.moving to derby?
rough guide to derby
Are you moving to Derby to study or work? If you are, we've created this page for you. It's a kind of rough guide to Derby. It doesn't tell you the typical touristy things to do but is made up from comments by people who come to Trinity; people who obviously live in the city.
potted history
Derby became a city in 1977 as part of the Queens Silver Jubilee celebrations, but as a town goes back a long way. It was given its name by the Danes, and eventually became known as Derby which means ‘place of the deer’. Famously Derby is the furthest south Bonnie Prince Charlie travelled in his attempt to overthrow the government in the 1700’s. Read more about Derby on Wikipedia.
Derby has a pop. of over 230,000 and is close to Leicester and Nottingham. The train station is fairly large so it's easy to get direct trains to Derby. The Trans Peak bus service is really cheap and runs through the Peaks to Manchester. Road links are also pretty good (A38 to Birmingham, M1, A52 to Nottingham).
essentials
"Decorum on Green Lane is a great unisex hair salon. Top quality for reasonable prices and a free mug of hot chocolate while you get a haircut." Matt
the arts
"For visual arts, the Q arts gallery (near the cathedral) puts up a new show every month or so of all types of stuff: photography, sculpture etc... They have open nights where artists give talks just before their show opens. It's all free (and you get free wine!)." Emm
"For cinema, I can't even begin to describe how great the metro is. It's part of the University (temporarily at the Kedleston Road Campus) and it's just excellent. It mostly shows independent movies - what they lack in budget they make up for in often incredible plots. I haven't seen a bad film there once, even though I usually go without knowing what will be on. I suggest if you like films a lot you join as a member, then you get £1.50 or so off each time you visit. Well worth it." Emm
"For music, there are a few places for good gigs. The victoria inn is the most popular, they have all sorts there, mostly rock/ska/punk/metal etc. Also, the similarly named, Victoria pub has random indie/electro stuff on fairly regularly. It's down the road from the art campus (Britannia Mill), off Kedleston Road near Jacksons." Emm
pubs and resteraunts
"Great places to eat ... Fat Cats; European restaurant (opposite the cathedral, great Italian food in lovely cosy atmosphere); Pepitos for parties, any curry house but especially the Mogul on Green Lane and Shalimar by the railway station; the Dolphin Steak house, above the pub, quite cheap, nice old building but great just for the ales on sale downstairs. And also the real ale pubs, Brunswick, Dolphin, Flowerpot... There's also just a really nice atmosphere in Derby." Laura
"I recommend burleys, it's a little cafe near the cathedral, quite near the Aga shop. Very cute, and brown if you like that sort of thing. Their soup is amazing. You can get soup to go for £1 and it's lovely and a nice place to go for some peace and quiet." Emm
"The best fry up is the big breakfast at the Old Silk Mill. The Haus (The Wardwick) is a good place to take your parents (when they're paying)" Ann
"Derby Grill, Friargate. Practise your Turkish skills to get served instantly on a busy Friday night!!" Ed
something different
"The bookshop in Cromford rox (north of Derby on the A6). The coffee shop is hidden behind a bookcase-style hidden door! Get the R61 from the bus station to Bakewell but make sure you get off at Cromford!" Ed
"For a good walk in the countryside: set off in any direction from Monsal Head and you can't go wrong." Ann
"Windsurfing on Carsington water (day trip buses direct from bus station), £15ish for wetsuit plus board/sail hire. Obviously only go when its windy!" Ed
"The shops are improving, especially down Iron Gate and Saddler Gate." Laura
"Darley Park. The best park in Derby. Sit and watch cricket in the summer and go for a pint at the abbey (literally) after." Ed