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Historic places in Derby

7 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Derby.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Derby

  1. Buy

    Cathedral Quarter

    Those spending time in the city should also visit the quaint streets, with their specialist shops, lush green spaces and some really comfortable bars and restaurants.

  2. See

    Derby Cathedral

    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).

  3. See

    Derby Museum and Art Gallery

    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.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-4PM, Bank Holidays closedFree

  4. Do

    Elvaston Castle Country Park

    321 acres (130 hectares) 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.

  5. See

    Museum of Making

    formerly the Silk Mill, and Derby Industrial Museum

    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.

    Mon closed, Tue Wed Sat 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-7PM, Sun 10AM-4PMEntry is free. Visitors do not need to pre-book for general admission, but are advised to pre-book tickets for special exhibitions

  6. See

    Pickford's House

    Unique museum of Georgian life and historic costume. Well worth visiting.

    Mon 11AM-5PM, Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 2-5PM, holidays 2PM-5PMFree

  7. See

    Royal Crown Derby

    A factory producing fine china, part of Derby's history. Contact the factory to schedule a tour.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Derby (CC BY-SA 4.0).