Where is Derby?
Derby sits along the River Derwent, about 30 minutes’ drive from Nottingham and 40 minutes from Matlock.
The city sits just north of the Trent Valley Washlands and east of the South Derbyshire Claylands.
Transport in Derby
As the county’s only city, Derby plays an important role as a transport hub for those who live not only within Derby but in the wider Derbyshire area.
Having its own railway station, situated south east of the city centre; from Derby station, commuters can catch regular trains to the likes of London St Pancras, Leicester and Sheffield, as well as to places like Birmingham, Cardiff and various cities across Scotland.
A direct train to London St Pancras from Derby can get you into the capital in as little as an hour and a half.
Those living in Derby also enjoy easy access to the M1, with an M1 access point sitting about 10 miles east of the city.
The M1 connects Derby to the likes of London, Sheffield and Leeds.
Derby is also a little over 20 minutes’ drive from East Midlands Airport, in nearby Castle Donington.
Shopping in Derby
The Derbion is Derby’s largest shopping centre.
Situated in the city centre, the Derbion houses more than 150 different retailers, as well as a food court, a cinema, a bowling alley, and theatre, with the likes of M&S, H&M and JD Sports all having outlets there.
Aside from The Derbion, Derby has two notable shopping districts: Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter.
Cathedral Quarter is largely known for its high-end boutique stores, with its trendy cafés and shops perfectly complemented by the districts’ quaint cobbled streets.
St Peter’s Quarter, on the other hand, is largely populated by high street chains and quirky independent retailers – with the whole district having quite an eclectic feel.
Things to do in Derby
Living in a city comes with certain perks, especially when it comes to amenities and entertainment venues a-plenty, and Derby doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Amongst Derby’s more prominent arts venues is QUAD.
A creative arts centre that regularly hosts workshops and houses a number of cinemas; QUAD is a great place to get inspired.
Then there’s Moorways Sports Village, a fitness studio, featuring both a gym and pool, that’s also home to a family-friendly water park as well as two soft play facilities.
In terms of outdoor space, Markeaton Park is one of Derby’s biggest, with its mini golf course, paddling pool and high rope course – amongst the many other activities the park hosts throughout the year – making it perfect for those wanting a little more from their afternoons out at the park.
If you have little ones, we also recommend the Bluebell Farm Park, which, apart from offering a novel ice cream parlour, also has a lovely little petting zoo, a go-kart course and several play areas for your kids to explore.
For something a bit more laid back though, there’s Darley Park, which is within walking distance of the city centre and sits alongside the River Derwent. More than just a scenic spot for a stroll, the park is also home to a beautiful butterfly garden too.
Popular places to live in Derby
Derby has a number of villages and suburbs that would make for a lovely place to call home.
Below are a few of our favourites:
Mickleover
Mickleover is a suburb that’s less than 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
The suburb is particularly popular amongst young families thanks to its good selection of schools, with the suburb having a nice mix of primary and secondary schools, as well as several nurseries to choose from.
The suburb is also home to a golf club, a David Lloyd gym and several different supermarkets, including a Co-op and a Tesco.
Explore some of the properties we have available in Mickleover
Allestree
A largely rural suburb in Derby, Allestree is ideal if you’re an outdoorsy type.
The suburb is home to the largest public park in Derby – Allestree Park – which has its own golf course and is surrounded by beautiful lakes.
Allestree is about 15 minutes’ drive from Derby city centre.
Chaddesden
A smaller suburb, Chaddesden nevertheless has much to offer and sits about 9 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
A highlight of the area is the popular Chaddesden Park, with its tennis courts, playground, BMX track, and skate park.
The suburb is also home to a large retail park, with the likes of Tesco, Aldi and B&M all having outlets at the park.
Considering living in Derby?
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