our socials