Visiting Derby, Derbyshire,East Midlands,England
Places to go and things to do in the historical city of Derby.
Feb 17, 2009
The city of Derby is located in the centre of England and has evolved into a diverse mixture of old and new, urban and rural. Not twenty minutes from the centre some of England’s prettiest countryside with historic buildings dotted in between. The gorgeous Peak District with its picturesque (and sometimes strenuous) walks attracts visitors from the UK and all over the globe. At the centre of the area’s ever expanding canal system, Derby is not only accessible by air, road and rail but by water as well.
Derby's Industry, Past and Present
Derby’s industrial heritage is well known world wide and is one of England’s oldest centres of manufacturing.
Royal Crown Derby, originally established on Nottingham Road in 1750, and, whose present factory site has been there since 1878, has been manufacturing fine bone china ever since. Most Derbyshire homes display pieces of the distinctive Crown Derby designs.
With easy access from Derby City Centre, with an on site shop and tea room it is a great idea for a visit. Factory tours are available and entrance fees are refunded if customers purchase £50.00 worth of Crown Derby products. It is very easy to spend that amount although choosing what to buy is considerably more difficult!
Rolls Royce, renown worldwide for its aero engine and car manufacturing, has been long present in the city and is still one of Derby’s main employers. Displays of the company’s past and present achievements are on display at Derby’s industrial museum, also known as The Silk Mill as well as at the Rolls Royce site on Wilmore Road.
The Silk Mill also houses many other exhibits depicting Derby’s rich industrial history including fabric production, mining, pottery and a comprehensive record of the region’s railway system. Admission is free.
Derby's Museums Welcome Children
Two more of Derby’s museums also offer free admission. One is the Pickford House museum , a beautifully preserved Georgian house depicting life as it was during those times. A slightly more modern addition is the air raid shelter built in the basement in the 1940’s. Furniture, clothes and toys of the times are displayed as well as a peek into the way life was life for the servants “below stairs”.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery which is centrally located in the city centre, has a really diverse collection of displays. From a natural history display depicting the evidence of tropical mammals that used to roam the area to a detailed display of military history, it is recommended that visitors put aside at least an hour for the visit.
All the local museums encourage children to learn about local history by providing them with activities that keep them busy while helping them acquire new knowledge.
Peregrine Falcons at Derby Cathedral
Derby Cathedral, located in what is called the "cathedral quarter" of the city is a magnificent place of worship and is open to the public between services. It boasts a magnificent gothic tower that for the past couple of years has been taken over by a family of peregrine falcons whose breeding life has been filmed on live web cam to followed by bird enthusiasts from all over the world. Derby cathedral is attracts church bell enthusiasts as it has the oldest set of ten bells in Britain.
Pubs and Restaurants in Derby
The city is at the moment working on a new bus station and a riverside project that plans to provide new hotels, shops and restaurants on the banks of the waterway.
It is easy to find things to do in the city in the evenings. There is an excellent variety of central pubs and restaurants that cater to most ethnic tastes. Clubs and theatres provide live entertainment. Historic pubs such as the Bell Inn and The Olde Dolphin with their haunted stories can add an edge to the night out.
Look again for more articles on Derby’s haunted side, its sporting history and the many places of interest surrounding this old city.
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