Take a Peak at Derby this summer
Whether you're staying for a short break or just here for the day, take a peak at Derby City this summer!
With its lively atmosphere and wide variety of activities, Derby has plenty on offer for those interested in history, culture, sports, or shopping. Here’s a whole host of reasons why you should visit Derby this summer.
Take a Peak at Culture
The Museum of Making is located on a site of global significance, where the Derby Silk Mill – widely regarded as the site of the world’s first modern factory – first stood over 300 years ago. This is no ordinary museum. It has been created and built by the people and industries of Derby.
Get hands on this summer and try some of workshops available, or relax and unwind in the River Kitchen café, serving fresh, seasonal and local food.
Take a Peak at amazing street food
Come and release your ‘inner foodie’at Bustler Market. With an array of top-notch street food, special cocktails and a selection of the finest craft beers. The regular street markets are on every weekend, Thursday to Sunday, for the six weeks of summer from 22nd June to 30th July 2023.
Not forgetting live DJs, retro arcades, karaoke, silent disco weekends and lots of special events throughout the summer.
Design you own Gin
G1 is an exceptionally smooth and well balanced premium London dry gin and serves as an incredibly versatile cocktail gin. The hero botanical, the heartsease, is a flower of remembrance and also symbolises the love or admiration of one person for another.
Try your hand at gin making at the Withers Gin school and hand craft your own unique bottle of gin. 10% of all profits are donated to cancer charities.
Set sail on the Derby Riverboat
See a World Heritage Site from a solar-powered, zero-emission riverboat. Setting sail upstream from Exeter Bridge, the new Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust riverboat service runs throughout the summer past the Silk Mill to Darley Abbey.
The Riverboat has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, as well as accessible to all. Passengers using the boat can listen to an audio commentary by Sir David Suchet on the way up the river, which is crammed with facts about Derby’s place in history and its plans for the future.
Make waves at Moorways
Moorways’ water park is an amazing family destination. It’s here you’ll be able to enjoy water flumes, water slides and the Wow Ball wave creator, all of which help to make a fun day out for the whole family.
Make a splash with friends on the River Derwent
Enjoy a fantastic introduction to canoeing with Twin Peak Outdoor Activities on the River Derwent at Darley Abbey, ideal for those who have never been in a canoe before.
Once on the water, you start with a short practice and some games. Then it's off up the river, stopping along the way to play a few more games. This adventure is perfect for individuals and small or large groups.
Take a Peak at Summer Nights cinema
An unmissable festival of outdoor film screenings in beautiful locations throughout the summer. Round up your friends and family, pack your camping chairs, blankets and picnics, and enjoy a spectacular cinematic experience under the stars.
Screenings include The Greatest Showman, Elvis and Top Gun: Maverick. For more details and to book visit Derby QUAD.
A bit of retail therapy
If you love shopping, you’ll find something for everyone in Derby. The Derbion large shopping centre is home to some of the world’s biggest brands with a host of eateries and entertainment on offer.
Alternatively, if you want a unique quality shopping destination, then wander down to the Cathedral Quarter. Historical streets, with arcades and hidden entrances, are dotted throughout the area, and there's a myriad of specialist stores and independent retailers, which makes it an exciting place to shop.
Peak your appetite
Indulge in culinary delights, with an array of food and drink options across the city. From traditional English pubs serving hearty pub grub to trendy eateries showcasing international cuisines, Derby is a food lover's haven.
The city is brimming with charming cafes, stylish restaurants, and hidden gems, each offering their own unique flavours and dining experiences.
Why not treat yourself to a little piece of Spain in Darley Abbey with cocktails and tapas at Lorentes, a perfect way to end the day.
For more ideas of things to see and do in Derby this summer, take a peak at Visit Derby.
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