Activities and Family Activities in Derby

Derby is the UK's most central city benefiting from the best of both worlds - a great cultural base situated in the East Midlands on the edge of the Peak District National park.

Situated on the River Derwent in the southern part of the county of Derbyshire, Derby is a thriving, cohesive multi-cultural city where people quickly settle quickly into local communities. Derby has a population of nearly 250,000 and has been twinned with Osnabruck in Germany for over 30 years.

Derby is a great destination for walkers, cyclists and horse riders as almost all the Peak District National Park lies within its borders. There are many picturesque villages and hamlets within the Peak District including Castleton with its amazing caverns and the hill of Mam Tor which is well worth climbing for the view from the peak, and Eyam which is famous as the ‘plague village’ when in 1665 the villagers chose to cut themselves off from outsiders after an outbreak of plague. Their bravery prevented the disease from spreading across the nation.

If you’re looking for some fun activities in this beautiful city, there is undoubtedly lots of opportunities available for you -

ROCK CLIMBING
Derby Rock Climbing Clubs offer a range of different rock climbing days to suit your interests, whether you are a novice climber or seeking a new challenge! Courses are held throughout the year at various crags throughout Derby and the Peak District.

CYCLING
Derby is a great city to cycle around; it's compact and not too hilly. The city is surrounded by countryside and has wild places within the city. Guaranteed, you'll meet the unexpected when you cycle in Derby.

This is a great place to base yourself for cycling adventures across the beautiful Peak District & Derbyshire and The National Forest. Not only is there great countryside on the doorstep, they have great programmes too!

The city has more pubs selling real ale than anywhere else in the UK and are not only the home of scores of micro-breweries, they also have two amazing ale events - the Summer Beer Festival held in July and the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival hosted in world's oldest Roundhouse in February. They also have a host of other festivals staged in the city each year.

HIKING
Guided walking trips are also available, ranging from The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge to scenic rambles in the Lake District. Perfect for preparing for your Lost Earth Adventures overseas expedition or for experiencing a rewarding day out in the mountains of England! Navigation and map reading courses can also be organised to suit you and your group.

GOLF
From cable cars above the valleys to caverns below the hills and from hair-raising roller-coaster rides to horse-drawn trams, Derbyshire is the kind of place that you never want to leave. And if you do, you'll likely pray endlessly for a swift return. At the remarkable Heights of Abraham in Matlock Derby, you can take a cable car to the summit followed by a guided tour of its famous show caverns. This place is ideal for kids not to mention adults who yearn for a return to their youth!

KAYAKING & CANOEING
There are quite a number of friendly, recreational canoe clubs based in Derby. They welcome paddlers of All Ages and All Abilities including novices. They have a range of Canoes, Kayaks and other equipment for their members to use. They also have qualified coaches who run a variety of courses throughout the year.

Spectacularly lovely countryside, fascinating industrial heritage, stately homes, top family attractions and huge variety of exciting leisure activities – discover all this and more when you stay at one of the holiday parks in Derbyshire. For many, the Peak District in the north of the county is the greatest draw, but you’ll find other wonderful attractions within easy reach of the holiday parks. Derbyshire’s lovely landscape is the setting for some of England’s finest historic buildings – magnificent Chatsworth House and Gardens, evocative Calke Abbey and the Robert Adam interiors at Kedleston Hall are all ‘must sees’ as is the site of Britain’s first factory, still home to Royal Crown Derby Porcelain. The famous racetrack and museum at Castle Donnington are also firm favourites with many visitors who enjoy caravan holidays in Derbyshire.

If you’re more of a water fun lover then enjoy the day in Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park. The park's attractions include a zero-depth pool at the center with a themed, interactive, multi-level water play structure with slides, sprayers, fountains, and topped with a giant tipping water bucket. Nearby the park's large lap pool offers lanes for lap swimming, diving boards, a water climbing wall and two drop slides. At the opposite end of the park is relaxing lazy river you can float on and for thrill-seekers, the park has four exciting waterslides, including a speed slide, flume ride and two tube slides.

Head to the city of Derby for excellent shopping and the macabre thrill of a tour of the old dungeons at Derby Gaol, and at Chesterfield, a town famous for its crooked spire, you’ll find a truly superb flea market – well worth a visit.

Golf Clubs

Derbyshire is known as the 'Gateway to the Peak District' and there are few golf courses in the region that allow you to choose the best golf course for you to play.
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Quad Bike Tours

The Quad bikes are easy to ride and our guide riders will astonish you with the maneuvers you can accomplish and obstacles you can conquer.

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Kayaking & Canoeing

There are quite a number of friendly, recreational canoe clubs based in Derby. They welcome paddlers of all ages and all abilities including novices. They have a range of Canoes, Kayaks and other equipment...
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Kids & Family Activities

Finding great days out for toddlers and older children alike can be a tricky task - the theme parks in Derby are specially designed for families with children with wide range of rides and attractions.

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Kids Sports Clubs

Sometimes we all need to let off steam and sport is the best way to do it - for energetic youngsters anyway! Take a look to see what clubs and classes for kids are available in Derby area.
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Zoo and Animal farms

Get up close and personal with your favourite species at Derby's Animal farms and Wildlife Parks. Get the inside track on your favourite penguins and lemurs or hang out with the meerkats...!

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Horse Riding

Experience horse treks through some of the most beautiful Derbyshire Countryside including Poulter Country Park, Scarcliffe Park Woods, and the quaint villages of Whaley and Elmton.

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Gyms & Fitness Clubs

Derby gyms are a great place to help you to achieve your fitness and wellbeing goals, whatever your age or fitness level. .

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Yoga Classes

Yoga originates from the Sanskrit Yuj or to Yoke meaning Union. Yoga is union of the mind, body and spirit, it is much more than postural alignment and breathing.
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Zumba Classes

Zumba is a high-energy dance fitness workout choreographed from a selection of Latin and international music tracks where aerobic, resistance and interval training are combined.

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Walk Tours

Learn about the city's heritage in the rail industry with a tour and walk around the iconic Roundhouse on Pride Park. Starting from The Bell, explore Derby's haunted and gory past on the Cathedral Quarter Ghost Walk
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