Things to do in Derby England

Our 29-Day Detour to Derby, England

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Our Budget Travelers’ Itinerary for Museums and More

Nestled in the heart of the English countryside, Derby is a charming city that often flies under the radar for travelers. During the four years we lived in England we never got around to visiting Derby. We only discovered it when we hit a glitch in our travel plans and needed to find a budget friendly place to stay in England for a 29 day gap in our slow travel itinerary. We visited the city of Derby for almost a month in April/May 2024 and found that Derby has plenty to offer for those willing to explore . During our visit we went to several of the local museums. All were free admission with a donation requested.

Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Derby

1. Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill

One of the absolute highlights of our time in Derby was visiting the Museum of Making, housed in the historic Derby Silk Mill. This building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is celebrated as the world’s first ‘modern’ factory. Part of the building date back to the early 1700s, and you can even walk through the original gates where the factory workers once went through to get to work.

This Museum of Making inside this historic mill is jam-packed with interesting exhibits that take you through the 300 year history of making all sorts of stuff and the people who were involved in these industries.

picture we took of the Silk Mill sign in Derby - Things to do in Derby
A silk mill dating to the early 1700’s, the building itself is well worth a visit. The exhibits in the museum are an added bonus.
picture we took of hte exterior of the Silk Mill in Derby | Things to do in Derby England
Spanning several floors of galleries, this museum is focused on – as the name may have given away – manufacturing and making things.

picture we took of the Assemblage exhibit sign inside the Museum of Making - Things to do in Derby
picture we took of the Assemblage exhibit inside the Museum of Making - Things to do in Derby
From handmade one of a kind furniture to mass produced items, the history of ‘things being made’ is the central theme. There are interactive exhibits as well as kid-centric activities.
picture we took of one of drawers you can open and explore inside the Museum of Making Assemblage exhibit - Things to do in Derby
There are a tremendous number of cabinets and drawers to open and explore. Super fascinating for the ‘I need to get into things’ mindset!
Rolls Royce jet engine
Rolls Royce jet Engine at the Museum of Making – Derby, England
Derby Museum of Making 07A
Display at the Museum of Making – Derby, England
Derby Museum of Making 08A
Display at the Museum of Making – Derby, England
Derby Museum of Making 08
Display at the Museum of Making – Derby, England
exploded Toyota Hybrid car
Exploded Toyota Car displayed at the Museum of Making – Derby, England

There is a small cafe, The River Kitchen, on the ground floor.

Accessibility: A lift is available and most of the spaces are fairly wide open so accessibility is okay. Wheelchair users may miss a bit due to the heights of some things but I wasn’t looking specifically for accommodations when we went through. For example, if there isn’t a raised platform somewhere in the train room, a seated observer would have a very poor view of the tracks.

Admission is free – donations accepted

🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Tour of Derby’s Museum of Making Overview | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England
🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Museum in a Minute – Museum of Making | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England

2. Pickford’s House

The Pickford house, a Georgian era home has been open as a museum since 1988 and offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a prominent 18th century citizen.

pickford house 01

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Each room feels alive with period-correct furnishings that showcase the ornate craftsmanship of the time.
pickford house 04
The main entry hall sets the tone with its elaborate plasterwork adorning both the walls and ceiling—a true testament to the artistry of Georgian design.
pickford house 03
The “lower ground floor”—or what we Americans might call a daylight basement—is where the hard work of the household happened. This is where you’ll find the kitchen and laundry facilities, providing insight into the behind-the-scenes labor that kept homes like this running.
pickford house 06
The top floor of the house feels like a museum within a museum. It’s dedicated to Derby’s theater history, featuring interactive elements like a ‘Thunder Run’ and a wind machine. The exhibits include intricate theater models, vintage playbills, costumes, and more, bringing the world of 18th-century drama to life.
pickford house 05
Out back, the house has two distinct gardens: a decorative garden visible from the dining room and a practical kitchen garden on the opposite side. Both are charming in their own way and add to the historical ambiance.

Admission is free, though donations are welcome. We spent just about an hour exploring, which felt like the perfect amount of time to soak it all in.

🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Tour of Derby’s Pickford House | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England
🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Tour of Derby’s Pickford House Toy Theater | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England

3. The Derby Museum & Art Gallery

The Derby Museum and Art Gallery offers a little something for everyone, with exhibits spanning a wide range of topics. Specialty displays highlight Bonnie Prince Charlie, Derbyshire’s rich military history, and the region’s renowned porcelain heritage.

It’s the kind of place that appeals to general interest and curiosity. Admission is free (donations welcome), and we spent nearly two hours here without even stopping by the café—which, interestingly, doubles as a large gallery itself.

derby museum 01
Porcelain on display in the onsite café
derby museum 04
One of the standout sections is the exhibit dedicated to Derbyshire’s military history, which dives deep into the county’s long and storied connection to Britain’s armed forces.
derby museum 02
Natural sciences are well-represented too, with fossils and the classic taxidermy specimens you’d expect in a museum like this.

The art gallery, however, is where the museum truly shines. The collection includes stunning works, but what sets it apart are two things: the incredibly knowledgeable docent on duty and a large guidebook filled with detailed information about each painting. If the display cards don’t satisfy your curiosity, you’ll find plenty of extra context right there in the room.

derby museum 03

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Small exhibits like this are tucked away here and there. The building itself has some nice details to keep an eye out for. Remember to look up at the ceilings and pay attention to the doors and windows as you make your way through
🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Derby Museum and Art Gallery video | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England
🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Museum in a Minute video – Derby Museum and Art Gallery | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England

Bonus Stops for Budget Travelers

1. Derby Arboretum

Britain’s first specially designed urban public park, Derby Arboretum opened in 1840.

arboretum square

Interesting buildings and occasional statues break up the feeling of being in a forest. Arboretum Park is about a mile from the city center and very near the Nightingale Quarter where we stayed.

Derby Arboretum 01
Derby Arboretum 02

There are multiple pathways through and around the park so it’s a great place to have a nice walk. There are quite a few benches scattered around the park as well for when you want a moment of quiet reflection

Derby Arboretum 04
An important thing to keep in mind when you visit is that it is an arboretum, not a botanic garden. It’s all about the trees, not the flowers
🎥 EXPLORE WITH US: Our Derby Arboretum Short Video | Budget Friendly Things to Do in England

Other Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Derby

  • Shortlist of other free or affordable attractions:
    • Derby Cathedral
    • Markeaton Park for picnics or light hiking. Lots of activities to choose from including canoe rides, tennis, basketball, bouncing castles, kids climbing, crafting and so much more! Good wheelchair and toilet access.
    • Computer Museum – We missed out on the computer museum because it is an all volunteer deal, appears to only be open on some Saturdays and we didn’t know about it early enough in our stay to make arrangements.
    • Darley Park for its landscaped gardens and peaceful vibe.

Final Thoughts: Why Derby is Perfect for Budget Travelers

In a nutshell: Derby is not a ‘tourist-centric’ city. There are a few sightseeing or touristy activities in Derby and most people can probably do with just a couple of days here. Unless you like us and really like the idea of hanging out in a relaxing city. We found it to have a very laid back vibe which was perfect for us. We visited each of these places on separate days because it suited us but a motivated person could probably knock out all 4 in a single day.

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Jeff

Living Abroad, on a modest budget, one country at a time.

In 2023 my wife and I sold 99.9999% of everything we owned, packed our lives into carry-on luggage and dove into fulltime international travel to figure out where in the world we could actually afford to live without draining our savings. If you're interested in doing the same, following along at https://themobileretiree.com