The Midlands get overlooked a lot, but there’s no denying that the central location in the Midlands gives you plenty of awesome options for day trips from Derby and days out near Derby to enjoy the surrounding area.
As someone who’s lived fairly close to Derby throughout my life, and enjoyed everything from days out in Derby proper, to day trips from Derbyshire to the surrounding counties, there’s a lot to do within a day’s driving distance or on coach trips from Derby.
So to help you plan your days out in Derbyshire and beyond, this list of places of interest near Derby can all be visited on a day trip from Derby, all of them are around a 1.5 hour drive from Derby or less, so you can really make the most of your day out!
This guide is listed in order of price, starting with the free things to do near Derby or that days out that only have a parking fee. Then a list of activities costing£10 or under, then £15 or under, then £15 or more.
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Free things to do on day trips from Derby (or things that only have a parking fee)
Biddulph Grange Country Park and Garden
Time from Derby: 1 hour
Direction from Derby: West
Cost: FREE
Entry to the Gardens = Adult £8, Child £4, National Trust members are free
If you’re looking for unique day trips near Derby, this hidden gem country park in Staffordshire is a great spot!
Located close to Congleton, the country park area is a huge area of lush greenery, walking paths, ponds, meadows and a cafe. You can get a license from the cafe to fish in the ponds.
The park is a great area for a spring or summer stroll with friends or family, bring a picnic and games and enjoy the sunshine.
Right next to the country park is the National Trust owned Biddulph Grange Gardens. The gardens are fascinating with a theme in each area, one with a Japanese-style koi pond and pagoda, a Himalayan Glen, an Egyption tomb, a Victorian garden and more.
Click here for details.
Peak District Mam Tor and Winnats Pass
Time from Derby: 1 hour 10 minutes
Direction from Derby: Northwest
Cost: FREE
With spectacular views of the Peak District, a walk up Mam Tor and a drive through Winnats Pass is a great option for a free day trip from Derby by car.
Park in Mam Nick Car Park for Mam Tor and the walk is fairly easy, taking around 1-2 hours and is mostly suitable for families and children too.
Take a picnic to the top and enjoy the views across the Hope Valley.
Continue your day trip with a short drive from Mam Tor to Castleton which will take you through Winnats Pass, a stunning winding road with dramatic limestone cliffs either side.
You can also climb up Winnats Pass if you have extra time and want to see more incredible views!
Make sure you’re wearing suitable footwear, especially if the weather is wet.
Elvaston Castle Country Park
Time from Derby: 15 minutes
Direction from Derby: Southeast
Cost: FREE + £1.60 parking for 2 hours / £4.80 all day
A personal favourite for Derbyshire days out is the Elvaston Castle Country Park. If you’re looking for days out in Derby close to the city, it doesn’t get much closer than this
This is also a great option for bus day trips from Derby as the i4 and Indigo routes will take you along the A6005 and it’s just a short 20 minute walk down Victoria Avenue to reach the country park.
The park consists of 321 acres to parkland to explore and a gothic mansion – Elvaston Castle, which sits in the centre of the park, designed by James Wyatt in the 19th century.
The house isn’t open to the public but you can walk around it, admire it and its formal gardens from the outside and enjoy the miles of parkland, walking trails and cycle routes in the park.
Take a picnic, explore the grounds and the beautiful house – perfect for a family day out from Derby.
Dovedale Walk and Stepping Stones
Time from Derby: 40 minutes
Direction from Derby: Northwest
Cost: FREE + £3 parking
This Peak District day out from Derby is popular for a reason – it’s a fairly easy walk following the River Dove, it’s cheap and means lots of fresh air for you and the family!
Park at Dovedale car park and it’s a fairly short walk to reach the Dovedale Stepping Stones. The stepping stones are great fun for adults and children alike (and dogs too!)
The full Dovedale route is around eight miles up to Milldale and back again. Or you can just turn around and follow the same path back whenever you’re ready!
Rufford Abbey and Rufford Country Park
Time from Derby: 45 minutes
Direction from Derby: Northeast
Cost: FREE + parking charge
If you’re looking for free days out in the East Midlands, Rufford Abbey and Rufford Country Park is another great option, offering parkland, history, abbey ruins, a historic mansion, miles of trails and more, for the price of your parking fee!
