101 Things to do in Derby

*Updated for 2024*

1. Pedalo and Rowing

Hire a rowing boat or pedalo and spend an hour on Markeaton Lake in Markeaton Park.

2. Have a swim at Moorways Sports Village And Water Park

Moorways Sports Village and Water Park combines a brand-new £42 million water park and leisure centre with the existing Moorways Stadium to create a fantastic new sports and leisure facility for the whole community.

Find out more here.

3. Parkrun

Parkrun starts at 9:00am every Saturday in Derby’s beautiful Markeaton Park. Runners can do a timed 5k round the park, giving them the chance to beat their time the following week, or just run for fun.

4. Bell hotel

The Bell Hotel, Derby’s largest and last surviving coaching inn has played a huge role in city’s past. The grade II listed building was constructed in 1650 and was considered one of the most prestigious coaching inns outside of London. Since its recent renovation it now houses three bars, a steakhouse and a wedding venue. Certainly worth a visit on a night out, or for Sunday Lunch.

5. Visit Electric Daisy

Visit the community garden which has a programme of events, open days and workshops running throughout the season.

Find out more here.

6. Visit Friar Gate

With plenty of bars and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to start a night out, have a quick bite to eat before the theatre or a midweek after work tipple.

7. Derby Museum

Derby Museum has longstanding and temporary exhibits, the Museum and Art Gallery boasts paintings and artefacts that are of both local and international significance. Visit the exquisite collection of Joseph Wright paintings. March through the Soldier’s Story exhibition to see the range of weaponry and objects, both military and personal. Or pop on your adventure hat and explore historic artefacts from thousands of years ago, within our Archaeology Gallery.

8. QUAD Derby

QUAD Derby is a creative hub that connects people and businesses to art and film and create opportunities for entertainment, education and participation. It transforms lives through active participation in art and film, and has a wonderful café to sit in for a coffee or a meal.

9. Showcase Cinema

Not so long ago Derby didn’t have a city centre cinema complex, but now it does its certainly worth shouting about! Boasting 12 large screens, a directors lounge and an Xplus screen.

10. Derbion

This is Derby’s largest city centre shopping mall. With plenty of shops and restaurants, a cinema, adventure golf and bowling, you can certainly spend a day shopping in Derby.