Derby has been described by the Financial Times as the city of festivals and we know why!
With its vibrant and cosmopolitan city image, it also has a fantastic heritage and a very cutting edge culture, with top national attractions, a fantastic lively nightlife with even the chance to take a spooky ghost tour around the city. It also has an amazing amount of shops and for the active people amongst you, there are two of the best natural wonders on the doorstep, the National Forest and the Peak District, which are both within a 45 minute drive of the city centre.
Derby has also been called the’ real ale capital of Britain’ and one of the most haunted cities in the UK, home to the industrial revolution. Derby history is very rich and varied with lots of links back to Bonnie Prince Charlie which you may not have known. From inspiring Indian and other European restaurants and some really fantastic cosmopolitan bars, as well as the traditional pubs, there is a wide range of cuisine is to suit every palate and also to suit every wallet. God food in Derby is never hard to discover.
The quickly developing thriving restaurant quarter, the very bustling Georgian Friar Gate sees visitors flock in from miles around. Iron gate and the Cathedral Quarter are where the lively cosmopolitan cafes can be found. As the beer capital in the world, Derby’s pub scene is one of the best in the UK, with an abundance of great pubs serving local beer.
Described by the Independent ‘at the crossroads of history’, Derby is certainly rich in history and culture and there are several free museums, stunning arts and media centre and some breathtaking attractions in the city centre. It is the UK’s most central city and a great base to explore top national attractions within 45 minutes such as Alton Towers and Chatsworth House.
For sports enthusiasts, the golf course is set in the heart of Derbyshire and there is the national BMX track as well as one of the top horse racing venues in the country, Uttoxeter Racecourse. It’s a place to go for a treat for the kids on a fun filled weekend and with construction on Derby’s £22 million sports arena built as the city’s most exciting leisure development in 40 years, more fun is on the way for those who love sport.
Derby Cathedral is the second tallest cathedral tower in England’s and if you can make it up the 189 steps as a challenge, the spectacular views at the top and the stories about the Cathedral whilst undertaking a tour will certainly add a new dimension to any day out.
Why not be brave and go for one of the ghost walks in Derby? It is officially one of the most haunted cities in the UK and with over 315 sightings of ghosts in the city centre, it is no wonder that Derby is only known as ‘the dead centre of England’.