Galleries and Visitor Attractions in Derby
Derby has a wealth of cultural, retail and entertainment attractions where residents and visitors alike can enjoy a day out. From the dynamic heart of the city in the Cathedral Quarter to thrilling adrenaline rushes at Donington Park, Derby's has so much to offer visitors. Below you'll find information on Derby's most popular attractions and galleries. You can find other places to visit in Derby here, or click this link for tourist information.
Cathedral Quarter
The Cathedral Quarter is the place to shop, eat, drink and be entertained in Derby. The area hosts a variety of historical landmarks, art galleries, shops, pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, and everything else you need for a dynamic day or night out in the heart of the city. Home to several independent retailers, the Cathedral District's specialty shops offer shoppers a unique mix of clothing, crafts and gadgets. Main sights include the historic Derby Cathedral, the Silk Mill UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Derby Museum, which is the home of works by Joseph Wright. The lively district is also home to the Derby Central Library, the Assembly Rooms and the Guildhall.
The Cathedral District is bound by the River Derwent to the east. It is also bordered by St. Alkumnd's Way to the north, Ford Street to the west, and Albert, Victoria, Wardwick and Friargate to the south. Getting to the Cathedral Quarter is easy by foot, bicycle, public transport, car or taxi. The main bus station is just a five minute walk from the Cathedral Quarter. There are also plenty of affordable car parks throughout the area, including RCP, council and private car parks.
Westfield Derby
Westfield Derby has over 200 shops, as well as a supermarket. The 12-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux also provides visitors with a state-of-the-art movie viewing experience. There are also a number of places to choose from to have a bite to eat with culinary treats from around the world. Located in the centre of Derby, the shopping hub is only a few minutes from the city's main bus and rail stations. When finished exploring the shopping centre, visitors to Wesfield Derby can also drop the Eagle Market. Located next to Westfield Derby, Eagle Market is the UK's largest indoor market. Also nearby is the Derby Theatre and St. Peter's Way, another of Derby's shopping districts.
Donington Park
Motorsport enthusiasts visiting Derby cannot miss Donington Park south east of the city centre. Located close to Castle Donington, the motorcycle and car racing circuit has been used since the 1930s and hosts a wealth of events throughout the year. The site also features a Formula One museum with more than 100 cars and other artefacts, including displays for all past and current circuits. Visitors can also experience the track with exciting track driving experiences offered by The Racing School and the Honda Ron Haslam Race School.
A past host of the Formula One British Grand Prix, popular events at Donington Park include the thrilling British round of the MotoGP motorcycling championship. The venue also hosts the annual Download Festival, a rock festival that has seen performances by Def Leppard, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Slipknot and others. It also hosts the Zoo Project Festival, which brings beats from Ibiza over three days each year. Donington Park is located close to the Derby Midland rail station and the East Midlands Parkway station.
Derby Guildhall Theatre
A grade II listed building, the Guildhall Theatre is an intimate live performance venue that seats 242 people. It is primarily used for amateur theatre and dance, as well as live music, comedy, children's, jazz and folk productions. Touring theatre companies have also performed regularly at the Guildhall Theatre, including world class productions of west-end musicals. Visitors can also often see art exhibitions at the theatre's foyer. Situated at Market Place in the centre of Derby, the theatre is housed within the Cathedral Quarter and close to the historic Assembly Rooms.
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