In 1750 the first porcelain factory opened, bringing further prosperity to the town. Two hundred and fifty years later Derby is still busy manufacturing porcelain at the Royal Crown Derby factory.
Derby Cathedral - The Medieval Tower is 212 feet high, the second highest in England; its bells are rung regularly and are the oldest ring of ten bells in the world. James Gibbs designed the superb early 18th century classical gold and white nave. Interesting features are the wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell, Bess of Hardwick's elaborate memorial and St. Katherine's Chapel.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery - The Museum has a new gallery dedicated to the craft of ceramics, also features on Natural History, Egyptian Mummies and Military history. In the section devoted to the town's history, you will see the Bonny Prince Charlie Room, with wood panelling taken from Exeter House where the Prince lodged in 1745.
The Art Gallery has a collection on the work of the local artist Joseph Wright, or Wright of Derby as he is often called.
Pickford's House - This is one of Derby's fine Georgian Town Houses, built by a local designer Joseph Pickford in 1770. In the beautifully decorated rooms, you will find recreations of Georgian domestic life and historic costume displays.
Derby Heritage Centre - A quaint timber-framed building houses a wealth of historical local information, including photographic displays and books.
Derby Industrial Museum - Situated in the first factory building in England, an 18th century Silk Mill. Discover the history of railways, coal mines and Rolls-Royce aero engines, also a variety of changing exhibitions.
Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre - Take a mid-week tour of the factory, to see the skills of experienced crafts workers as they create lavishly decorated china. Visit the Factory Shop to pick up a treasure, at a bargain price.
Pride Park Football Stadium - Tours behind the scenes of the home ground, of Derby's premier league football team, fondly known as the "Rams"
Derby Arboretum - Situated in the city centre is Britain's first public park, this unique site is home to over 1,000 trees.
Shop in a traditional department store established in 1864, or one of the well known High Street names in the modern indoor shopping centre, explore the Victorian Market hall, and the colourful crafters market.
For sports activities try Derby Superbowl's 10 pin bowling, or Rollerworld and the Storm Centre for basketball, rollerblading and skateboarding. There is Golf, Cricket and Football, Sports and Leisure centres all offering fun and fitness.
Children will enjoy Freddy's Play Kingdom, and Activity World, while Mundy Play Centre offers outdoor adventure.
Derby offers cuisine from around the world, with the choice of English and specialist restaurants, coffee and tea shops, Pubs and Hotels.
Evening entertainment in the city can vary from a visit to one of the cinemas or theatres, to live music in one of the many wine bars and clubs.

Attractions near Derby
The Silk Mill - Derbys Museum of Industry and History
A Museum of Industry specialising in Aero Engines, Railways, Textiles and other aspects of Derby's Heritage.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery houses a wide range of important and attractive collections covering porcelain, paintings, archaeology, history, local regiments, geology and wildlife.
Derby Cathedral
In 1927, the existing parish church in Derby was hallowed to become a Cathedral for the creation of the new diocese of Derby.
The Donington Grand Prix Collection
Take a lap around the World's largest collection of Grand Prix cars at the Donington Grand Prix Collection, and start an incredible journey through motor sport history.
Melbourne Hall
In its picturesque poolside setting, Melbourne Hall was once the home of Victorian Prime Minister, William Lamb, who as 2nd Viscount Melbourne, gave his name to the famous city in Australia.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch Museum
Ashby Museum re-opened on Easter Saturday 2007, with a new two-storey extension housing a Community Room and Archives Room, and two revamped Exhibition Galleries.
Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Ashby - a royalist stronghold. Tour the impressive ruins of a grand medieval castle within extensive and beautiful grounds.
Tales of Robin Hood
Nottingham's most popular visitor attraction 'Tales of Robin Hood' is just a two minute walk away from the Castle - making it an ideal half day experience.

Derby County Football Club / The Rams

are an English football club based in Derby. They currently play in the Premier League, the highest division of English football.

Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent and is surrounded by the shire county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census the population of the borough was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407. Measured by Urban Area, Derby is the 18th largest settlement in England.
Status
Traditionally, Derby is the county town of Derbyshire, although Derbyshire's administrative centre has in recent years been Matlock. On 1 April 1997 Derby City Council became again a unitary authority (a status it had held, as a County Borough, up until 1974), with the rest of Derbyshire administered from Matlock. Derby has two hospitals: the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the Derby City Hospital.

History
The City has Roman, Saxon and Viking connections.

 The Roman camp of 'Derventio' was probably at Little Chester/Chester Green (grid reference SK353375);

The site of the old Roman fort is at Chester Green,

just south of local football (soccer) pitches.

Later the town was one of the 'Five Boroughs' (fortified towns) of the Danelaw.
 

The Tower of Derby Cathedral, Englands third tallest (Anglican) cathedral church tower

The popular belief is that the name 'Derby' is a corruption of the Danish and Gaelic Djúra-bý (recorded in Anglo-Saxon as Deoraby) (Village of the Deer); however some assert that it is a corruption of the original Roman name 'Derventio'.

The town was also named 'Darby' or 'Darbye' on some of the oldest maps, eg. Speed's 1610 map.

The city is one of the few cities that has retained a name with a Viking origin, like York, which had the Viking name Jórvík.

Derby recently celebrated its 2,000th year as a settlement.

New research (throughout 2004) into the history and archaeology of Derby has provided evidence that the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons probably co-existed, occupying two areas of land surrounded by water. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (c. 900) says that "Derby is divided by water". These areas of land were known as Norþworþig ("Northworthy", = "north enclosure") and Deoraby, and were at the "Irongate" (North) side of Derby[citation needed]. (Ron McKeown of Derby Heritage Development Trust has produced a recent paper on this subject.)
 

The Middle Ages to the 18th century
During the Civil War of 1642-1646 the town was garrisoned by Parliamentary troops commanded by Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet, who was appointed Governor of Derby in 1643. These troops took part in the defence of Nottingham, the siege of Lichfield, the battle of Hopton Heath and many other engagements in Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, as well as successfully defending Derbyshire against royalist armies.

Bonnie Prince Charlie made camp at Derby on 4 December 1745, whilst on his way south to seize the English crown. The Prince called at The George Inn on Irongate, where the Duke of Devonshire had set up his headquarters, and demanded billets for his 9000 troops.

Statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie located on Cathedral GreenHe stayed at Exeter House, Exeter Street where he held his "Council of War". A replica of the room containing actual wall panels from Exeter house is on display at the Central library located on the Wardwick in the City Centre.  He had received misleading information about an army coming to meet him south of Derby. Although he wished to continue with his quest, he was overruled by his fellow officers. He abandoned his invasion at Swarkestone Bridge, on the River Trent, just a few miles south of Derby. As a testement to his belief in his cause the Prince who on the march from Scotland had walked at the front of the column made the return journey on horseback at the rear of the bedraggled and tired army.

Each year at the beginning of December, (usually the first weekend), the Charles Edward Stuart Society of Derby lead a weekend of activities culminating in a parade through the City Centre and a battle on Cathedral Green.