Top 10 Things to do in Derby, United Kingdom (UK)

November 21, 2017 Christa Meece

Derby (/ˈdɑːrbi/ ( listen) DAR-bee) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, of which it was traditionally the county town. At the 2011 census, the population was 248,700. Derby gained city status in 1977.
Restaurants in Derby

1. Darley Park

Derby, England
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 180 reviews

Darley Park

Reviewed By HawkerFamily - Nottingham, United Kingdom

Seriously, it's handy from the centre - about 10-15 minutes from the Cathedral, and you can walk along the river to Darley Abbey. There's a small kids playground up that end.
They have a classical concert with fireworks once a year in the Autumn which is worth checking out as well - in past years it's either been free or very cheap.

2. Pickford's House

41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA, England +44 1332 715181
Excellent
58%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

Pickford's House

Reviewed By Rhionjones - Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

What an excellent exhibition! Happy to attend the launch yesterday of 'This is Normanton' - a brilliant celebration of local people brought together by Fifth Word Theatre and Derby Museums, and notable for having involved the local characters in designing a true celebration of the local community. Well done

3. Calke Abbey

Ticknall, Derby DE73 7LE, England +44 1332 863822
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Calke Abbey

Historic great house, which has remained largely unchanged for most of the 20th century, features unique collections, a landscaped park and walled Gardens.

Reviewed By Satisco - Spalding, United Kingdom

Visited at a very quiet time - more staff than guests!!
All staff were attentive and charming including in the excellent restaurant.
It’s quite expensive for what there is - I think it would be better value in the summer when the Gardens and grounds can be explored more comfortably.

Museum & Art Gallery The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS, England +44 1332 641901
Excellent
57%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 517 reviews

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Derby Museums is an independent trust and organisation run for, and on behalf of, the people of Derby. We provide a museums and arts service, accessible to everyone, and are responsible for the curation of all the artefacts and works of art entrusted to us, and the buildings in which these are held. Our aim as a new organisation is to bring as many of these objects into the public domain as is practically possible and exhibit them in ways that delight and inspire. We also run education and learning programmes, and hold events and Exhibitions with the purpose of sharing knowledge and inspiring creativity and making amongst the people of Derby. As well as schools and student learning, we run many events for adults and groups, as well as families. Our collections and the information we hold about them are as unique as our location and history; we are a city continually shaped and driven by creativity and innovation, located in a valley that changed the world. The services we provide are also designed to promote the city: using its rich and important past to inspire its future.

Reviewed By Thomas M - Offenbach, Germany

The Derby Museum and Art Gallery is a very decent "general purpose museum", especially for a smaller town. Its main claim to fame is the outstanding collection of paintings by the important 18th century artist Joseph Wright, but you will also find mummies, and regional archaeological and natural history exhibits at this place - the latter will of course attract mostly school children.
The second floor is reserved for temporary Exhibitions, and when I visited there was a rather attractive one on the 20th century painter Marion Adnams.
The entry is free, and photography is allowed. The attached café is only so-so, and the presentation a bit old-fashioned (and the building itself butt-ugly on the outside!). Again, mostly of note for its Joseph Wright collection.

5. Donington Collections

Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP, England +44 1332 810048
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 226 reviews

Donington Collections

The Donington Grand Prix Collection is, quite simply, the largest showcase of Grand Prix racing cars in the world and now also incorporates the Wheatcroft Military Collection in the first two halls. Four halls, with over 130 exhibits, illustrate the history of motorsport from the turn of the 20th Century, where visitors can get close to the cars driven by such famous names as Nuvolari, Mansell, Prost, Moss, Fangio and Stewart. Within the Donington Collections, the Grand Prix Collection houses the largest collection of McLaren and Williams racing cars in the world on public viewing (outside of their respective factories), and the only complete collection of Vanwalls in the world. In addition to the Grand Prix car collection, part of The Wheatcroft Collection has also gone on display at the world famous Donington Grand Prix Collection. The first hall has been transformed to hold part of the collection 'never seen before in public'. A number of World War II vehicles and motorcycles have arrived at the museum and more are expected to join these vehicles throughout the coming year. Kevin Wheatcroft, the collections founder, said "The time is right to open the doors to some of these treasures. I have been badgered for many years to show these vehicles to the public and very much look forward to adding more vehicles as each month goes by".

Reviewed By Nigel E - Northampton, United Kingdom

A lot more military stuff than I was expecting, but a great insight into F1 and British cars. Well worth the price and the visit, but wrap up warm in winter... it’s the coldest museum I’ve ever visited!!
Great cafe Nextdoor, been to a couple of times, never fails to impress even when VERY busy.

