Derby Artist
Derby Artist
10 Things to Do and See in Derby and Surrounding areas
The city of Derby is steeped in history in its own right but also makes a great base for exploring the stunning surrounding countryside such as the Derbyshire Dales and the Peak District National Park. As a result there is a wide variety of attractions to be found in and around the Derby area, both for locals and visitors alike.
Below is a list of the top ten local attractions in Derby based on a combination of popularity and proximity to the city.
1. Derby Cathedral
The tower of Derby Cathedral is an iconic image within the city that dominates its skyline. A trip to the top of the tower will provide visitors breath-taking views of the city. The history of the Cathedral dates back to the tenth century and contains a wealth of treasures including The Bakewell Screen, Bess of Hardwick’s Monument, St Katharine’s Chapel, Joseph Wright’s tombstone and Ceri Richards Stained Glass windows.
In 2006 a family of Peregrine Falcons nested in the cathedral tower and their progress can be followed online.
2. The Silk Mill – Derby Museum of History and Industry
The Silk Mill is situated on the site of one of the world’s first ever factories and makes up Part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It now houses Derby’s collection of industrial memorabilia including railways and a wide range of Rolls Royce aircraft engineering. This popular attraction is a great insight into Derby’s industrial past.
3. Royal Crown Derby
The Royal Crown is the oldest surviving manufacturer of English fine bone china and dates back to 1750 in its origins at Nottingham road. Now based in Osmaston, the company is privately owned and is renowned for its quality and creativity. Visitors can tour the factory while in operation as well as the museum, factory shop and coffee shop which make up the visitor centre.
4. Derby QUAD
Situated in the heart of the city centre, QUAD comprises of a gallery, cinema, cafe bar and arts workshop all contained in the iconic new building that gives it its name. QUAD is the only place outside of London to host a British Film Institute’s National Archive. Visitors can enjoy the cream of international, independent and Hollywood film on its two purpose built screens.
5. Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery is home to a large variety of prominent and interesting collections including porcelain, paintings, archaeology and wildlife. The museum also displays the largest collection of paintings in the world of the local artist Joseph Wright who was an Associate of the Royal Academy. His subjects include portraits, landscapes, literary subjects and scenes from industry and scientific equipment representing a very important and exciting era of pioneering discovery.
The Archaeology Gallery is where local material from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages can be found including a sarcophagus and a number of Anglo-Saxon crosses. In the gallery there are also a couple of Eqyptian mummies.
The museum’s temporary exhibitions program ensures around 20 different varied and exciting displays each year.
6. Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
The importance of the Derwent Valley is demonstrated by the fact that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Derby is one of only five cities in the UK to have this. The Valley runs from Derby and follows the River Derwent past Darley Abbey and into Matlock. The scenery running throughout is some of the most picturesque in the country.
7. Derby Ghost Walks
As you would expect from the most haunted city in the UK, Derby offers a number of different ghost walks through the city as well as overnight vigils and one off events throughout the year with Halloween being one of the busiest.
8. Chatsworth House
A little further afield in Chatsworth, Bakewell in the Derbyshire Peak District is Chatsworth House. This stunning property, home to the Dukes of Devonshire and the Cavendish family since 1549, is open to the public from March to December and contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculpture, books and other artefacts. As well as the house and it’s contents, there are regular exhibitions, a farm shop and restaurant and 1000 acres of land to explore that make up the estate.
9. Pride Park Stadium
The stadium is home to Derby County FC, the city’s number one football team, also known as The Rams. The stadium is a popular attraction within the city mainly amongst football fans as they can get a behind the scenes tour and a walkout onto the famous turf.
10. Heights of Abraham
Based in Matlock Bath, in the Derbyshire Peak District, is The Heights of Abraham opened as a regency style ‘savage garden’. It is accessed by a cable car rising from the floor of the Derwent Valley that gives you fantastic 360 degree views along the valley as well as to the wider Peak District. Once at the top there are many things to do and explore including the network of caverns, fossil factory, a coffee shop, a gift shop and the summit bar. This remains one of the busiest attractions in the Peak District and a short stop away for those visiting Derby itself.
About the Author
For more local information about Derby, including what’s on and where to go, visit www.activderby.com
Hampton Roads Virginia Festivals
Virginia Arts Festival
Begun in 1997 as a way to promote tourism, this spring festival showcases artists from around the world as well as the Virginia’s best professional artists. The arry of performances include of music, theatre and dance. Festival events are held in eight cities across Hampton Roads in concert halls, performing arts centers, opera houses, theatres, museums, outdoor stages, and historic churches.
North American Sand Soccer Championship
The North American Sand Soccer Championship, held annually in Virginia Beach in early June. Between games, players and spectators, mingle and relax on the the beach. Often during the event, street vendors attend selling foods and art on the boardwalk. Teams for this event are a mix of adults, teenagers, and small children. There are all-male teams, all-female teams, and coed teams that make up each division. A pro division includes a team from the United States as well as from other countries.
Norfolk Jazz Festival
Held in Town Point Park over 2 days, this is the region’s longest running outdoor jazz festival. The festival recruits nationally known artists as well as a selection of local and regional jazz favorites.
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival is one of the Commonwealth’s most highly anticipated events. Attendance often exceeds 350,000 visitors and art sales can surpass $2 million annually. The event has been ranked in the top 50 best fine art & design shows in the nation by Sunshine artist magazine. Prize money for artist awards reached over $30,000 in 2008, a milestone which has attracted high-caliber artists and art collectors since.
Suffolk Peanut Fest
Suffolk Peanut Fest offers concerts, amusement rides, contests and competitions, a demolition derby, a truck and tractor pull, motorcycle rally, fireworks, as well as local and national entertainment. The event has been featured in numerous magazines, including Virginia Business, Southern Living, The Southern Farmers Almanac, Best Festivals—Mid Atlantic and others.
Hampton Jazz Festival
The Hampton Jazz Festival is held each year during the last full weekend in June. Festival organizers evaluate available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival, bringing in the best musicians possible. Held in the Hampton Coliseum, the venue is highly respected by Hampton residents and visitors.
Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival
The Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival is Norfolk’s annual New Orleans’ and Bayou culture festival. This 3-day summer festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors to Town Point Park in true Cajun and Creole style.
Norfolk Latino Music Festival
This August festival features the largest outdoor dance floor in Hampton Roads filled with salsa, merengue, and guaguanco dancing and live music by local, regional, and national Latin recording artists.
Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife
The Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife is held in Newport News. This is Southeast Virginia’s biggest traditional craft show, featuring over 200 vendors, crafts, trades, entertainment, foods and children’s activities.
Holidays in the City
Holidays in the City celebrates 25 years with six weeks of magical festivities, saluting the holidays of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve. The festivities in late November with the Grand Illumination of the downtown skyline. The highlight is the annual Grand Illumination Parade where floats, marching bands, giant balloons, dancers and Santa himself parade through downtown Norfolk.
About the Author
The author writes for Virginia websites including Virginia Beach VA, Tidewater – Hampton Roads Virginia and Chesapeake Bay News.
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