Derby

An industrial and manufacturing centre, Derby shows its picturesque side with many parks, and two rivers. It boasts a world-class arboretum, and a diverse collection of wildlife to give the tourist a real glimpse of the countryside within an urban environment.

The industrial past is commemorated in the Derby Industrial Museum, covering the city’s many technological achievements, and mapping the past of local firms such as Rolls Royce. Railways, mines, and the mysterious Derby Gaol Dungeon form an important part of the heritage which awaits the curious visitor.

 

The Art Gallery houses a fantastic collection of works, and the Pickford’s Museum commemorates life in Georgian times, Royal Crown Derby offers a factory tour and a museum charting the history of the world famous china, with a restaurant for relaxation afterwards. The especial attraction of Derby cathedral is the peregrine falcons which have nested in the tower in recent years, but the building is also worth a visit for its bells and some excellent brasses.

The tower dates from Henry VIII, though the rest of the cathedral is from the 1700s. Proximity to the Peak District also attracts visitors to the city, and it forms an excellent base for touring that region.

Derby Museum & Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS (01332) 641901
Housing a wide range of collections including porcelain, paintings and archaeology, Derby Museum and Gallery also contains the Joseph Wright Gallery which celebrates the paintings of the 18th Century Derby Artist.
With other galleries exhibiting Egyptian mummies, military memorabilia and a room dedicated to Bonnie Prince Charlie; the museum is an exciting exhibition of the heritage of Derby.

The Silk Mill, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF (01332) 255308
Derby’s Museum of Industry and History is located in the Silk Mill; reputed to be the world’s first ever factory.
Celebrating the city’s industrial past as well as the achievements of Rolls Royce (several of its aircraft engines are exhibited here), the museum is a popular place for exploring Derby’s past.

National Sikh Heritage & Holocaust Museum, Princes Street, Derby DE23 8NT (0845) 643 5513
Created by a number of young Sikhs to celebrate their British-Sikh heritage, the museum aims to highlight the rich and complex heritage of Sikhs across the world.

Collections include an 18th Century Sikh chainmail, an ornate cannon barrel and an extensive collection of coins.