Derby - city in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands region of England

Derby (pronounced DAR-bee) is a city in Derbyshire, England. Purportedly the UK's most 'central' city and promoted as a base for exploring the Peak District, Derby also boasts modern shopping facilities and a number of visitor attractions in and around the surrounding area.

Understand

Derby was the site of Lombe's Mill, the first fully mechanised factory in the world, built in 1721. Railway engineering starting in 1840 in Derby, and continued with the Derby Carriage and Wagon Works. The city is now the site of the UK's only remaining locomotive manufacturer. Rolls-Royce opened a car and aircraft factory in the town in 1907; today the aero-engine manufacturer is the largest engineering employer in the area. Car maker Toyota has a manufacturing and assembly plant in Burnaston, just south of Derby. On 8 October 2021 it was announced that Derby was included in the long list of bids to host UK City of Culture 2025.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport 📍 (IATA: EMA). The Skylink Derby bus runs from the airport to Derby and is operated by Kinchbus. The Skylink service runs every 30 minutes during the daytime and hourly at other times (with a 24-hour service), and also serves Leicester.

By train

Derby Station 📍 has good rail links. East Midlands Railways operates express trains from London St Pancras, Leicester and Sheffield. It also runs local services to destinations including Nottingham, Matlock, Stoke-on-Trent and to parts of Lincolnshire. Crosscountry operates services to the North East, Scotland, the South West, the South Coast and the West Midlands. Train times are available from National Rail Enquiries (+44 8457 484950).

By bus

Derby Bus Station 📍 is served by coaches operated by National Express from around the country. The 'Comet' bus service by Trent Barton connects the city to Chesterfield while the 'Red Arrow' runs to Nottingham at very regular intervals on weekdays and weekends. The 'Transpeak' bus service by High Peak connects Derby with the Peak District and Manchester.

Get around

By bus

Most local bus services are operated by Arriva and Trent Barton. See the Derbyshire County Council public transport website for timetables and information for all buses. Public transport in the city is not particularly good value, especially compared to similar cities.

There are two park and ride services running from Meteor Centre in the north and Pride Park in the east.

On foot

Derby is a compact city making it very approachable for pedestrians.

See

• Derby Market Hall, The Market Place, DE1 2FS, 52.922572°, -1.475865°, +44 1332 255653. This Grade-II listed building is the work of Melbourne engineer Rowland Mason Ordish, and was completed in 1866. As of June 2021, it is closed for renovation. 2021-06-11
• Derby Arboretum, 52.910584°, -1.4723°. England's first public park, deeded to the town of Derby in 1840.
• Royal Crown Derby, 194 Osmaston Road, 52.912972°, -1.470131°, +44 1332 712800. A factory producing fine china, part of Derby's history. Contact the factory to schedule a tour.
• Museum of Making (formerly the Silk Mill, and Derby Industrial Museum), Silk Mill Lane, 52.9258°, -1.47583°, +44 1332 255308. Monday - closed; Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday - 10.00am – 5.00pm; Thursday & Friday - 10.00am – 7.00pm; Sunday - 10.00am – 4.00pm.. Celebrating the area’s rich history of innovation, telling Derby’s 300-year history of making to inspire new creativity on what is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory. Entry is free. Visitors do not need to pre-book for general admission, but are advised to pre-book tickets for special exhibitions. 2022-05-14
• Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, 52.922222°, -1.479444°, +44 1332 716659. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-4PM, Bank Holidays closed. Features collections of porcelain created in Derby since 1750. Other displays include archaeology, military history, geology and natural history. The art gallery has a large collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby. Free 2016-10-19
• Pickford's House, 41 Friargate, 52.924237°, -1.485929°, +44 1332 255363. M 11AM-5PM, Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM, holidays 2PM-5PM. Unique museum of Georgian life and historic costume. Well worth visiting. Free 2016-09-13
• Derby Cathedral, Cathedral Centre: 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP, 52.924817°, -1.477375°, +44 1332 341201. Though not one of the most spectacular of English cathedrals (it was a "mere" parish church until 1927), the cathedral has an impressive 16th-century tower (which is occasionally open for some spectacular views across Derby); most of the rest is early Georgian, with an east-end extension in matching style completed in 1972. Highlights include a painted wrought-iron screen by the renowned local smith Robert Bakewell (1682–1751) and memorials to Bess of Hardwick, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and Florence Nightingale. Peregrine Falcons have nested on the tower for several years and volunteers are on hand with telescopes for viewing during spring and early summer (go to http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.co.uk/ for current dates).
• St Mary's Chapel, Bridge Gate, 52.927103°, -1.475892°. 14th-century bridge chapel, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Derby and one of the few surviving bridge chapels in England. A picturesque little building next to the River Derwent, still hosting regular services but with limited opening times otherwise.
• Derby Gaol, 50-51 Friar Gate, 52.9247°, -1.487364°, +44 800 027 7928.
• Elvaston Castle Country Park, Borrowash Road, Elvaston, 52.89306°, -1.394151°. 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens surrounding a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle. Has in the last few years been lacking attention and investment. 2021-04-21
• Kedleston Hall, near Quarndon, DE22 5JH, 52.9592°, -1.537°, +44 1332 842191, kedlestonhall@nationaltrust.org.uk. The home of the Curzon family which was constructed in 1759. This neoclassical hall had particular controversy as the Curzon's forced the village of Kedleston to relocate several miles away with the exception of the All Saints' church which stayed put. 2016-10-05
• Banks Mill, 71 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB, 52.926590°, -1.486391°, +44 1332 597866, banksmill@derby.ac.uk. An innovation space for creative and digital industries, with a rolling programme of exhibitions and open studio events featuring residents and members. 2019-09-27
• Artcore Gallery, 8 Albert Street, Osnabrück Square, Derby DE1 2DS, 52.921923°, -1.475633°, +44 1332 366623, info@artcoreuk.com. Monday ‒ Friday: 09:30 ‒ 17:00; Saturday ‒ 10:00 ‒ 14:00. International centre for contemporary art and creativity. Exhibitions, studios, work spaces, shop and cafe. 2022-05-24

