The city of Derby is steeped in history in its own right but also makes a great base for exploring the stunning surrounding countryside such as the Derbyshire Dales and the Peak District National Park. As a result there is a wide variety of attractions to be found in and around the Derby area, both for locals and visitors alike.
Below is a list of the top ten local attractions in Derby based on a combination of popularity and proximity to the city.
1. Derby Cathedral
The tower of Derby Cathedral is an iconic image within the city that dominates its skyline. A trip to the top of the tower will provide visitors breath-taking views of the city. The history of the Cathedral dates back to the tenth century and contains a wealth of treasures including The Bakewell Screen, Bess of Hardwick's Monument, St Katharine's Chapel, Joseph Wright's tombstone and Ceri Richards Stained Glass windows.
In 2006 a family of Peregrine Falcons nested in the cathedral tower and their progress can be followed online.
2. The Silk Mill - Derby Museum of History and Industry
The Silk Mill is situated on the site of one of the world's first ever factories and makes up Part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It now houses Derby's collection of industrial memorabilia including railways and a wide range of Rolls Royce aircraft engineering. This popular attraction is a great insight into Derby's industrial past.
3. Royal Crown Derby
The Royal Crown is the oldest surviving manufacturer of English fine bone china and dates back to 1750 in its origins at Nottingham road. Now based in Osmaston, the company is privately owned and is renowned for its quality and creativity. Visitors can tour the factory while in operation as well as the museum, factory shop and coffee shop which make up the visitor centre.
4. Derby QUAD
Situated in the heart of the city centre, QUAD comprises of a gallery, cinema, cafe bar and arts workshop all contained in the iconic new building that gives it its name. QUAD is the only place outside of London to host a British Film Institute's National Archive. Visitors can enjoy the cream of international, independent and Hollywood film on its two purpose built screens.
5. Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery is home to a large variety of prominent and interesting collections including porcelain, paintings, archaeology and wildlife. The museum also displays the largest collection of paintings in the world of the local artist Joseph Wright who was an Associate of the Royal Academy. His subjects include portraits, landscapes, literary subjects and scenes from industry and scientific equipment representing a very important and exciting era of pioneering discovery.
The Archaeology Gallery is where local material from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages can be found including a sarcophagus and a number of Anglo-Saxon crosses. In the gallery there are also a couple of Eqyptian mummies.
The museum's temporary exhibitions program ensures around 20 different varied and exciting displays each year.
6. Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
The importance of the Derwent Valley is demonstrated by the fact that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Derby is one of only five cities in the UK to have this. The Valley runs from Derby and follows the River Derwent past Darley Abbey and into Matlock. The scenery running throughout is some of the most picturesque in the country.
7. Derby Ghost Walks
As you would expect from the most haunted city in the UK, Derby offers a number of different ghost walks through the city as well as overnight vigils and one off events throughout the year with Halloween being one of the busiest.
8. Chatsworth House
A little further afield in Chatsworth, Bakewell in the Derbyshire Peak District is Chatsworth House. This stunning property, home to the Dukes of Devonshire and the Cavendish family since 1549, is open to the public from March to December and contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculpture, books and other artefacts. As well as the house and it's contents, there are regular exhibitions, a farm shop and restaurant and 1000 acres of land to explore that make up the estate.
9. Pride Park Stadium
The stadium is home to Derby County FC, the city's number one football team, also known as The Rams. The stadium is a popular attraction within the city mainly amongst football fans as they can get a behind the scenes tour and a walkout onto the famous turf.
10. Heights of Abraham
Based in Matlock Bath, in the Derbyshire Peak District, is The Heights of Abraham opened as a regency style 'savage garden'. It is accessed by a cable car rising from the floor of the Derwent Valley that gives you fantastic 360 degree views along the valley as well as to the wider Peak District. Once at the top there are many things to do and explore including the network of caverns, fossil factory, a coffee shop, a gift shop and the summit bar. This remains one of the busiest attractions in the Peak District and a short stop away for those visiting Derby itself.
For more useful information about Derby and surrounding areas visit Activ Derby's online guide to the city at http://www.activderby.com.
