THINGS TO DO IN DERBY
Happen to be adventuring to Derby, England's most central city, aka. furthest from the sea, and wondering what there is to do in this fine, lesser known, Midlands paradise? Or on the converse, are you a resident of good old Derbados, like myself, and hoping to discover some new ways to spend your time?
Well look no further dear readers, for I, a Derby born and bred gal, have you covered.
Back before I moved to Manchester, I used to think that Derby was a bit, ahem, boring. I was very disparaging, and couldn't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to visit my hometown. There was nothing to do. Nothing to see. And I'd actively encourage people to go to Nottingham instead.
All that changed once I moved to Manchester for uni. Maybe it was because I missed home, because it's true, there really is no place like it. Maybe it was because I started to viewed Derby through idealistic, nostalgic lenses. Maybe it's because coming home felt exciting for once, and it felt so good to rediscover things and see what had changed in the months inbetween my visits. Maybe it's because I started to truly appreciate my hometown in a way that I never did before. Or maybe it's because Derby finally got a kick up the bum and started developing into the amazing, beautiful, quirky, creative city it was always destined to become.
I have a feeling it was a mixture of all these things.
And so as you can imagine, I now see Derby through fresh eyes, and I've discovered so much more about my hometown that I never knew before. So much so that I want to share some of my favourite discoveries, and what I consider to be the best bits about good old Derbados, with you dear readers.
So sit back, have a brew, get a Birds cob, and let me introduce you to the UK's best kept secret...
*all images included in this post have a link to their original source*
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EY UP ME DUCK
001. Alchemy Board Game Cafe Bar- Spend endless hours with a brew or a beer, playing free board games from the cafe's extensive selection, or pay £4 and head upstairs for a board game mecca
002. Brownie Points Bakery- Situated just inside Derby's Intu centre near Boots & Specsavers, this little heaven on Earth serves the most delicious brownies you could ever sink your teeth into. Coming in a variety of flavours, and costing between £1.30-£1.80 for a nice chunky slab, if you're a brownie addict like me, I guarantee Brownie Points will be your new favourite supplier.
003. The Post House- The Post House is a new development in Derby, situated in the converted old Post Office Building on Victoria Street. Filled with the stalls of different, local food & drink connoisseurs, The Post House's unique touch is that you go to the stall of your choosing, make your purchase, and then find a cosy, fairy-light lit spot to settle. It's such a creative, social and innovative idea, and a real must visit if you happen to be in town.
004. Darley Park- Only a 10-15 minute walk out of the city centre, following the River Derwent, this nearby park situated in the beautiful village of Darley Abbey, is a wonderful piece of escapism whatever the season. With lush, flowing trees, plenty of green space and little nooks and crannies to explore, it's perfect for a walk, picnic, kick around or chill, and a real favourite of mine (especially in the Autumn).
005. Sadler Gate- Filled with independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, Sadler Gate, in the city's Cathedral Quarter, is a little bit off the beaten track, and perfect for hours of foraging and exploring.
Favourites include....
006. Doughnotts- Also situated down Sadler Gate, this newly opened gem is the place to go for the best doughnuts you will ever eat in your life. Ever.
007. Cathedral Green- The perfect spot in the city to chill, walk along the River Derwent & past the Council House, hear the chimes of the Cathedral bells, explore the nearby Silk Mill and walk over the Footbridge.
008. Intu Derby- Derby's main shopping haven Intu, formerly known as Westfield, is a modern, sleek, clean & beautifully designed centre filled with brands galore, a luxury cinema, as well as a stylish food court and a wealth of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Oh, and there's now a bowling alley and mini golf to enjoy too.
009. Cathedral Quarter- A beautiful, historic part of town near the Cathedral and Sadler Gate, filled with winding roads, stunning architecture and a mixture of independent and well known businesses to peruse. Highlights include...
-Visiting the city's two Wetherspoons, The Thomas Leaper & The Standing Order, which stand side by side (yes really)
010. Pop down to the pub- Derby is renowned for it's real ale scene, and prides itself on having some cracking locals which residents (ie. my Dad) regularly frequent. The Flower Pot is great for weekly live music, Ye Olde Dolphin Inne for being old & haunted & having great festivals, The Exeter Arms for being cosy & lesser known, The Tap for a more diverse social scene, and The Old Bell for being full of rustic charm.
011. QUAD- For complete creative immersion. This funky shaped building places host to a cinema which shows both current, independent and old school films, gallery spaces for interesting and thought provoking exhibitions, a quirky shop & cafe, talks, festivals, artwork... as does it run lots of educational & social groups too. Well worth a visit!!!
012. Go Trampolining- Located at Bounce Revolution, opposite the Intu centre, this world of trampolines is so easy to get to, very reasonably priced, suitable for all ages and best of all, it gets you working up a sweat. Cue a post-trampolining Wetherspoons as a reward.
013. Revs de Cuba- Spend a glamorous evening drinking cocktails and dancing the night away to Latino music. As is a common theme in Derby, good old Revolution can be found next door.
013. Pudding at Kaspa's Dessert Bar- This newly opened franchise is the place to go for pudding. So go. Indulge. And make all your happy dessert filled dreams come true.
014. Wander up Friar Gate- Following the road out of the city past Central Library, Friar Gate is another quirky and architecturally stunning street, with lots of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and stunning buildings to admire. Favourites include:
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