Derby - The Gateway to the Peak District

Derby has long been considered as the main eastern gateway into the fabulously attractive Peak District of Northern England, and is a great place from which to explore the Pennines, the mountain range that marks the backbone of the country. Visitors will find that Derby offers them a wide range of things to see and do actually within the city itself, and thanks to its excellent location and good links to the surrounding area, also provides them with the ideal base from which to explore many of the top attractions in the region.

Over the last twenty years or so, Derby has emerged as one of the leading manufacturing cities in the country thanks to the construction of the large Toyota factory just outside it. This has provided a huge amount of jobs for the region, and has led to people from all over the country moving to Derby in order to work and live.

The redevelopment of the city center that was carried out in the late 1990s gave the place a new lease of life, and the banks of the River Trent offer a number of pleasant parks in which the locals and tourists alike are able to spend lazy days in the summer enjoying the best weather.

The area close to the city center has a range of small theaters and is also well known as the main nightlife area of the town. While Nottingham nearby also offers a range of good bars and clubs, the choice in Derby is generally good enough for most visitors thanks to the fact that there is something for everyone, from students through to older visitors who are looking for a more sophisticated evening out.

Within an hour of Derby, visitors can explore many of the small villages of the peak district and see the landscapes of the Pennines, which offer both upland moors and areas of natural beauty such as Malham Tarn with its limestone pavements and soaring cliffs.

The historic towns of Matlock and Buxton to the west of Derby are both established market towns where you can explore local craft fares and pick up a few well made local products. Buxton is also known for its springs and still has a traditional spa hotel where you can take the waters and enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation amid the pleasant woodland scenery of the Derbyshire valleys.