Do

• Go on a ghost walk in the UK's second 'most haunted' town. For example: Derby ghost walks (dead link: January 2023), Friargate (dead link: January 2023) and Cathedral Quarter.
• Darley Park walk, 52.941979°, -1.475669°. Take a walk up the Derwent to Darley Park.
• Football: Derby County FC, Pride Park, Royal Way DE24 8XL, 52.9149°, -1.4470°, +44 1332 667532. "The Rams" were relegated in 2022 and now play soccer in League One, the third tier. (They had a reasonable season on the pitch but were busted for financial irregularities.) Pride Park Stadium, capacity 33,000, is off A6 at the southeast edge of town. 2022-05-08
• Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Grandstand Road, 52.927559°, -1.459469°. Watch a game of cricket.
• Derby Live - Guildhall Theatre and other city centre venues, Market Place, 52.923807°, -1.476107°, +44 1332 255800. Music, touring theatre and other live performances
• QUAD, Market Place, 52.923163°, -1.475470°, +44 1332 290606. 2-screen cinema, gallery, café bar, workshop, BFI Mediatheque. Co-organiser of FORMAT, the UK’s leading festival of international photography: https://formatfestival.com/ 2022-07-17
• Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, 52.9202°, -1.4715°, +44 1332 593939. In-house and touring productions.
• Déda, Chapel Street, 52.925702°, -1.479961°, +44 1332 370911. Dance performances and classes, also events by other organisations.
• Markeaton Park, 52.930365°, -1.504337°. Public park with children's playground and paddling pool, crazy golf and craft village.

Events

• FORMAT. Year: 2023. Month: March. The UK’s leading festival of international photography, established in 2004. Various venues across the city.
• Derby Book Festival. Year: 2023. Month: May. Celebrating the joy of books and reading for all ages and interests. Various venues across the city.
• Furthest From The Sea Festival, Cathedral Green. Year: 2023. Month: June. Music, comedy, arts, workshops
• The Darley Park Concert. Year: 2023. Month: August. One of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts, in the natural amphitheatre of Darley Park. Part of the Hannells Darley Park Weekender
• Derby Cathedral Summer Organ Recitals, Derby Cathedral. Year: 2023. Month: August. Every Wednesday. Recitals by locally-, nationally- and internationally-renowned organists.
• Derby Festé. Year: 2023. Month: September. Spectacular weekend of street arts events around the city centre.
• Derby Folk Festival. Year: 2023. Month: September. Music and dance, in various city-centre locations.
• Assemble: Derby's Making Festival, Museum of Making. Year: 2023. Month: October. A family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, at the Museum of Making. Meet the makers and discover what you can make!
• Derby Book Festival - Autumn edition. Year: 2023. Month: November. undefined
• Derby Film Festival, QUAD, Derby Market Place. Year: 2023. Month: November. Based at QUAD, Market Place
• Banks Mill Open Studios. Year: 2023. Month: November. Meet over 50 artists, designers, makers and creative services providers.
• Derby Season of Light, Various venues in Derby and Derbyshire. Year: 2023. Month: September. A celebration of Derby's dazzling diversity and creativity.

Learn

• Derby College, +44 300 123 7890. 2021-08-18
• Royal School for the Deaf, Ashbourne Road, 52.928762°, -1.500989°. British Sign Language.
• University of Derby, Main campus: Kedleston Road, 52.938527°, -1.496681°, +44 1332 590500.

