The district consisted of two detached parts, to the north and south of Nottingham.

It was created under the Local Government Act 1894 based on the existing Basford rural sanitary district.

Bilborough, Wollaton and parts of both Bestwood Park and Colwick were transferred to the City of Nottingham in 1933.

In 1952 parts of the Clifton with Glapton and Ruddington parishes were also transferred to the City of Nottingham.

The parishes of Annesley, Felley and Selston went to Ashfield; the parishes of Awsworth, Brinsley, Cossall, Greasley, Kimberley, Nuthall, Strelley and Trowell went to Broxtowe; the parishes of Bestwood Park, Burton Joyce, Calverton, Lambley, Linby, Newstead, Papplewick, Stoke Bardolph and Woodborough went to Gedling, and the rest to Rushcliffe including the small towns of Ruddington and Radcliffe on Trent.