Norbury and Roston is a civil parish in West Derbyshire, England incorporating the villages of Norbury and Roston. The two villages are very scattered. The parish is located 3 miles south-west of Ashbourne and 3 miles north of Rocester, on the B5033 road and is near the River Dove (which forms the border with Staffordshire).
Like many places in Derbyshire, Norbury and Roston was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, amongst the many manors given to Henry de Ferrers by William the Conqueror. Norbury and Roston had 17 villagers and 7 smallholders, a priest and a church, a mill, meadow and woodland pasture. The 2011 census counted 117 dwellings and 317 residents.
Today, Norbury and Roston is essentially a rural community of farmers and locally-based small businesses, but the villages are attracting more commuters.
The village includes the 13th-15th Century church of St Mary and St Barlok, Mary Clowes Village Hall and Norbury C of E Primary school. The school was built in 1894 and is still open, with some extensions added in recent times. The railway came to Norbury in 1852, but closed to passengers in 1954. The parish is also the location of a significant heronry.
The village has links with George Eliot’s family, the Evans’. George Eliot’s father, Robert Evans, was born in Roston Common and sang in the choir at Norbury church, and most of George Eliot’s paternal ancestors are buried there.
The village has a thriving community with many activities. Please take a look at the various pages of this website to find out more about upcoming events.