Buy

• Derbion (formerly intu Derby), West Ave, DE1 2PL, 52.919°, -1.473°, +44 1332 366383. M-W 9AM-6PM, Th F 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. Derby's main shopping centre is the £340m Derbion, which opened as 'Westfield Derby' in 2007 and offers a wide range of shops selling merchandise at competitive prices . As well as a state-of-the-art, 12-screen Cinema De Lux, Derbion has a spacious food court which offers a wide diversity of international cuisine as well as the usual fast food outlets.
• Cathedral Quarter, 52.923445°, -1.477352°. Those spending time in the city should also visit the quaint streets and old market hall. Specialist shops, lush green spaces and some really comfortable bars and restaurants make the Cathedral Quarter an ideal place to relax and enjoy a good meal.
• Wyvern Retail Park, Wyvern Way, Chaddesden, 52.917494°, -1.435542°. On the outskirts of the town, includes Sainsbury's, Boots, Homecare, Clark's and a number of fast food chains. 2016-09-13
• Meteor Centre, Mansfield Road, 52.942018°, -1.463211°. Retail park includes Morrisons supermarket and PC World. 2016-08-15

Eat

Derby is an excellent place to get an Indian curry. Obviously plenty of great fish & chips shops, but don't miss the steak-and-kidney pie and mushy peas. Another local staple is a cob -; no, not the horse but a filled bread roll.

English

• The Kitchen, 47 Sadlergate, 52.923211°, -1.479558°. Breakfast and lunch menus.
• The Royal Oak, 55 Green Lane, Ockbrook (7 km, Bus 9 every 2 hours not evenings or Sundays), 52.923477°, -1.372514°, +44 1332 662378. Real ale pub that serves real English food. Need to book a table to get a proper Sunday roast dinner. Indian
• Anoki, 129 London Road, 52.915514°, -1.4677°, +44 1332 292888. Voted one of the UK's Top 10 Indian restaurants by The Times.
• Shalimar Gold, 15 Midland Road, 52.915389°, -1.465912°, +44 1332 366745, info@shalimargold.co.uk. 2017-01-10
• The Mogul Restaurant, 41-43 Green Lane, 52.920741°, -1.477769°, +44 1332 203343.

Chinese

• The Excelsior, 6-8 Becket Street, 52.92099°, -1.481272°, +44 1332 364907.
• Zing Vaa, 524-528 Burton Road, Littleover, 52.907106°, -1.502966°, +44 1332 294524.
• The New Water Margin, 72-74 Burton Road, 52.91653°, -1.47998°, +44 1332 290482.

Italian

• Antibo, 21 Midland Road, 52.915691°, -1.464967°.
• The European, 22 Iron Gate, 52.924334°, -1.478237°, +44 1332 368732.
• Dolce Salato (formerly Burley's), 32 Queen Street, 52.925819°, -1.478592°, +44 7428 062931. Italian cafe with hot or cold food to eat in or take away. Japanese
• MoonSha, 4 Friary Street, 52.922045°, -1.483224°, +44 1332 343288.
• Ebi Sushi, 59 Abbey Street, 52.919895°, -1.482693°, +44 1332 265656.

Thai

• Thai Boran, 50 Green Lane, 52.920662°, -1.478037°, +44 1332 405894. 2020-06-05
• Thai Dusit, 8 Bold Lane, 52.923783°, -1.480333°, +44 1332 372016.

Greek

Mexican

• Pepitos, 127 London Road, 52.915574°, -1.467831°, +44 1332 360663. Mexican restaurant. 2020-06-05

French

• Le Bistrot Pierre, 18 Friar Gate, 52.923616°, -1.483633°, +44 1332 370470.

As with most major cities the usual chains such as Nando's, Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny's, Zizzi, La Tasca and Old Orleans are all to be found in the city.

Drink

Derby's nightlife is among the safest in the country, having won multiple Purple Flags. Pub crawls are often organized by the real ale campaign, or if all night raves are your thing, Derby boasts some exciting clubs open until 4AM.

The majority of bars in Derby are found on Friar Gate, Sadler Gate and Iron Gate. One of the best is Bar Lisi on Sadler Gate, which is nice and intimate.

