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Why we love Derby

Welcome to England’s cultural heart. A gateway to the Peak District, Derby is built on industrial heritage – yet nature is never far away. It’s easy to wander off the beaten track and discover its historical country houses and rolling countryside, while the city itself is home to exciting museums and cultural spaces. Relive the past at Chatsworth House and explore its exuberant gardens, or embark on scenic hikes with rugged moorland views – there’s always an adventure to be had in Derby.  

Things to do in Derby

From a medieval stomping ground to a popular green space, discover a park with a thousand stories to tell.

Get into nature at Markeaton Park

Photo by: Visit Derby

Floral gardens at Markeaton Park
Markeaton Park

Entertainment is guaranteed here, with adventure golf, a cinema, bowling and all-out shopping.

Go shopping at Derbion

Photo by: Visit Derby/Shaun Fellows /SHINE PIX LTD

People inside a shopping centre
Derbion

Catch unmissable cycling at the velodrome and live performances in the arena.

Head to Derby Arena

Photo by: Visit Derby

Exterior shot of Derby Arena at night
Derby Arena

There are plenty of flavours to get stuck into at this monthly street food market.

Taste big flavours at Bustler Market

Photo by: Visit Derby

Aerial shot of a street food market
Bustler Market

Delve into over 300 years of innovation and creativity with exhibitions, workshops and events.

Unlock history at the Museum of Making

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple walking past street art outside a museum
The Museum of Making

Discover the gleaming Marble Hall, an abundant antiques collection, and 800 acres of pristine countryside.

Get to know Kedleston Hall

Photo by: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Location: Peak District

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Kedleston Hall

This cathedral’s treasures include Bess of Hardwick’s ornate tomb and the wrought-iron Bakewell Screen.

Marvel at Derby Cathedral

Photo by: Visit Derby

Two people standing inside a cathedral
Derby Cathedral

Escape to this urban oasis with a buzzing programme of events, open days and workshops to get stuck into.

Smell the flowers at Electric Daisy

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

Two men sat on a bench in a garden with a drink
Electric Daisy

Welcome to Derby’s little corner of Spain, bringing the tastiest tapas to the Midlands.

Tuck into tapas at Lorentes

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple dining by a river
Lorentes

Enjoy a huge collection of works from Derby’s very own 18th-century artist, Joseph Wright, at this free museum.

Visit Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

A man and a woman stand looking at paintings in a gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery

There are bags of family fun to be had – petting animals, a play park and plenty of ice cream! 

Have fun at Bluebell Dairy Farm

Photo by: Visit Derby

Woman feeding an alpaca
Bluebell Dairy Farm

Explore the family home of the Enlightenment architect Joseph Pickford, a place that was also designed by him.

Explore Pickford’s House

Photo by: Derby Museums

Pickford's House Museum
Pickford's House

A cultural hub equipped with a cinema, exhibitions, workshops, events and a cafe.

Get creative at Derby QUAD

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

A woman and a man stand looking at an exhibition
Derby QUAD

Shopping, food and drink, and lively nightlife – it's all here in this popular Derby destination.

Discover Derby’s Cathedral Quarter

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple walking through a courtyard
Derby’s Cathedral Quarter

Revisit Derby’s Roman, Saxon and industrial past on this fascinating trail.

Follow the Derby Heritage Walk

Photo by: Visit Derby

People walking down a street with a cathedral
Derby Heritage Walk

One of Britain’s grandest stately homes, the beautiful Chatsworth House sits in a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) park in the Peak District.

Visit Chatsworth House

Photo by: VisitBritain

Group of people walking down stairs under a painted ceiling
Chatsworth House

Ride heritage trams, sip beer in a traditional pub and discover pioneering inventions through the ages.

Visit Crich Tramway Village

Photo by: steven hatton / Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Peak District

An old vintage tram at the National Tramway Museum at Crich
Crich Tramway Village

Enjoy a peaceful meander through the Peak District National Park on the Monsal Trail, a flat route along a disused railway.

Discover the Monsal Trail

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women and a man walking on a country lane in autumn
Monsal Trail

Take a cable car to the popular Peak District attraction, Heights of Abraham, a 60-acre hilltop park and caverns above pretty Matlock Bath.

Take a trip to the Heights of Abraham

Photo by: life_at_fox_hollow

Autumn-natural highs
Heights of Abraham

From a medieval stomping ground to a popular green space, discover a park with a thousand stories to tell.

Get into nature at Markeaton Park

Photo by: Visit Derby

Floral gardens at Markeaton Park
Markeaton Park

Entertainment is guaranteed here, with adventure golf, a cinema, bowling and all-out shopping.

Go shopping at Derbion

Photo by: Visit Derby/Shaun Fellows /SHINE PIX LTD

People inside a shopping centre
Derbion

Catch unmissable cycling at the velodrome and live performances in the arena.

Head to Derby Arena

Photo by: Visit Derby

Exterior shot of Derby Arena at night
Derby Arena

There are plenty of flavours to get stuck into at this monthly street food market.

Taste big flavours at Bustler Market

Photo by: Visit Derby

Aerial shot of a street food market
Bustler Market

Delve into over 300 years of innovation and creativity with exhibitions, workshops and events.

Unlock history at the Museum of Making

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple walking past street art outside a museum
The Museum of Making

Discover the gleaming Marble Hall, an abundant antiques collection, and 800 acres of pristine countryside.

