Derby

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.

By plane

The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport (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

has good rail links. East Midlands Trains 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

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.

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. Though be warned, 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.
Derby walking directions can be planned on-line with the walkit.com walking route planner.

• Derby Market Hall

  phone: +44 1332 255653
  address: The Market Place, DE1 2FS
  This Grade-II listed building is the work of Melbourne engineer Rowland Mason Ordish, and was completed in 1866. The magnificent ironwork roof is not to be missed. There is also a fantastic range of stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to mobile phones and Japanese comic books. The hall is undergoing renovation, but remains fully accessible.

• Derby ArboretumEngland's first public park, deeded to the town of Derby in 1840.

• Royal Crown Derby

  phone: +44 1332 712800
  address: 194 Osmaston Road
  A factory producing fine china, part of Derby's history. Contact the factory to schedule a tour.

• Museum of Making

  phone: +44 1332 255308
  address: Silk Mill Lane
  The museum is due to open in summer 2020.

• Derby Museum and Art Gallery

  phone: +44 1332 716659
  address: The Strand
  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.

• Pickford's House

  phone: +44 1332 255363
  address: 41 Friargate
  Unique museum of Georgian life and historic costume. Well worth visiting.

• Derby Cathedral

  phone: +44 1332 341201
  address: Cathedral Centre: 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
  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

  address: Bridge Gate
  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

  phone: +44 800 027 7928
  address: 50-51 Friar Gate

• Elvaston Castle Country Park

  address: Borrowash Road, Elvaston
  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.

• Kedleston Hall

  phone: +44 1332 842191
  address: near Quarndon, DE22 5JH
  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.

• Banks Mill

  phone: +44 1332 597866
  address: 71 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB
  An innovation space for creative and digital industries, with a rolling programme of exhibitions and open studio events featuring residents and members.

• Go on a ghost walk in the UK's second 'most haunted' town. For example: Derby ghost walks, Friargate and Cathedral Quarter.

• Darley Park walkTake a walk up the Derwent to Darley Park

• Watch football ie soccer at

  Derby County FC

  phone: +44 1332 667532
  address: Pride Park, Royal Way DE24 8XL
  They play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Pride Park Stadium, capacity 33,000, is off A6 at the southeast edge of town.

• Derbyshire County Cricket Club

  address: Grandstand Road
  Watch a game of cricket

• Derby Live - Guildhall Theatre and other city centre venues

  phone: +44 1332 255800
  address: Market Place
  Music, touring theatre and other live performances

• QUAD

  phone: +44 1332 290606
  address: Market Place
  2-screen cinema, gallery, café bar, workshop, BFI Mediatheque.

• Derby Theatre

  phone: +44 1332 593939
  address: 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter
  In-house and touring productions

• Déda

  phone: +44 1332 370911
  address: Chapel Street
  Dance performances and classes, also events by other organisations

• Markeaton ParkPublic park with children's playground and paddling pool, crazy golf and craft village.

• The Roundhouse

  address: Roundhouse Road, Pride Park
  The oldest railway turning shed in the world is now a location for public and private events. Tours of the building are also available at prearranged times.

Events

• • • • • • • • • 
                  

• Royal School for the Deaf

  address: Ashbourne Road
  British Sign Language.

• University of Derby

  phone: +44 1332 590500
  address: Main campus: Kedleston Road

• intu Derby

  phone: +44 1332 366383
  address: West Ave, DE1 2PL
  Derby's main shopping centre is the £340m intu Derby, which opened as 'Westfield Derby' in October 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, intu Derby has a spacious food court which offers a wide diversity of international cuisine as well as the usual fast food outlets.

• Cathedral QuarterThose 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

  address: Wyvern Way, Chaddesden
  On the outskirts of the town, includes Sainsbury's, Boots, Mothercare, Toys R Us, Homecare, Clark's and a number of fast food chains.

• Meteor Centre

  address: Mansfield Road
  Retail park includes Morrisons supermarket, PC World and Staples.

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

  address: 47 Sadlergate
  Breakfast and lunch menus.

• The Royal Oak

  phone: +44 1332 662378
  address: 55 Green Lane, Ockbrook
  Real ale pub that serves real English food. Need to book a table to get a proper Sunday roast dinner.

