Markeaton Park in Derby

Other major parks in the city include Allestree Park, Darley Park, Chaddesden Park, Alvaston Park, Normanton Park and Osmaston Park. Derby Gaol is a visitor attraction based in the dungeons of the Derbyshire County Gaol which dates back to 1756.

Derby LIVE, the cultural arm of Derby City Council host varied events at the Derby Theatre, the new derby arena and the Guildhall Theatre. Derby Fest is a spectacular weekend street arts festival held every September. The Robert Ludlam Theatre is a 270 seat venue with a programme of entertainment including dance, drama, art, music, theatre in the round, comedy, films, family entertainment, rock and pop events, workshops and provides a home for many of Derbyshire's amateur production groups. Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company has received critical acclaim for its often innovative productions.

For more detailed information on attractions in Derby from parks to museums see Derby Attractions

Dates for the 2021 Calendar and events to look forward to.

Many attractions and visitor sites throughout Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park have been closed to the public during these past few months to help limit the spread of Coronavirus. These are now slowly reopening with restrictions and are looking forward to welcoming visitors back in a way that is safe for staff, community and visitors alike. Some are still closed and events have been cancelled. Please check out attractions or events before your visit.

Farmers Markets are held every third Thursday in each month throughout the year on the Market Place in Derby.

For various other events throughout Derby , Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park see the Events Calendar

See Derby Entertainment for more of what is goling on in Derby including latest offerings from the Robert Ludlam Theatre in Derby.

See ArtsDerbyshire for Arts events and information in Derbyshire

For events at Derby Theatre, the Assembly Rooms and the Guildhall Theatre see www.derbylive.co.uk

Derby Communities

Allestree

Allestree is a large, pleasant residential suburb, 2 miles north of the city centre, still surrounded by parkland. Much of its growth has taken place just in the last 40 years. It has self contained shopping centres, pubs, schools, churches as well as the much used Allestree Park with its golf course and fishing lakes.

Darley Abbey

Darley Abbey village in Derbyshire, is haven of peace and tranquility, a short distance from the busy A6 just north of Derby. It is a village of delightfully restored mill cottages, built in rows or around squares. Darley park, which borders the village, was landscaped by William Evans and has attractive flower beds, shrubberies and lawns running down to a stretch of the river Derwent, which is used for boating and has an annual regatta


Darley Park in Derby

Littleover

Littleover represents a local community atmosphere, with a friendly and polite array of cultures, old and young. Many recreational activities are also available with various tennis, cricket and football pitches located in various areas for you to use, such as St George's Playing Fields.

Mickleover

Mickleover, the same as Littleover, is a great sprawl of suburban houses. The part known as Mickleover village is the shopping area on Uttoxeter Road, about 2 miles out of Derby. It is dominated by the Tesco supermarket these days, but the Old Market Place still remains and The Green, The Hollow and Orchard St still give the area around The Square, lots of character.

Oakwood

Oakwood was largely throughout the 1980's and 90's but some building still continues and there is a great desire by builders to extend further into green belt land that surrounds part of the estate. Oakwood has a mixture of houses, mostly with small gardens. Several small pockets of shops have appeared as well as two new pubs. The Springwood Leisure Centre, right in the heart of the Oakwood estate, offers access to all including disabled people. It's facilities include a sports hall, dance studio, squash courts and a fitness studio. Chaddesden Wood situated off Springwood Drive, is special because it is the only ancient oak woodland in the city of Derby.

Derby University

Derby university is home to 21,000 students in all areas of study and provides nearly 300 study programmes at undergraduate level, post graduate level and short courses. The main site is on Kedleston Road opposite Markeaton Park but the university also has a campus in Buxton in north Derbyshire and Arts, Design and Technology centre on Markeaton Street in Derby. Courses are also run at the Britannia Mill site in Derby and the Chesterfield Centre for Health Education.

Shops and Shopping in Derby

Derby City Centre is quite compact with much of the central area a pedestrianised zone making shopping quite easy. There are a good range of High street stores lining the Victorian buildings of the Cornmarket and Victoria Street. Sadler Gate and Iron Gate are lined with 16th-century buildings and boast numerous gift shops, clothes shops, pubs and restaurants. The area is known as Derby's Cathedral Quarter.

Open every day, Intu Derby is an all-weather shopping mall which houses over 100 shops and a food court capable of seating 800 people. There is also a large car park. Stores include Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Topshop, Oasis.

Coming soon is American inspired Hollywood Bowl. The 18 lane bowling centre will be perfect for hanging out with friends and family as well as for children’s parties and even nights out. Also, Paradise Island Adventure Golf which will have two 18 hole adventure golf courses. More information at Intu Derby

British Celanese at Spondon in Derby was once one of Derby's biggest employers. It has closed and is now due for demolition. At its height, the Spondon plant employed some 20,000 people. Amongst many other items it was involved in the manufacture of filter tow for use in cigarette filters. In 1958 Courtaulds took over and then in 1998 Dutch giant Akzo Nobel acquired a controlling interest and the company becomes known as Acordis. In 2007 Celanese acquires the company and the name changed again, to Celanese Acetate Ltd. .