Derby is birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, gateway to the Peak District, and the UK's most central city. And those are just the headlines. Other notables include Derby’s trendy art galleries and museums, gourmet restaurants and all the cultural liveliness that comes from having a large university population. Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Derby include a centrally located B&B, a friendly pub-with-rooms, and an elegant Grade II-listed country house hotel just ten minutes from the centre of town.

The story of Derby is a story of peaks and troughs. The industrial revolution transformed what was once a quaint little market town into a vibrant manufacturing centre: the world's first fully-mechanised factory was in Derby, and until the end of the 20th-century everything from bone china to aircraft engines was made here. Regency and Victorian architecture shot up as the town grew wealthy, and several of the best places to stay in Derby have been converted from mansions built during the boom. The decline in manufacturing in the 1970s left Derby high and dry, but it's experiencing a revamp, and is coming back as one of the trendiest UK cities to live in.

If you’re searching for the best places to stay in Derby for a mini-break, and you’re also hoping for itinerary recommendations, our Gurus urge you to explore the Cathedral Quarter, a part of town with lovely old streets lined with boutiques, and some fantastic bars and restaurants, old market halls and wide green spaces. The Cathedral itself is Georgian, with an impressive 16th century tower that is now home to peregrine falcons. We also recommend the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford House, and the Derby Market Hall.

The Best Places to Stay in Derby

For Romantics

• Kedleston Court Country House is a Grade II-listed country house conversion on the Kedleston Hall estate, just ten minutes from the centre of Derby. With only five rooms, this is an intimate stay, but its charming bar and restaurant have a pleasant buzz. We like the Georgian-era dining room and terrace overlooking the gardens — the perfect spot for an aperitif or cocktails.

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Farmhouse at Mackworth is a recently converted pub, restaurant and inn, with elegantly creative contemporary detail throughout. There are ten rooms and suites, all uniquely decorated in muted colours, with indulgent bathrooms, large beds, and original artwork. The restaurant serves modern British fare, with a regional slant, accompanied by local ales. Perfect for exploring Derby, or the Peak District.

Best B&Bs

• The Coach House Darley Abbey is an elegant B&B in the heart of Derby, converted from a gentleman’s residence, built in 1860. Today the stables have been converted into rooms, as well as the rooms in the house. There are seven  in total, all uniquely decorated with bold colours, natty details and a mixture of design furniture and antiques. Plus there's the garden and the bright blue bar. Time your visit to correspond with one of The Coach House’s Supper Clubs and you don’t even need to go out to eat. Good for romantics.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• East Midlands Airport is Derby’s closest airport, just 17 minutes outside central Derby by taxi. Manchester Airport is next closest, about an hour and 17 minutes away by taxi or car, or about two hours by train via Sheffield. If you’re travelling via London, the direct train leaves from St Pancras, and the journey that takes about an hour and a half.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Derby is a lively city, with a richly packed cultural calendar of festival and event offerings throughout the year, as well as its historic and cultural highlights, so it’s a great choice for a year-round city break destination. If you’re trying to plan your visit to Derby to correspond with nice weather, the best time to visit will be between April and August, when you’re likely to get the most sunshine and the warmest days. As with most of the UK, Derby can have rain sprung on it at a moment's notice, so pack your waterproofs whenever you’re planning to visit.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to our Gurus’ recommendations for the best places to stay in Derbyshire or the best place to stay in the Peak District
• Refine by the kind of hotels you’re looking for and consider just the best pubs-with-rooms in Derbyshire, the best pubs-with-rooms in the Peak District or the best country house hotels in the Peak District
• Consider some of Derby’s neighbouring towns, the best places to stay in Buxton for example
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.