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.