All About Derby in Derbyshire
Derby is a city in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of the county, with a population of 248,700 (2013 estimate). It is the main settlement and headquarters of the Derby City Council. Derby was settled by Romans in the 1st century AD and became a market town in the 12th century. Derby grew rapidly in the industrial era, and by the 20th century, it was an important industrial centre for coal mining, railways, and manufacturing. Derby is home to two universities, Derby University and the University of Derby.
Derby was settled by Romans – who established the town of Derventio – Saxons and Vikings, who made Derby one of the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw. Initially a market town, Derby grew rapidly in the industrial era. Home to Lombe’s Mill, an early British factory, Derby has a claim to be one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. It contains Derby Cathedral, the site of the burial place of Bess of Hardwick and James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby. With the arrival of the railways in the 19th century, Derby became a centre of the British rail industry.
Derby is a unitary authority area, governed by Derby City Council. The administrative centre of Derby is Derby Market Place. Derby is home to two universities: the University of Derby and Derby College. The city has three main railway stations: Derby Midland, Derby Riverside, and Peartree, as well as a coach station.
Derby is on the A38 trunk road between Burton-upon-Trent and Nottingham, close to junction 25a of the M1 motorway. It has good links with Leicester, Tamworth, Uttoxeter, and other cities in central England.
The Roman camp of ‘Derventio’ was probably at Little Chester/Chester Green, the site of the old Derby School. Later the town was one of the ‘Five Boroughs’ of the Danelaw until it was captured by Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia in July 917, as recounted in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The Viking name Djúra-bý, recorded in Old English as Deoraby and originally meaning “Village of the Deer”, relates to Derby’s status as a centre for the domestic wool trade.
Derby gained city status in 1977, and by United Nations agreement is twinned with three other cities: Cologne in Germany; Görlitz in Germany and Reggio nell’Emilia in Italy.
Derby has been home to the Midland Railway – later absorbed into the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (LMS) – since 1839. The city is also served by East Midlands Trains who provide both local services within Derby, as well as regional and inter-city services. Virgin Trains East Coast operates high-speed express trains through Derby on their route between London and Edinburgh. Derby is also home to Derby Litchurch Lane Works, a railway engineering facility that is now owned by Bombardier Transportation.
The Midland Institute opened in Derby in 1852, giving the city an important role in the training of engineers during the Industrial Revolution. Derby College dates from 1952, providing further education courses up to degree level. The University of Derby was established in 1992, making Derby one of Britain’s newer universities.
Derby has two main theatres: the Derby Playhouse, which specialises in theatre for children and young people, and the Guildhall Theatre, which stages a wide range of drama and musical productions. Derby also has a performing arts venue called Quad, which hosts cinema screenings, art exhibitions, live music and other events.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1879, housing an important collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby as well as other artists such as John Constable and Edward Hopper. The collection also includes archaeology, natural history, local history, and geology exhibits. Derby is also home to Pickford’s House, a Georgian townhouse that is now a museum of Derby’s history.
Derby Cathedral is in the city centre and dates from the 12th century. It is one of the few cathedrals in England with three spires. Derby Arboretum, which opened in 1840, is a public park located close to the city centre. Markeaton Park, to the north-east of Derby city centre, contains Derby’s main leisure centre as well as an outdoor concert area and Markeaton Craft Centre.
Derby Cathedral is one of the most notable features of the city. It was built in the 12th century and is an example of Gothic architecture. The cathedral has a number of interesting features, including a spire that is believed to be the tallest in England. Derby Arboretum is another popular attraction in the city. The arboretum is a public park that was established in 1840 and is home to a variety of plant species as well as ducks, geese, and swans. Derby Museum and Art Gallery is another popular attraction and is home to a collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby, as well as other artworks and artifacts.