Get to know Kedleston Hall

Photo by: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Location: Peak District

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Kedleston Hall

This cathedral’s treasures include Bess of Hardwick’s ornate tomb and the wrought-iron Bakewell Screen.

Marvel at Derby Cathedral

Photo by: Visit Derby

Two people standing inside a cathedral
Derby Cathedral

Escape to this urban oasis with a buzzing programme of events, open days and workshops to get stuck into.

Smell the flowers at Electric Daisy

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

Two men sat on a bench in a garden with a drink
Electric Daisy

Welcome to Derby’s little corner of Spain, bringing the tastiest tapas to the Midlands.

Tuck into tapas at Lorentes

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple dining by a river
Lorentes

Enjoy a huge collection of works from Derby’s very own 18th-century artist, Joseph Wright, at this free museum.

Visit Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

A man and a woman stand looking at paintings in a gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery

There are bags of family fun to be had – petting animals, a play park and plenty of ice cream! 

Have fun at Bluebell Dairy Farm

Photo by: Visit Derby

Woman feeding an alpaca
Bluebell Dairy Farm

Explore the family home of the Enlightenment architect Joseph Pickford, a place that was also designed by him.

Explore Pickford’s House

Photo by: Derby Museums

Pickford's House Museum
Pickford's House

A cultural hub equipped with a cinema, exhibitions, workshops, events and a cafe.

Get creative at Derby QUAD

Photo by: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire/Tony Pleavin

A woman and a man stand looking at an exhibition
Derby QUAD

Shopping, food and drink, and lively nightlife – it's all here in this popular Derby destination.

Discover Derby’s Cathedral Quarter

Photo by: Visit Derby

A couple walking through a courtyard
Derby’s Cathedral Quarter

Revisit Derby’s Roman, Saxon and industrial past on this fascinating trail.

Follow the Derby Heritage Walk

Photo by: Visit Derby

People walking down a street with a cathedral
Derby Heritage Walk

One of Britain’s grandest stately homes, the beautiful Chatsworth House sits in a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) park in the Peak District.

Visit Chatsworth House

Photo by: VisitBritain

Group of people walking down stairs under a painted ceiling
Chatsworth House

Ride heritage trams, sip beer in a traditional pub and discover pioneering inventions through the ages.

Visit Crich Tramway Village

Photo by: steven hatton / Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Peak District

An old vintage tram at the National Tramway Museum at Crich
Crich Tramway Village

Enjoy a peaceful meander through the Peak District National Park on the Monsal Trail, a flat route along a disused railway.

Discover the Monsal Trail

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women and a man walking on a country lane in autumn
Monsal Trail

Take a cable car to the popular Peak District attraction, Heights of Abraham, a 60-acre hilltop park and caverns above pretty Matlock Bath.

Take a trip to the Heights of Abraham

Photo by: life_at_fox_hollow

Autumn-natural highs
Heights of Abraham

Places to stay in Derby

City centre 

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Derby, filled with museums, restaurants, shopping and bars. Opt for a value-for-money hotel or choose a self-catering apartment. 

Derbyshire 

Scattered with idyllic villages and rolling countryside, a stay in Derbyshire offers country estates, farm stays, luxury lodges and campsites. 

Peak District 

Escape into one of Britain’s National Parks for woodland lodges, serene halls and glamping. There are heaps of outdoor activities to get into too. 

Explore nearby

For hikers, cyclists, horse riders and thrill seekers, the Peak District offers adventures galore.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Location: The Peak District, England

Woman skipping on rocks at edge of hill. Landscape view

A vibrant music scene, quirky creative quarter and chock-loads of medieval history – there’s so much to see in Coventry.

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Robot sculpture outside a building with geometric décor

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

Sitting on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Sheffield is made for outdoor lovers and creatives. Find the best things to do in our guide.

Photo by: Salt St for The Outdoor City

People riding bikes on the inner city mountain bike trails at Parkwood Springs, Sheffield
Stoke-on-Trent, England

Welcome to the World Capital of Ceramics, with art at its heart.

Photo by: Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent LVEP/Tony Pleavin

A woman and a man tour a museum

Explore diverse, underrated cities and an epic national park on this five day itinerary of England's East Midlands.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Woman eating bakewell tart in front of bakery

Getting to Derby

Sitting centrally in England, Derby is easy to travel to from places such as Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and London. Trains run directly from London St Pancras to Derby, with journey times averaging two hours and 15 minutes.

Birmingham Airport is around one hour and 15 minutes by train from Derby, while Manchester Airport is around two hours and 15 minutes away. The city is also served by East Midlands Airport and you can take the Skylink bus that runs between Derby and the airport. 

Getting around

Derby’s compact size means it’s easy to navigate on foot or with the help of a range of bus services.  

By bus

ARRIVA Midland, Trentbarton and Notts and Derby all provide local bus services in the area. You can find a bus ticket that works for your visit.  

By foot

Thanks to its smaller size, Derby is great to explore on foot. Don't miss the Derby Heritage Walk for an informative tour of the city. 

By bike

Rent a Lime e-bike for an eco-friendly way to explore the city. For a flat route, follow the Derby Canal Path and the Cloud Trail from the city centre out into south Derbyshire. 

Want to know more?

Head to Visit Derby for insider tips and more recommendations on things to do in Derby.