Indian

• Anoki

  phone: +44 1332 292888
  address: 129 London Road
  Voted one of the UK's Top 10 Indian restaurants by The Times.

• Basmati

  phone: +44 1332 523700
  address: 5-6 Hollybrook Way
  Indian restauarant in Heatherton Village.

• Shalimar Gold

  phone: +44 1332 366745
  address: 15 Midland Road

• The Mogul Restaurant

  phone: +44 1332 203343
  address: 41-43 Green Lane

Chinese

• The Excelsior

  phone: +44 1332 364907
  address: 6-8 Becket Street

• Zing Vaa

  phone: +44 1332 294524
  address: 524-528 Burton Road, Littleover

• The New Water Margin

  phone: +44 1332 290482
  address: 72-74 Burton Road

• May Sum

  phone: +44 1332 209888
  address: 9 Babington Lane

Italian

• Antibo

  address: 21 Midland Road

• The European

  phone: +44 1332 368732
  address: 22 Iron Gate

• Dolce Salato (formerly Burley's)

  phone: +44 7428 062931
  address: 32 Queen Street
  Italian cafe with hot or cold food to eat in or take away.

Japanese

• MoonSha

  phone: +44 1332 343288
  address: 4 Friary Street

• Ebi Sushi

  phone: +44 1332 265656
  address: 59 Abbey Street

Thai

• Papaya Thai

  phone: +44 1332 405894
  address: 50 Green Lane

• Thai Dusit

  phone: +44 1332 372016
  address: 8 Bold Lane

Greek

• Stelianas & Saphos Greek Taverna

  phone: +44 1332 385200
  address: 115 London Road
  Excellent Greek food.

Mexican

• Pepitos

  phone: +44 1332 360663
  address: 127 London Road
  Mexican restaurant.

French

• Le Bistrot Pierre

  phone: +44 1332 370470
  address: 18 Friar Gate

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!

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

  phone: +44 1332 267711
  address: Queen Street
  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

  phone: +44 1332 204955
  address: 23-25 King Street
  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

  phone: +44 1332 290677
  address: 1 Railway Terrace
  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

  phone: +44 1332 207591
  address: 28-32 Iron Gate
  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

  phone: +44 1332 340169
  address: 97 King Street
  Traditional pub with real ales housed in a timber-framed building of around 1680.

• The Abbey

  phone: +44 1332 558297
  address: Darley Street
  Traditional pub in remaining building of an Augustinian Abbey

• Malt Shovel

  phone: +44 1332 674203
  address: Potter Street, Spondon
  Traditional pub interior.

Budget

• Rangemoor Park Hotel

  phone: +44 1332 347252
  address: 67-71 Macklin Street
  Macklin Street. Standard and En-suite rooms available. Rates include breakfast and parking.

Mid-range

• Cathedral Quarter Hotel

  address: 16 St Marys Gate
  This Grade II listed hotel is home to 38 luxury bedrooms with state of the art technology along with 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 not forgetting the exclusive Chef's table experience - the first of its kind in the area.

• Jurys Inn

  address: King Street

• Hallmark Hotel Derby

  phone: +44 1332 345894
  address: Midland Road
  Part of the Best Western chain of hotels. Sits opposite the Derby Mainline station.

• Holiday Inn Riverlights

  address: Morledge

• The Stuart Hotel

  phone: +44 1332 340633
  address: 119 London Road
  Best Western.

• Mickleover Court Hotel

  phone: +44 1332 521234
  address: Etwall Road
  Menzies Hotel.

• Breadsall Priory

  phone: +44 1332 832235
  address: Moor Road, Morley
  Part of the Marriott chain of hotels. 112 rooms in an over 750-year-old residence.

• Best Western The Stuart Hotel

  phone: +44 1332 340 633
  address: 119 London Road, DE1 2QR
  Single and double rooms, executive double rooms and junior suites.

Splurge

Derby is generally a very safe city centre but as with most cities in the UK, common sense with regard to personal safety should prevail when walking around the city late at night, particularly in some of the outlying areas.

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• 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.
• Buxton & 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.
• 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.
• Discover some of the small villages south of the city such as Melbourne and Shardlow. Maybe try a pint in a country pub.