Did you know Derby is the UK’s most central city? Its proximity to the Peak District is one of the best things about this historic city, as well as being full of classic English culture - stroll through the local Farmers’ Market, or catch a show at the Derby Assembly Rooms.
Going to Derby for a weekend or a break away? Learn more about booking a city break.
If you’re travelling onward from our hotel in Derby, there are lots of things to see and do just a short drive from the city. How about:
For more ideas, make sure you chat with our front of house staff who will be happy to share their advice and recommendations.
Derby is perfectly located for onward journeys to other major towns and cities across the UK. To help plan your adventures, here’s a snapshot of the journey times to popular destinations, from Leonardo Hotel Derby.
Nottingham: 25 minutes by car or 20 minutes by train
Leicester: 40 minutes by car or 20 minutes by train
Birmingham: 50 minutes by car or 35 minutes by train
Manchester: one hour 40 minutes by car or train, with one change at Sheffield station
London: two hours 30 minutes by car or one hour 30 minutes by train
We look forward to welcoming you through the doors of our hotel in Derby very soon.
Best Bar: Ye Olde Dolphin Inne on Queen Street is Derby's oldest pub, dating back to 1530.
Best Restaurant: Moonsha on Friary Street serves traditional Japanese food and is perfect for any size booking.
Best Shopping: Royal Crown Derby Porcelain on Osmaston Road has some of the best tableware, giftware and collectables in the UK.
Best Attraction: The popular Derby Ghost walks are led by informative and friendly guides. Not for the faint hearted!
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Spend a day exploring Derby’s history, culture and natural environment, including both this exciting city and the wider Derbyshire county. Whether popping in for a quick browse or keeping the littluns entertained, the Derby Museum and Art Gallery has plenty of displays, exciting events, and workshops to get involved with. The museum is free and open 10am to 5pm Tuesdays- Saturday, 12-4pm Sundays.
The Silk Mill
Enjoy an afternoon learning about Derby’s rich heritage at The Silk Mill Museum. The building sits on one of the world’s first factory sites and is the ‘gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site’. The museum offers displays on local industries, ‘celebrating the makers of the past’, and ‘empower makers of the future’ with a range of learning programmes and activities. The Silk Mill Museum is under a five minute walk from our Derby hotel, but take a look at opening times as they are tailored to different days.
Derby Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral is a fantastic Derby gem city with a grand exterior and majestic interior. With a fascinating history dating back to the tenth century, Derby Cathedral houses an interesting selection of historical monuments and flourishing contemporary life, offering visitors a unique cathedral experience.
Derby Cathedral is open 7 days a week opening roughly 9am-6pm most days, and is located just down the road from our hotel.
Pickford's House
Step back in time and explore one of Derby’s finest Georgian townhouses, Pickford’s House. The museum is the former family home of architect Joseph Pickford, and shows life through the ages with everything from an Edwardian bathroom to a 1940s basement air raid shelter. We recommend: you don’t miss out on the magical toy theatre gallery, with scenes from Treasure Island, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty.
St Werburgh’s Chapel
Dating back to the 1699, St Werburgh’s chapel is a beautiful building, with original furnishings including intricate wood carvings and tiled floors. It’s free to visit and is just eight minutes away from our Derby hotel on foot. We recommend: you take your time looking at the colourful stained glass windows.
If you need more ideas about things to do and see when visiting Derby, check out our Derby City Guide.
Chatsworth House
Grand, beautiful and bursting with history, Chatsworth House is a fantastic day out for all. Located about 50 minutes’ drive outside Derby city centre, this incredible stately home has over 30 rooms to explore with an impressive and ‘significant art collection’ to boot. The grounds are extensive with 105 acres and plenty to discover with sculptures, an ‘Emperor’ fountain, and a huge maze to immerse in. For those travelling with kids, there is also an adventure playground, just in case further excitement is required!
The house is open 11am-5.30pm every day, however admission is a little pricey at £40 for adults and children.
Derby Arboretum
Commissioned and donated by Joseph Strutt for the benefit of citizens of Derby in 1840, The Arboretum was the first specially designed urban park in Britain. Today, The Arboretum offers a range of facilities: a Café, a community building, a children’s play area, water play area and sports facilities. The park also features a nature reserve, sculptures, tree trail, and historic buildings, offering the perfect day out with kids, especially in summer.
The Arboretum is a leisurely 25-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Derby.
Markeaton Park
The huge Markeaton Park on the northwest edge of the city and close to the university is a picturesque place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre. From foot golf to the high ropes course, craft village and cafe, it’s no wonder that Markeaton is considered the most popular park in Derby.
We recommend: visiting the Famous Trains Model Railway, which you’ll find near the main car park.
Darley Park
With an impressive collection of Hydrangeas, a butterfly garden, nature reserve, football pitches and children’s play area, Darley Park is the perfect place to unwind. It’s only a 15 minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Derby, and ideal if you’re visiting the city with kids in tow.
We recommend: keeping an eye on the what’s on guide for events in the park, including Darley Park Concert.
Alton Towers
This popular theme park is just a 40 minute drive from Derby and offers a day filled with exciting rides, a fantastic water park, live shows, garden and an Ice Age 4D experience. From family fun to group holidays, Alton Towers has something for everyone. On-the-day tickets cost around £51.60 for an adult and £45.60 for children with discounted rates available.
Blue Bell Arboretum & Nursery
Enjoy a jaunt around the beautiful woodland gardens filled with a plethora of rare and unusual plants. With nine acres of woodland garden to explore, this is a great outdoor activity for enjoying the wonders of nature. Blue Bell Arboretum & Nursery is open to the public Monday – Saturday year round with a £5 admission charge for adults. The nursery is a short 30 minute drive from Derby city centre.
You can delve into our Derby City Guide for more recommendations on activities and attractions to enhance your experience while visiting Derby.
intu Derby
Derby has its own fully fabulous intu shopping centre for all those wishing to immerse in some retail therapy during their city stay. Located in the thriving shopping epicentre of St Peters Quarter, intu Derby is within a 10 minutes walk of Leonardo Hotel Derby.
St Peters Street
From high street stores to restaurants, cafes and bars, St Peter’s Street is the place to shop in Derby. Make sure you venture off the main street to discover yet more pedestrianised shopping spots including The Lanes and The spot.
Derby is a shopper's paradise, offering a fantastic blend of retail therapy and unique shopping experiences. The city is home to diverse shops, boutiques, and markets, ensuring there's something for every taste and budget. If you are interested in finding additional exciting activities to enjoy during your time in Derby, take a look at our comprehensive Derby City Guide.
Get ready for an exciting day in marketing! On October 16th, 2024, Marketing Next 24 will take over Limassol, and the stunning NYX Hotel Limassol is thrilled to be the hospitality sponsor. The event, which is taking place at the Carob Mill, promises to bring together some of the biggest names in the marketing world, with tech leaders and visionary speakers from Google, Meta, Microsoft, and LinkedIn all set to share their expertise.