The 12th Century Cistercian abbey ruins are a focal point and are pretty cool to see for adults and kids, but the whole Rufford Country Park is perfect for walks, picnics and slow afternoons with family, friends and children.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Time from Derby: 20 minutes
Direction from Derby: East
Cost: parking is £3 for 2 hours / £5 all day
For nearby days out Derby has to offer, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park in the neighbouring city of Nottingham is a great option.
Famous for its appearance in the Batman: The Dark Knight Rises film, this is a great spot not just for Batman fans but also for couples, families and friends to enjoy on a day out from Derby.
VIsit the free National History museum inside the hall or just admire it from the outside. Check out the events happening in the park, they usually host fairs, music events, Christmas markets, outdoor cinema and more. Find the details here.
The grounds are free to walk around and enjoy, spot the deer roaming freely, see the wildlife around the ponds or enjoy cycling on the paths through the park.
Newstead Abbey
Time from Derby: 35 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: £6 parking, free access to gardens
A popular spot for many residents in the East Midlands, Newstead Abbey is over 800 years old and is famous as the home of the poet, Lord Byron.
There is a parking fee and exploring the gardens and 300 acres of parkland is free with the parking charge. If you do want to visit inside the monastic abbey, tickets are £10 per adult for a historic house tour, £6 per child.
You’’’ also find a maze, Japanese gardens, formal gardens, a lake and a waterfall in the grounds.
There’s events held here too such as Christmas Fairs, open air theatre or exhibitions. Find out more here.
Foxton Locks
Time from Derby: 1 hour
Direction from Derby: South
Cost: FREE +parking cost
Foxton Locks is a great option for a unique day out from Derby!
The locks at Foxton consist of a series of five locks on the Grand Union canal in Leicestershire. It’s the largest lock staircase in the UK canal system.
There’s parking at the top and bottom, both are pay and display, then you can stroll along the towpath to see the lock staircase.
You’re very likely to see a canal boat or houseboat using the locks during the summer or good weather which is fascinating to see. Over 4000 boats use the locks every year at Foxton!
You’ll also find the Canal Museum, a cafe and a pub by the locks to sit outside if the weather’s good.
Nearby Market Harborough is also a charming market town to visit and extend your day trip a little more.
Birmingham
Time from Derby: 1 hour
Direction from Derby: South
Cost: FREE + activity costs (or cost of train tickets)
Day trips from Derby by train are easiest when travelling to nearby cities, making Birmingham a great option for a day out using public transport. Trains from Derby to Birmingham take around 40 minutes.
If you do choose to drive, using a park and ride is the best option to avoid parking in the city centre.
With plenty of shops and restaurants, pubs, family activities and interesting areas of the city to explore, you can make this day your own whether you’re on a girls trip or a family outing.
The Gas Street area along the canal is great for bars and pubs, especially in the summer where you can sit out by the water.
The Bullring shopping centre is great for a shopping trip and you’ll also find vintage stores in the Digbeth area not too far away.
The city is also home to the National SeaLife Centre and Legoland Discovery Centre which are great day trips from Derby with kids as these aren’t attractions Derby has on offer.
Bradgate Park
Time from Derby: 40 minutes
Direction from Derby: Southeast
Cost: FREE +parking charge
Located on the outskirts of Leicester, just 40 minutes from Derby, Bradgate Park is a beautiful area of parkland that’s run by a charity, so not only is this budget friendly, but the parking charge is directly supporting the charity efforts in the park.
Not only is the 830 acres of parkland amazing to visit, but the park is also home to deer and peacocks you can see roaming the park. Bradgate Park became an enclosed deer park over 800 years ago.
The dramatic craggy hills and huge space makes it hard to believe that this is just a short drive from the nearest city of Leicestershire!
Most paths are even and level, great for pushchairs or wheelchairs and on your walks, you can see the ruins of Bradgate Hall and St John’s Tower.
Find the walking routes here.
Rutland Water
Time from Derby: 1 hour 15 minutes
Direction from Derby: East
Cost: FREE + parking fee
A visit to the UK’s smallest county of Rutland is a great option all-year-round for day trips from Derby.
