History of Derby

DERBY is the most central city in the United Kingdom, steeped in tradition offering culture and historical interest with plenty to see and do. There is currently 50 restaurants 60 pubs and 20 café/coffee bars within a stones throw of the Crompton Coach House.  Five minutes walk takes you to a wide range of retail outlets including 2 permanent markets with a new £240 million shopping complex due to be completed in 2007. With numerous historical buildings and the River Derwent running though the City there are interesting walks, churches, and museums where Derby is renowned for its welcoming reputation.

What’s Derby famous for?

•  Setting in motion Britain Industrial Revolution with some of the first factories and spinning mills with the Worlds first modern factory.  Today the historical Silk Mill has become the City’s Industrial Museum which represents the engineering history of Derby

• Royal Crown Derby where you can view the large display of china dating from 1750 with guided working factory tours of the manufacture of bone china tableware.

• “The ghost capital of England”. The centre of excellence for hauntings, horrific murders and executions. With a colossal amount of paranormal sightings.  Derby  “boasts” the last pressing to death, where gibbeting and public dissection were commonplace 

• Derby County Football Club where the rams can be seen at the Impressive Pride Park

• Derby Cathedral,  where the bells are the oldest ring of 10 bells in the world.  Guided tours are available with the opportunity to walk to the top of the 212 foot tower where the view from the top spans 3 counties.

• “Real Ale Capital of the UK” due to the 120 different ales on tap and the twice yearly CAMRA beer festivals held in the winter and summer. 

• On the edge of the magnificent Peak District, being the first national park in the Country.

• The Inventor of the hot dog, Harry Stevens, was born in Derby and emigrated to the USA in 1890.