'''Derby''' [http://www.visitderby.co.uk/] is in Derbyshire county, England.
Get in
Derby has good rail links. East Midlands Trains (formally Midland Mainline) operates trains from London (St Pancras station), Leicester and Sheffield. Virgin Trains operates cross-country services to the North East, Scotland, the South West, the South Coast and the West Midlands. Central Trains operates local services to destinations including Nottingham, Birmingham, Matlock, Stoke-on-Trent and to parts of Lincolnshire. Train times are available from [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail Enquiries], telephone 08457 484950 from the UK.
There are also coach services operated by National Express to Derby.
The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport. The Air-Line Shuttle bus runs from the airport to Derby and is operated by [http://www.kinchbus.co.uk/ Kinchbus].
There are 2 park and ride services running from Meteor Centre and Pride Park, see [http://www.parkandride.net/derby/derby_frameset.shtml National Park and Ride Directory]
Get around
By bus
Most local bus services are operated by [http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/ Arriva] and [http://www.trentbarton.co.uk/ Trent Barton]. See the Derbyshire County Council public transport [http://www.derbysbus.net/ website] for timetables and information for all buses.
On foot
Derby is a compact city making it very approachable for pedestrians.
[http://www.walkit.com/derby/ Derby walking directions] can be planned online with the walkit.com [http://www.walkit.com/] walking route planner.
See
Derby Market Hall. he Market Place, DE1 2FS. 1332 255653. ttp://www.mycathedralquarter.co.uk/DerbyMarket/. .00am-5.30pm. 2.92297. 1.476556. This Grade-II listed[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1374] building is the work of Melbourne engineer, Rowland Mason Ordish, and was completed in 1866. The magnificent ironwork roof is not to be missed. There are also a fantastic range of stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to mobile phones and Japanese comic books.
'''Derby Arboretum''', [http://www.derbyarboretum.co.uk/]. England's first public park, deeded to the town of Derby in 1840.
'''Royal Crown Derby''', 194 Osmaston Road, 01332 712800. A factory producing fine china, part of Derby's history. Contact the factory to schedule a tour.
'''The Silk Mill, formerly Derby Industrial Museum''', 01332 255308, [http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/Derby_Industrial_Museum.htm]. Open M 11am-5pm, Tu-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 2pm-5pm, Holidays 2pm-5pm. Free admission. Railway and industrial innovations from previous centuries are on display here. A large collection of Rolls-Royce aero-engines is displayed in the museum with displays regarding the history of the company.
'''Derby Museum and Art Gallery''', The Strand, 01332 716659, fax 01332 716670, [http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/Derby_Museum_and_Art_Gallery.htm]. Open M 11am-5pm, Tu-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 2pm-5pm, Holidays 2pm-5pm. Free admission. Features collections of porcelain created in Derby since 1750. Other displays include archaeology, military history, geology and natural history. The art gallery has a large collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby.
'''Pickfords House''', 41 Friargate, 01332 255363, [http://www.derby.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/MuseumsGalleries/PickfordsHouseMuseum.htm]. Open M 11am-5pm, Tu-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 2pm-5pm, Holidays 2pm-5pm. Free admission. House featuring recreated Georgian rooms. Well worth visiting.
'''Derby Cathedral'''[http://www.derbycathedral.org/] . Though not one of the most spectacular of English cathedrals (it was a "mere" parish church until 1927), the cathedral has an impressive 16th-century tower (which can be climbed) and the rest is early Georgian. Highlights include a painted wrought-iron screen by the renowned local smith Robert Bakewell (1682–1751) and memorials to Beth of Hardwick and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Peregrine Falcons have nested on the tower for several years and volunteers are on hand with telescopes for viewing during spring and early summer.
'''St Mary's Chapel, Bridge Gate'''. 14th-century bridge chapel, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Derby and one of the few surviving bridge chapels in England. A picturesque little building next to the River Derwent, still hosting regular services but with limited opening times otherwise (see Cathedral website).
Further information on things to see and do is available from the [http://www.visitderby.co.uk/Tourist/ Derby Tourist Information Centre] in the Market Place.
Do
Go on a ghost walk in the UK's 2nd most haunted town!
Don't forget to take a look around the Cathedral, which occasionally opens the tower for some spectacular views across Derby.
Take a walk up the Derwent to Darley Park
Watch the local football team, Derby County, compete in the Coca Cola Championship at Pride Park Stadium.
Buy
Derby's main shopping centre is the newly opened Westfield Derby, which sits on the site of the old Eagle Centre. With a wide range of shops including Debenhams, Marks and Spencers and Boots. Westfield have also integrated a food court with just about every food imaginable, including Indian, Noodles, Pie and mash, Jacket Potatoes, or usual fast food outlets such as KFC.
Don't forget to visit the quaint Cathedral Quarter, near the old Market Place. Specialist shops, and some really nice bars, make this place feel extra special. Check out the Cathedral Quarter website for details of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and special events http://www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk
Eat
Porter's Pantry. 1 The Strand, DE1 1BE. 1332 295817. ttp://www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk/profile.asp?p_id=439. .30am - 3.30pm. ll meals under __5.00. 2.922635. 1.479375. Traditional English Roast Pork and Beef dinners, All Day Breakfasts and Derby Cobs served in historic surroundings.
'''Indian'''
Buddha Bar - Lounge and Restaurant - Great Indian Food as well as bits of other courses.
Anoki - Indian Restaurant located on London Road. Voted one of the UK's Top 10 Indian restaurants by The Times.
