Where to Go in Derby?

So you’re planning a trip to Derby, for whatever reason, but you don’t know what to do or where to go. You’ve looked into cheap hotels in Derby and now you want to know more about the city itself, and its highlights. After all, you don’t want to spend your whole time wandering around, and missing all the good stuff. So, without any further ado, I present you with our Derby guide.

First, get to Derby’s historic Green Lane. A unique blend of old and new, this street has a lot to say about Derby’s interesting past. Start at the St Peter’s end, and work your way down. Across from the church you will see a row of impressively conserved cottages that date back to the 17th century.

St Peter’s Church itself dates back until before the Norman invasion in 1066, probably founded during the reign of King Edward, the Confessor. It was recorded in the Domesday Book, a record made in 1086 of all the wealth and land in England. There are inscriptions in the building dating back to the Norman period, while large parts of the architecture derive from the medieval period and then the reign of Henry the 8th. There is also a chair, stolen by Oliver Cromwell and then recently seen at an auction and returned.

Walking further down Green Lane, you’ll find the Hippodrome, expertly designed by Alexander, from Derby, and finished in 1013. On past Diva Bar, which was also once a church, to the old Derby Central School of Art. The ornate building, built in 1878, now houses the county’s oldest cinema, Metro Cinema. The new Art School next door is now a campus of Derby University.

There are many more exciting buildings. Then, as Green Lane peters out, make your way to the Friar Gate area for Derby’s nightlife epicentre. Many of the hotels in Derby sit nearby so you can go all out and enjoy yourself. Friargate is also steeped in history, particularly Georgian architecture. For great bars, try Tonic and the Fat Cat Café.