There’s easily enough to do at Rutland Water for a full day or longer if you want to explore the best that the county has to offer too.
If you’re looking for beaches near Derby, this is likely your closes one too without driving all the way to the coast!
Rutland Water Beach has 140m of sandy beach area where you can enjoy the sun, swim in the lake, picnic, play in the sand, play games in and out of the water (there’s a lifeguard on duty) and there’s loads of water sport activities to try out from beginner to advanced level, such as windsurfing and paddleboarding.
Rutland Water and Nature Reserve also has plenty of walking trails, cycling trails and an Aquapark! So bring your bikes if you want to explore further afield. Plus there’s also children’s play areas, an outdoor gym, a visitors centre and two cafes!
The popular walking or cycling route around the lake to Normanton Church is a romantic stroll with the church idyllically on the lake shore. It’s also a popular route for nature, landscape and wildlife photographers.
Check the website for details on which car park to use, activities available and opening times.
Lincoln
Time from Derby: 1 hour 20 minutes
Direction from Derby: Northeast
Cost: FREE + parking fee
A great option for a city day trip from Derby, Lincoln is an underrated city to visit in the Midlands.
The Cathedral Quarter is full of beautiful architecture and historic buildings. You can visit the Gothic Cathedral or explore the Castle grounds for free.
Entry to the museum in the Castle or to walk along the city walls is a small fee.
You’ll also find plenty of high street stores, cafes, antique stores, local independent pubs and cafes all over the city which is very walkable.
Lincoln is also a great option for day trips from Derby by train.
Warwick
Time from Derby: 1 hour 10 minutes
Direction from Derby: South
Cost: FREE + parking and optional activities
Warwick is another easy city day trip from Derby by car or train.
Although Warwick Castle is the main attraction in Warwick, it is pretty pricey to visit, especially for a full family ticket.
But there’s still plenty to see and do on a day trip to Warwick including exploring the beautiful architecture in the city and seeing the old timber frame buildings, there’s museums and attractions including the Lord Leycester Hospital. Also check out the Mill Garden for lovely walks along the river and a view of the castle.
Dough & Brew is a great stop for food and drinks during your trip.
You could also add on a short drive to Chesterton Windmill which is just 10 minutes from Warwick and offers stunning panoramic views of the countryside, especially at sunset!
Sherwood Forest
Time from Derby: 50 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: FREE +£4 parking fee
Days out from Derbyshire into neighbouring Nottinghamshire are an easy journey and the huge area of Sherwood Forest, famous as the home to Robin Hood and his Merry Men is the perfect day out because it’s such a huge area to visit.
The 375 hectares of the Sherwood Forest are home to over 1000 ancient oak trees, which is the biggest concentration of oak trees in Europe. Many trees over 500 years old, with the Major Oak believed to be over 1000!
The newly renovated Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre has interactive displays, information and activities for children with history and information for adults too. There’s also shops and cafe on site as well as the centre playing host to events all year round – especially during the summer months when there’s the Robin Hood festival complete with medieval attire, jousting, archery, sword fighting and more.
The Forest area is great for walking, cycling, jogging, wildlife watching, picnicking and playing games with family and friends – very easy to keep it budget friendly.
Learn more here.
Thoresby Park and Hall
Time from Derby: 50 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: FREE + parking
Located north of Mansfield, Thoresby Park and Hall is completely free to visit apart from the small parking fee.
Sadly you can’t go inside the Hall unless you’re a guest at the Hotel Spa, but you can view it from the outside and enjoy the surrounding gardens and parkland.
Plus there’s also shops and cafes in the Courtyard as well as an art gallery and military museum.
Places to visit near Derby that cost £10 or less per person
Hardwick Old Hall
Time from Derby: 35 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: Adult £10, child £5, family £25, National Trust members free.
Hardwick Hall is a real gem in Derbyshire and a great option for a day out or as an additional stop on a Peak District day trip.
The Elizabethan Hall was built by Bess of Hardwick, who was a Derbyshire local and built the first Chatsworth House with her first husband, William Cavendish.
