Littleover

Littleover, Derby, England

Littleover is a large suburb of Derby, England situated between Rosehill, Normanton, Sunny Hill and Mickleover about two miles south west of Derby City Centre.

History

The history of the name of Littleover is simple. It is derived from 'Little Ufre' (Domesday book) and in Old English "Ofer" which meant a slope or little hill, whilst its neighbouring Mickleover is known to be from 'Mickle Ufre' meaning large hill. Littleover was also formerly known as Parver Over.

The village, like many settlements in England, is partially of Saxon and partially of Roman origin; the Burton Road is a Roman road linking the A38 to the City Centre. Its Roman origin is easily confirmed due to its direct route. Burton Road, the A5250, leaves the A38 as Rykneld Road and becomes Pastures Hill just past Heatherton Village. At the top of Pastures Hill it crosses a junction with Hillsway and Chain Lane, whereupon it becomes Burton Road and remains so up to its junction with Babington Lane in Derby city centre. Littleover was in the Parish of Mickleover until 1866.

Littleover village is situated around the shopping area on Burton Road. The village's public house is called the Half Moon and is noted as being one of two inns in 1577. The older part of the village around St Peter's Church was built in the 14th century. The Village has another public house, the White Swan which can be found on Shepherd Street also near the older part of Littleover. Directly opposite the White Swan is Church Street which takes its name from the aforementioned St Peter's and links up with the Hollow which is believed to be of Medieval origin. The age of the Hollow and Church Street are evidenced by the buildings that can be found there; even today the former contains the thatched roofed Littleover Cottage, (very rare in Derbyshire) whilst on Church Street can be found a detached white house, which in its time has been called the White House and would probably have been there before most of the buildings around it. The White House it is believed may date in part to the 16th Century, whereupon it probably would have stood alone with the thatched cottage and Church. In earlier times this area was the centre of activity in the village where the square was used for markets, proclamations and general celebrations on public holidays.

Landmarks

Littleover had a wonderful landmark by way of the Crest Hotel, built in around the late eighteen hundreds, the site occupied by the Crest being previously occupied by a windmill. However in 2002 the Crest burnt down in allegedly suspicious circumstances. It was too much of a coincidence, it was reported, that the hotel was destroyed at exactly the same time as a new housing development (Michael Goodall Homes) was being built in its former grounds. It is expected that Michael Goodall played a role in the arson of the hotel. Today that housing development now stands were Littleover's once well known hotel once stood.

Other landmarks are the above mentioned Hollow where Littleover Old Cottage can be found.

Culture

As well as the Half Moon and the White Swan, for the younger generation there is King George V Playing Fields. Fans of Indian food will find a well regarded Indian Restaurant (Jee Ja Jee's) in Heatherton Village at the base of Pastures Hill Opposite the Hollybrook public house.

Littleover Community School is in the top 130 Secondary schools in the country and is one of the top three in Derby, it is the best non-private school in Derby. The area is also home to Derby Moor Community Sports College, formerly known as Derby School, which is in the bottom 130 Secondary Schools in the country.

The Toyota Car factory in Burnaston can clearly be seen from Littleover. Littleover is a rural area that is being overun with housing estates while plans for building more housing increase.