6. Derby Cathedral

18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP, England +44 1332 341201
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 473 reviews

Derby Cathedral

Reviewed By baileypam45 - Derby, United Kingdom

A most interesting insight into the Devonshire family history. Enter throuhh the beautiful Bakewell screen. Stewards are on hand to answer any questions. A light and airy building, beautifully decorated and fabulous acoustics. Would recommend a visit to one of the organ recitals. Coffee and bookshop available across the road well worth a visit.

7. Pride Park Stadium

Derby DE24 8XL, England +44 871 472 1884
Excellent
60%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 371 reviews

Pride Park Stadium

Reviewed By brianthelion - Birmingham, England

Never a bad new stadium but again the life blood appears to be being sucked out of the game. Much less noisy than previous visits, stewards vary in attitude too. Way of the world it seems, shame.

8. Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre

194 Osmaston Road, Derby DE23 8JZ, England +44 1332 712800
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre

Royal Crown Derby is one of the original companies founded in the 18th Century that is still producing fine bone China in Derbyshire, England today. The company is the most distinguished, authentic Made in England manufacturer supplying English fine bone China tableware, giftware and collectables since 1750 The present factory was established in 1878, but the business traces its origins to the original factory which was set up in Nottingham Road in about 1750. Queen Victoria granted permission to include the title "Royal" in the company name in 1890. The current site on Osmaston Road, Derby stands on a four and half acre site, employing approximately 200 staff. The Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre offers a customer experience whether visiting the 1750 Tea Room, Museum, viewing the latest exhibition arranged by our in-house Museum Curator, taking a factory tour to see our first class products being made by hand or purchasing from the onsite retail shop.

Reviewed By carolinewood2016 - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Our visit was a Birthday surprise for my Mum who collects porcelain. We both thoroughly enjoyed the factory tour. Our guide, Jay, was very knowledgeable and patiently answered our many questions. The whole process, from casting the clay to gilding and decorating, is done on site so it is a unique opportunity to see how a luxury item is made from start to finish. The museum is also worth a visit, as it has a very varied range of collections including the service for the Titanic. The exhibition was also informative; whilst this describes the process of making Royal Crown Derby very well, I would still recommend going on the factory tour. We had lunch in the café which had a good selection of sandwiches, besides soup of the day and quiche. Our food was freshly prepared and served on Royal Crown Derby (of course!). One could spend a fortune in the shop but there are some real bargains to be had in the seconds and ‘retired’ ranges. All the staff were lovely and helped to make it a very special occasion. Do not underestimate how long you can spend here especially if you like fine China!

9. Donington Park

Donington Park Race Circuit Donington Park, Derby DE74 2RP, England +44 1332 810048
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 321 reviews

Donington Park

Reviewed By MrJonty - Southampton

Came here with a good friend and his MX5 - had a whole day of track fun, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Being winter, there weren't too many other cars there - maybe 20, which was great. Onsite facilities including a bar and restaurant. Good briefing beforehand. Really fun.

10. Bluebell's Dairy

Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR, England +44 1332 673924
Excellent
50%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 319 reviews

Bluebell's Dairy

Family run Ice Cream Tea Rooms and Animal Patch. All our luxury artisan ice cream is made on the farm from our own cows milk. We have a good selection to try in our Tea Rooms. The Tea Rooms, offers a good range of delicious homemade food and cake.

Reviewed By WizzyDerbyshire - Derbyshire, England

We had been promising ourselves a visit to Bluebell’s as we only live a few minutes away and hadn’t been to the ‘new’ cafe since it was opened.
The car park was full and we parked in the overflow area. It was extremely muddy, fortunately for us we were in a land rover as where we ended up would have been very difficult. There was a large pile of gravel so this may be addressed shortly.
The cafe was welcoming. We arrived just before lunch service and found a table very easily. We both opted for a salad. I had the Waldorf, which was very pleasant, and my partner had the ploughman’s platter. Slightly disappointingly the ‘Owen’s pie’ was not available and we were offered an additional slice of ham. (Apparently an occasional problem at the beginning of the week when Delivery has been delayed)
Both plates came with bread, although mine was rather dry.
The service was friendly and efficient.
I confess that we were rather stunned when the occupants of the table next to us rummaged in their bag and started eating sandwiches they had brought with them. I appreciate that they purchased a drink but wonder about table occupancy during busy times.
By the time we left, all of the tables were occupied (just after 12)
We will visit again, but will try and avoid the lunch time rush as the vaulted ceiling amplifies the noise.

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