The Derby Heritage Centre is located in Derby’s Silk Mill, which is the oldest factory building still standing in Britain. The Silk Mill was used for fabric production from 1721 until it closed in 1836
Derby is well-connected to the rest of the UK, with good road and rail links. The city is served by two railway stations, Derby Midland and Derby Pride Park. There are a number of bus services that operate in the city, and Derby also has its own airport.
Fun facts about Derby:
– Derby is home to the world’s oldest surviving factory building, the Derby Silk Mill.
– Derby was the first city in England to be lit by electricity.
– Derby was home to the first-ever department store, Jenners, which opened in 1834.
– The first-ever public lavatory was built in Derby in 1848.
– Derby is twinned with three other cities: Cologne in Germany; Görlitz in Germany and Reggio nell’Emlia in Italy.
– Derby is home to the Midland Railway – later absorbed into the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (LMS).
– Derby is also home to Derby Litchurch Lane Works, a railway engineering facility that is now owned by Bombardier Transportation.
– The Midland Institute opened in Derby in 1852, giving the city an important role in the training of engineers during the Industrial Revolution.
– Derby Cathedral is one of the few cathedrals in England with three spires.
– The Derby Heritage Centre is located in Derby’s Silk Mill, which is the oldest factory building still standing in Britain.
– The Silk Mill was used for fabric production from 1721 until it closed in 1836.
What to do in Derby :
– Visit Derby Cathedral.
– See the paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
– Learn about Derby’s history at Pickford’s House or the Derby Heritage Centre.
– Go for a walk or cycle in Derby Arboretum or Markeaton Park.
– Catch a show at the Derby Playhouse or Guildhall Theatre.
– Visit Quad to see art exhibitions, watch films or see live music performances.
– Shop at Jenners, the first-ever department store.
– Take a tour of Derby Silk Mill, the world’s oldest surviving factory building.
– Visit Derby Litchurch Lane Works, a railway engineering facility.
– Go to the Midland Railway – now part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS).
-See a show at the Derby Playhouse or Guildhall Theatre.
-Visit Quad to see art exhibitions, watch films or listen to live music.
-Shop at Jenners, the first-ever department store.
-Explore Derby Arboretum or Markeaton Park.
– Learn about Derby’s history at Pickford’s House or the Derby Heritage Centre.
– See the paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
– Visit Derby Cathedral.
Shopping is another popular activity in Derby, with the city centre home to a number of high street stores, as well as independent shops. Derby also has a number of markets, including the Derby Market Hall, which is located in the city centre.
Places to eat and drink in Derby:
– The Dining Room at Derby Museum and Art Gallery – Derby
– The Bluebell at Derby Arboretum – Derby
– Brunel’s Brasserie – Derby
– The Old Silk Mill Café – Derby
– The Spotty Dog – Derby
– Lockyers Quay Brasserie – Derby
– Alchemilla – Derby
– The Pump House – Derby
– The Green Man – Derby
– Ye Olde Dolphin Inne – Derby
– The Flowerpot – Derby
– The Vinyl Tap – Derby
– The Brunswick Inn – Derby
-The Stable Pizza & Cider Derby – Derby
– The Jolly Butcher – Derby
-The Victoria Inn – Derby
– The Tap House – Derby
-The Albert Tavern – Derby
-The Abbey Hotel – Derby
– The Peacock at Rowsley – Derby
– The Queen’s Head – Derby
-The Midland Hotel – Derby
– The Navigation Inn – Derby
– The George and Dragon – Derby
-The Crown & Anchor – Derby
-The Old Bell Inn – Derby
– Ye Olde White Harte – Derby
– The Red Lion Freehouse – Derby
Derby has a variety of places to eat and drink, ranging from traditional pubs to modern restaurants. There are also a number of cafes and coffee shops in the city centre. Derby is also home to a number of music venues, including the Derby Playhouse and Guildhall Theatre, as well as the Quad arts centre. The city has a vibrant nightlife, with a number of bars and clubs located in the city centre.
Derby is a great place to visit if you’re interested in history, culture, or shopping. There’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
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