Discover Derby…
Derby is well known for its associations with transport manufacturing, but don’t think that’s all there is to this Midlands city that sits on the banks of the River Derwent; there’s much more. The huge role that Derby played in the industrial era is evident from some of the prominent buildings; Derby Silk Mill, now a museum of industry and history, and Darley Abbey, dating back to medieval times but developed as a mill village in the 18th century. The city is big on history, evidenced by the interesting displays in the Derby Museum and Art Gallery; it has an impressive gothic cathedral, and beneath the streets are a series of tunnels, known as the Derby Catacombs, accessed through the back room of a pub!
The city centre is, like most city centres, lively and vibrant, packed with shops, bustling with business and culture; the Cathedral Quarter is quite the place to be. Escaping the flurry is easy though as there are over 900 hectares of open spaces; Markeaton Park is the most visited, with an Orangery and Craft Village, sports areas, and a boating lake. Derby Arboretum was the first urban park in Britain and has a noteworthy collection of trees and two Tudor style lodges.
There are festivals going on across the city throughout the year, bringing a carnival atmosphere to Derby. It’s home to Derby County Football Club whose ground is at iPro Stadium, and within half an hour’s drive is the Hilton at St. George’s Park, the domain of the FA’s National Football Centre and all 28 England teams. Not far away is the Donnington Park racing venue, superb for corporate hospitality and team building days, though if your crowd like golf then Breadsall Priory Marriott Hotel & Country Club will suit you; it’s set in 300 acres of glorious landscaped grounds which incorporate two top notch golf courses.
Hosting a conference in Derby shouldn’t be a problem as there are some very diverse venues to choose from including the contemporary glass fronted Holiday Inn Derby Riverlights. Another good thing about Derby is that the transport links are good, both road and rail, and the East Midlands Airport is only 15 miles away with hotels on site.