In 1311, Robert de Holand fortified the existing royal manor house to form Melbourne Castle, though the fortification was never completed.

Jean, duc de Bourbon, the most important French prisoner taken at the Battle of Agincourt (1415), was detained at the castle for 19 years.

In the 16th century, plans were mooted to imprison Mary, Queen of Scots there, but it had deteriorated into a poor state of repair.

In 1739, Lady Elizabeth Hastings, daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon, left funds for a charity school in Melbourne in her will.

Melbourne Hall was originally the rectory for the Bishop of Carlisle, but was substantially rebuilt by Thomas and George Coke in the early 18th century.

The Market Place is the location of Melbourne's main shops, including the ornate building previously housing the Co-op.

A market cross, built in 1889, had a bus shelter added in 1953, making it a natural gathering place as the town's primary public transport stop.

[11] There is also a popular, free entry recreation ground,[12] which holds MTCC, MRFC and MUFC fixtures on a regular basis.

When Derbyshire County Council bought the track from British Rail and converted the section from Chellaston to Worthington via Melbourne into a footpath.

The town contains many Georgian buildings and in the 19th century was a centre for framework knitting and footwear manufacture, e.g. Fairystep Shoes.

[14] There is a wide range of shops and services including a Sainsbury's supermarket, ATMs, a post office, a pharmacy, a library, the Melbourne Assembly Rooms (formerly the Bill Shone Leisure Centre), a youth club and several pubs and restaurants.

[15] There is a wide variety of historic pubs and restaurants in the village, including The White Swan which has been serving customers since 1682.

[16] Regular community events are held at the Melbourne Junior School playing fields, including an annual carnival and, in 2023, a celebration of the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.