Eastern Tandoori ? 17 Curzon St, Derby Tel.01332 380083 ? Authentic & reasonably priced.
Jee-ja-Jees - Indian Restauarant located in Heatherton Village.
Shalimar - 2-3 Midland Road
Masala Art - 6 Midland Road
The Mogul Restaurant - 41-43 Green Lane
Melbourne Arms Cuisine India - 92 Ashby Road, Melbourne. Located just outside Derby, however the curries here are delicious, and look out for the Sunday buffet too.
Sunrise Tandoori - 11-13 Curzon Street
Zaytoun - 278-282 Normanton Road
Jewel of India - Uttoxeter Road
'''Chinese'''
The Excelsior - Becket Street
Zing Vaa - 524-528 Burton Road, Littleover
The Watermargin - 72-74 Burton Road
Hong Shing - 128 London Road
May Sum - 9 Babington Lane
The Shing Do - 27 Wardwick
The Peninsula - 54 Friar Gate
Wokmania - Chinese buffet on the Wardwick, a converted church!
'''Italian'''
Antibo - 21 Midland Road
Bistango - 40 St. Peter's Churchyard
'''Thai'''
Goji - 9-11 Bold Lane
Little Siam - 10 Friar Gate
The Thai Boran - 56 Green Lane
Thai Dusit - 8 Bold Lane
Siam Corner - The Spot Chambers; 43-53 Osmaston Road
'''Spanish and Tapas'''
El Toro - Spanish restaurant and Tapas on London Road.
'''Greek'''
Stelianas & Saphos Greek Taverna for excellent Greek food, located on London Road.
'''Mexican'''
Pepitos - Mexican Restaurant on London Road with a smaller branch inside the Westfield food court.
'''French'''
Le Bistrot Pierre - 18 Friar Gate
As with most major cities the usual chains such as Nando's, Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny's, Zizzi, La Tasca and Old Orleans are all to be found in the city!
Drink
Derby is noted for pubs serving a range of real ales and is home to four microbreweries (small breweries). A few pubs worthy of a visit within the city centre area are:
The Dolphin - Derby's oldest pub, with lots of character. The pub has several small rooms and an outside/partially-covered seating area which houses the pub's beer festivals at various intervals throughout the year. Food - at reasonable prices - is served throughout the day and the evening and there is also an a la carte restaurant upstairs, although not open every night. There is always a good range of well-kept beers. General knowledge quiz on Sundays, music quiz on Tuesdays. Ghost walks can also be booked here.
The Flowerpot - This is a lively and atmospheric pub on the northern edge of the city centre that serves a wide range of real ales, including some of its own microbrewery ales.
The Brunswick - The original microbrewery pub in Derby, located right near the train station in a characterful old railway building. The choice of beer on tap here has to be seen to be believed, a place not to be missed!
The Standing Order - Located on Irongate in a former bank, this pub has a truly impressive interior as well as a good selection of real ale. The Standing Order is a Wetherspoons pub.
The Seven Stars[http://www.derbycity.com/pubs/7stars.html], King Street - Traditional pub with real ales housed in a timber-framed building of around 1680.
The city holds one of Britain's largest beer festivals in July, organized by the [http://www.derbycamra.org.uk/ Derby Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)].
The majority of bars in Derby are found on Friar Gate, Sadler Gate and Iron Gate. One of the best is Bar Lisi on Sadler Gate, which is nice and intimate.
There is also Big Blue Coffee on Sadlergate that serves up excellent coffees as well as simple food such as crepes and toasted paninis.
Sleep
Sadler Gate also hosts the infamous BlueNote which has been open for over 20 years sticking to its roots as a grungy underground rot hole.
Cathedral Quarter Hotel. t Marys Gate, Derby, DE1 3JR. 115 8523207. ttp://www.cathedralquarterhotel.com/. 2.924428. 1.479831. This Grade II listed hotel is home to 38 luxury bedrooms with state of the art technology along with a mini spa and treatment rooms, conference rooms, residents' bar, private dining leading from the 80 cover fine dining restaurant in the grandeur of a ballroom and not forgetting the exclusive Chef's table experience - the first of its kind in the area.
'''Midland Hotel''', Midland Road, 01332 345894, [http://www.midland-derby.co.uk/]. Part of the Best Western chain of hotels. Sits opposite the Derby Mainline station.
'''Red Setters''', 85 Curzon Street, 362770. A non-smoking guesthouse. __20 - __25.00 per night include full English breakfast.
'''Rangemoor Park Hotel''', Macklin Street, 01332 347252, fax 01332 369319. Standard and En-suite rooms available. rates are from __20 to __70 per room per night inc Breakfast and parking.
'''The Royal Stuart Hotel''', 01332 340633.
'''Mickleover Court Hotel''', 01332 521234.
'''Melbourne View Hotel''', 01332 865353.
'''Breadsall Priory''', Moor Road, 01332 832235. Part of the Marriott chain of hotels. 12 rooms actually located in the 600+ year old Priory.
Stay Safe
As with most cities, common sense with regard to personal safety should prevail when walking around the city late at night.
Get out
'''Matlock Bath''' - around 45 minutes north up the A6, is a spa town and is like a seaside town without the sea due to the number of fish and chip shops and amusement arcades. Very popular with motorcyclists.
'''Buxton & The Peak District''' - one of the major national parks in the UK, a beautiful area for hillwalking, mountain biking, camping, climbing etc
'''Carsington Water'''