Discover Derby

Insider Tips

Thinking about a weekend away? Sure, you could visit London again or this time you could explore a little and go somewhere less mainstream. Well, we’ve got a suggestion for you, why not get yourself over to the East Midlands to explore a hidden gem…

Derby as a city is known for its rich industrial heritage and for being a great base for a visit to the nearby beautiful Peak District. But what else is there we hear you ask? Lots of cool stuff, we even stuck a few recommendations in a blog post back in 2021. All of these remain great suggestions, but why not add a few more into the mix – the more the merrier eh?

So, grab yourself a cup of tea (or beverage of choice) and we’ll share a couple more tips on what you can get up to in the UK’s most central city.

We might as well start close to home… If you are a fan of English football there’s a good chance you will have heard of Pride Park, the home of Derby County FC. Just a short walk from Pentahotel Derby is where you’ll find ‘The Rams’ playing their home games. Pride Park or ‘The iPro stadium’ as it is officially known, is seen as a positive example of a modern football stadium, with good atmosphere and reasonably priced tickets. If you’ve ever wondered what it is like behind the scenes at a football stadium, they also offer tours.

Next to the football stadium, you’ll find Derby Arena (the building in the header picture!). With a real range of different things going on there, it is probably best known for hosting sports such as badminton or cycling in its velodrome. For us though, the best option is heading over there to see some of the UK’s biggest comedians, many of whom perform at the arena when on tour.

Another spot that is walking distance from the Pentahotel and where you also might find yourself chuckling at some stand-up comedy is Derby Theatre. We have to say, we’re big fans of this place. The theatre has a great reputation for a diverse programme of plays, musicals and other performances and a genuinely strong commitment to supporting emerging artists.

One of Derby’s most impressive and historic sites has to be Derby Cathedral. Dating back to the 10th century, it is home to a range of interesting monuments and artefacts. They offer guided tours, or you can just wander around and admire the architecture. Something particularly different and unique about the cathedral is that it has gained fame in recent times as being a nesting spot for Peregrine Falcons – the world’s fastest predator (how’s that for a badass title?). If you time your visit right, you can catch a glimpse of them through a telescope from a specially set up watchpoint on the cathedral green. If you can’t be bothered to leave the Pentalounge then you can see them through the webcam on a dedicated website here.

If you are thinking about visiting this underrated city (which you most definitely should!) then we can also point you in the direction of the Visit Derby website. It is packed with loads of info about what’s on and things to do, different experiences and places to eat in the local area. Beyond that, you’ll need a comfy bed in a stylish hotel with a relaxed and welcoming environment, right? I guess that’s where we come in. Book your stay here.