After Cavendish died, Elizabeth remarried three times, each time inheriting large amounts of power and wealth, and she became the most powerful woman in England after the Queen.
After four marriages she moved back to her childhood home of Hardwick Hall and started to build the New Hardwick Hall right next door.
You can visit the house and gardens as well as explore the extensive parkland, all owned by the National Trust.
The ruins of Old Hardwick Hall sit nextdoor to the property and are owned by English Heritage, you can buy a ticket for both if you’re interested.
Little Moreton Hall
Time from Derby: 1 hour
Direction from Derby: West
Cost: Adult £8, Child £4, Family £20, National Trust members free
This stunningly preserved Tudor Hall is definitely one of the lesser known National Trust properties.
Located near to Congleton and north of Stoke-on-Trent, this is an easy 1 hour day trip from Derby.
This unique timber frame building looks like it’s leaning to one side thanks to the rambling timber architecture You can explore inside, learn from the knowledgable staff, explore the surrounding gardens and moat that surrounds the house and enjoy a tea and cake stop at the onsite cafe.
In the house, you’ll be taken on a guided tour to learn about the house’s history from the Tudor period to today.
Check opening times here.
Renishaw Hall and Gardens
Time from Derby: 40 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: Garden tickets – £8 adult, £3.50 children, £18 family
Guided tour of the hall- £14.50 adults, £8 children
A short drive north of Chesterfield is Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire.
Sadly the only way to visit inside the hall is with a guided tour, but you can just buy garden admission and see the beautiful Italianate gardens and the stunning house from the outside.
There’s even a vineyard onsite which offers tours and tastings in the summer, a great unique day trip for adults from Derby.
More information can be found here.
Clumber Park
Time from Derby: 50 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: £5 adult, £2.50 child, £12.50 family, National Trust members free
For a family day out from Derby, Clumber Park is a great option with 3,800 acres of parkland perfect for an active day out, plus miles of cycling routes, playgrounds, lakes, grassland and woodlands to explore.
The park is also home to the longest avenue of Lime trees in Europe, as well as beautiful walled gardens and the chapel which remain from when the estate was owned by the Duke of Newcastle. The house no longer exists but the gardens and chapel are the last remnants.
There’s also a large courtyard with food options too and views across the lake, or you can bring your own picnic, games and bikes to have an active day out.
Papplewick Pumping Station
Time from Derby: 40 minutes
Direction from Derby: Northeast
Cost: £10 adults, children under 16 are free on steam days, entry is £4 for adults on non-steam days
A day trip around Derbyshire and into Nottinghamshire is the Victorian Waterworks at Papplewick Pumping Station which used to provide water to Nottingham city during the industrial era.
Now the ornate Victorian engineering is preserved and you can see if operational if you visit on steam days. There’s also events throughout the year such as classic car fairs, motorcycle fairs, craft markets or steampunk days. Check their website for details.
Calke Abbey
Time from Derby: 30 minutes
Direction from Derby: South
Cost: Adult £8, child £4, family £20, National Trust members are free
Not everyone loves visiting National Trust properties, but this one is 100% worth seeing because it’s unusual in that it’s completely untouched and unrestored since it was acquired by the National Trust, except for essential safety repairs.
Many stately homes and manors fell into disrepair because families couldn’t afford to maintain them. National Trust then usually acquired and restored these properties to their former glory. However at Calke Abbey, you’re able to get a true picture of the deterioration and decline of these stately home and the powerful families who lost everything.
You can also explore the parkland where there’s also red deer roaming, gorgeous walled gardens, a nature reserve and an orangeary as well as walking routes and a cycling trail.
Things to do in Derbyshire and Derby days out that cost £15 or less per person
National Brewery Centre
Time from Derby: 20 minutes drive
Direction from Derby: South
Cost: Adult £12.95, Children £7.95, Family £32.95
This is a Derbyshire day trip for adults and it’s a must if you’re a beer aficionados!
The Natioinal Brewery Centre is located in Burton upon Trent and and shares the history, methods and development of brewing in England.
You can choose a guided tour or self-guided tour and tickets include parking and a berr tasting token so you can have a beer of your choice at the end of the tour.