Derby is noted for pubs serving a range of real ales and is home to about a dozen microbreweries (small breweries). A few pubs worthy of a visit within the city centre area are:

• Ye Olde Dolphin Inne, Queen Street, 52.925246°, -1.477962°, +44 1332 267711. Derby's oldest pub, with lots of character. The pub has several small rooms and an outside, partially-covered seating area which houses the pub's beer festivals at various intervals throughout the year. Food - at reasonable prices - is served throughout the day and the evening and there is also an à la carte restaurant upstairs, although not open every night. There is always a good range of well-kept beers. General knowledge quiz on Sundays, music quiz on Tuesdays. Ghost walks can also be booked here.
• The Flowerpot, 23-25 King Street, 52.92621°, -1.479582°, +44 1332 204955. This is a lively and atmospheric pub on the northern edge of the city centre that serves a wide range of real ales, including some of its own microbrewery ales.
• The Brunswick, 1 Railway Terrace, 52.918332°, -1.464181°, +44 1332 290677. The original microbrewery pub in Derby, near the train station in a characterful old railway building. The choice of beer on tap here has to be seen to be believed; a place not to be missed!
• The Standing Order, 28-32 Iron Gate, 52.923966°, -1.477608°, +44 1332 207591. Located on Irongate in a former bank, this pub has a truly impressive interior as well as a good selection of real ale. The Standing Order is a Wetherspoons pub.
• The Seven Stars, 97 King Street, 52.927526°, -1.481075°, +44 1332 340169. Traditional pub with real ales housed in a timber-framed building of around 1680.
• The Abbey, Darley Street (2.5 km, pleasant walk along the river), 52.941898°, -1.476847°, +44 1332 558297. Traditional pub in remaining building of an Augustinian Abbey.
• Malt Shovel, Potter Street, Spondon (5km, frequent buses), 52.919836°, -1.407561°, +44 1332 674203. Traditional pub interior.
• The Cow, The Green, Dalbury Lees DE6 5BE, 52.932°, -1.608°, +44 1332 824297. Daily noon-11PM. Excellent country pub with food, dog-friendly. Also has 12 rooms, B&B double £130. 2020-07-13

Sleep

Budget

• Rangemoor Park Hotel, 67-71 Macklin Street, 52.920689°, -1.480742°, +44 1332 347252. Macklin Street. Standard and en-suite rooms available. Rates include breakfast and parking.

Mid-range

• Cathedral Quarter Hotel, 16 St Marys Gate, 52.924428°, -1.479831°, +44 1332 546080. This Grade II listed hotel is home to 38 luxury bedrooms with state-of-the-art technology, a mini spa and treatment rooms, conference rooms, residents' bar, private dining leading from the 80-cover fine dining restaurant in the grandeur of a ballroom, and the exclusive Chef's table experience - the first of its kind in the area.
• Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn), King Street, 52.926911°, -1.477552°, +44 1332 621000, Derby@leonardohotels.com. 2022-12-18
• Hallmark Hotel Derby (Midland Hotel), Midland Road, 52.915715°, -1.464273°, +44 1332 345894. Part of the Best Western chain of hotels. Sits opposite the Derby Mainline station.
• Holiday Inn Riverlights, Morledge, 52.921867°, -1.473028°, +44 8714 234917.
• The Stuart Hotel, 119 London Road, 52.916122°, -1.468382°, +44 1332 340633. Best Western.
• Mickleover Court Hotel, Etwall Road, 52.901551°, -1.55071°, +44 1332 521234. Menzies Hotel.
• Breadsall Priory, Moor Road, Morley, 52.968996°, -1.433805°, +44 1332 832235. Part of the Marriott chain of hotels. 112 rooms in an over 750-year-old residence.
• Best Western The Stuart Hotel, 119 London Road, DE1 2QR, +44 1332 340 633, thestuart01@gmail.com. Single and double rooms, executive double rooms and junior suites. 2019-05-09
• Coach House, 185A Duffield Rd, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1JB, 52.940°, -1.485°, +44 1332 554423. Comfy welcoming B&B in former mill village. B&B double £70 2020-08-16

Splurge

• The Cow at Dalbury, The Green, Dalbury DE6 5BE, 52.932°, -1.608°, +44 1332 824297. Gastropub with rooms on the village green. B&B double £140 2021-05-30

Connect

As of June 2022, Derby has 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from EE, O2 and Three.

Go next

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• Ashbourne - market town in attractive location near Dovedale and the Tissington Trail
• Buxton and The Peak District - one of the major national parks in the UK, a beautiful area for hillwalking, mountain biking, camping, climbing etc.
• Carsington Water for a number of water-based leisure activities, between Wirksworth and Ashbourne
• Cromford, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
• Matlock Bath - around 45 minutes north up the A6 or Derwent Valley rail line, this spa town resembles a seaside town without the sea, due to the number of fish & chip shops and amusement arcades. Nightly illuminations each autumn. Very popular with motorcyclists.
• Nottingham - home of the legend of Robin Hood, nowadays a popular destination for 'city breaks' thanks to its shopping and entertainment attractions.
• Sheffield - large city world-renowned for its steel industry and to another extent its cultural achievements, particularly in the area of popular music.
• Wirksworth - historic market town
• Discover some of the small villages south of the city such as Melbourne and Shardlow. Maybe try a pint in a country pub.