Allestree was formally a distinct rural settlement centred around St Edmund's Church, the old village centre was designated a Conservation Area by the City Council in September 1991. The designated area starts on Cornhill encompassing part of the golf course on Allestree Park. All houses on St Edmund Close, Siddals Lane, The Poplars and the area to the north of Church Walk are included, as well as St Edmund's Church and the adjacent "Red Cow" inn. The area surrounding the old village centre contains seven listed buildings, the church being the oldest, dating back to the 12th century. The church dates from the 12th century, but all that remains of the original building is the ornately carved Romanesque doorway.