The museum has interactive displays, videos and information about the development of brewing, the crucial role than the Bass family played in the industry and how Burton beeame a hub for brewing internationally. During the 19th century, Burton produced a quarter of all beer in the UK.
Find out more and book tickets here.
Chatsworth House
Time from Derby: 55 minutes drive
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: Adult £14, Children £7.50, Family £24
Of course a list of places to visit near Derby wouldn’t be complete without including Chatsworth!
Chatsworth House has been home to the Cavendish family since the 16th century. The stunning stately house can be visited daily to see the art collections, historical artifacts and incredible interior decor and architecture.
But the significant gardens and grounds are also worth exploring, especially during the summer when the fountains are flowing and the gardens are in full bloom. There’s lots of walkling trails, a maze, amazing views of the Peak District hills, a farmshop and often plenty of events such as fairs, markets and exhibitions happening.
Parking is free with your ticket. Details about events can be found here.
Great Central Railway
Time from Derby: 30 minutes
Direction from Derby: Southeast
Cost: Adult £4-£18, child £2-£9, family £30-£40
There’s always something so exciting about steam trains, for adults and children!
So just 30 minutes from Derby is the Great Central Railway in Loughborough where you can see and ride the UK’s only double track steam train.
It’s also the only place in the world where you can see two full size steam trains pass each other like they would have done years ago.
The short train journey consists of three stops along the line. You can purchase short tickers between them, singles, returns or multi-rider tickets.
The Great Central Railway also hosts train driving experiences, 1st class dining experiences and seasonal events at Christmas.
This is one of the most fun and usual Derby day trips because it’s such a fun experience for a family, or a unique romantic day out near Derby.
Bolsover Castle
Time from Derby: 40 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost: Adults £12.60, child £7.60, family £32.80, English Heritage members free
Although this is a small castle, it’s incredibly well-preserved and you can still walk along the fortified walls, see the surrounding ruins, learn about the history of this 11h century castle and go inside to see the ornate decor and artwork on display. You can follow an interactive tour for free on your phone.
The castle is fortified and has amazing views of the Vale of Scarsdale in Derbyshire. Make sure to walk along the fortress walls to enjoy the view of the castle and the valley backdrop beyond.
Things to do on day trips from Derby that cost over £15 per person
Caving in Speedwell Cavern or Peak Cavern in the Peak District
Time from Derby: 1 hour 20 minutes
Direction from Derby: North
Cost:
Speedwell Cavern – Adult £19, Child £15.50, Family £61
Peak Cavern – Adult £15, Child £8
You could include this as a stop on a day trip to Mam Tor or see Winnats Pass, depending on how much time you have as Castleton is just the other side of the Pass and is home to these unique caving activities: Speedwell Cavern and Peak Cavern.
The Peak District is famous for its caves and is home to the largest natural cavern in Britain: Titan Cave.
Take a guided tour through the Peak Cavern also known as the Devil’s Arse! And learn about the old rope making works, or take a boat trip through Speedwell Cavern on an underground boat tour of some of the UK’s most spectacular cave networks.
This is one of the best day trips from Derby, especially for a family day out.
Click here to book.
National Space Centre Leicester
Time from Derby: 45 minutes
Direction from Derby: Southeast
Cost: Adult £15.50, child £12.50, under 5s free
Can you believe that the National Space Centre is just a 45 minute drive from Derby?
This is the perfect family day out from Derby, with loads of interactive and informative exhibitions and activities about space, satellites and space missions, as well as interactive activities and events about space travel, what it’s like to be in space and what life as an astronaut is like.
You can also visit the famous Rocket Tower as well as the UK’s largest domed planetarium which is at the Space Centre.
You can easily spend a whole day here and is a great option for things to do in the East Midlands when it’s raining!
Summary: day trips from Derby and places to visit in Derbyshire and beyond
Hopefully this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for things to do in Derbyshire and the Easy Midlands if you’re looking for days out Derby has to offer.
There really is so much to do and places to visit in Derbyshire and the surrounds, whether you’re looking for family days out, couples day trips or a rainy day activity. This list should provide plenty of ideas for days trips from Derby.
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