Derby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Derby
City and unitary authority
From left to right: Top: Victoria Street Middle: Sadler Gate and the Market Hall Bottom: Council House and All Saints' Cathedral
Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Latin: Industria, Virtus et Fortitudo, lit. 'Energy, Power and Strength'
Shown within Derbyshire
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	England
Region	East Midlands
Ceremonial county	Derbyshire
Settled	600
City status	1977
Unitary authority	1997
Administrative HQ	Council House, Derby
Areas of the city (2011 census BUASD)	List Allenton Allestree Alvaston Alvaston Moor Alvaston Village Boulton Boulton Moor Breadsall Hilltop Cavendish California Chaddesden Chellaston (Village) City Centre Crewton Darley Abbey Derwent Heatherton Village Kingsway Little Chester Litchurch Littleover Mackworth Estate Markeaton Mickleover (Town) New Zealand Normanton Oakwood Osmaston Pear Tree Sinfin Shelton Lock Spondon (Village) Sunny Hill
Government
• Type	Unitary authority with leader and cabinet
• Body	Derby City Council
Area
• Total	30.13 sq mi (78.03 km2)
Area rank	246th
Population  (2005 est.)
• Total	257,302
• Rank	67th
Demonym(s)	Derbeian
Ethnicity (2021)
• Ethnic groups	List 73.8% White 15.6% Asian 4.0% Black 3.7% Mixed 2.9% other
Religion (2021)
• Religion	List 40.2% Christianity 36.6% no religion 11.1% Islam 3.7% Sikhism 1.2% Hinduism 0.3% Buddhism 0.1% Judaism 0.5% other 6.3% not stated
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode area	DE1, 3, 21–24, 73
Dialling code	01332
ISO 3166 code	GB-DER
GSS code	E06000015
ITL code	TLF11
GVA	2021 estimate
• Total	£7.5 billion
• Per capita	£28,627
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	£8.4 billion
• Per capita	£32,025

Derby (ⁱ/ˈdɑːrbi/ DAR-bee) is a city and special area in Derbyshire, England. It sits on the River Derwent. Derbyshire county is actually named after Derby, which used to be its main town. Derby is now managed separately from the rest of Derbyshire. The city is home to about 257,302 people (2020).

Long ago, the Romans built a town here called Derventio. Later, the Anglo-Saxons and then the Vikings took it over. The Vikings called it Djúra-bý, meaning "village of the deer." Derby started as a market town. It grew very fast during the Industrial Revolution. This is when Lombe's Mill, one of Britain's first factories, was built here. Part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site is in Derby.

In the 1800s, railways came to Derby, making it a big center for the British rail industry. Even though it had a cathedral since 1927, Derby officially became a city in 1977. Today, Derby is known for making advanced transport parts. It's where Rolls-Royce makes engines. Alstom (which used to be Bombardier Transportation) also builds trains here. Toyota's UK main office is just outside the city.

History of Derby

Early Times

The Roman camp of Derventio was located at Little Chester/Chester Green. Later, the Vikings took over Derby. They made it one of the "Five Boroughs" (fortified towns) of the Danelaw. In July 917, Lady Æthelflæd of Mercia captured the town. It then became part of the Kingdom of Mercia.

The Viking name Djúra-bý means "village of the deer." The name Derby might also come from the Roman name Derventio or from the River Derwent, which means "valley thick with oaks." So, "Derwent by" could mean 'Derwent settlement'.

Old maps, like one from John Speed in 1610, show the town name as Darbye. Recent studies suggest that Vikings and Anglo-Saxons lived side-by-side in Derby. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (around 900 AD) says that "Derby is divided by water."

16th to 18th Centuries

During the English Civil War (1642–1646), Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet led Parliamentary troops in Derby. They helped defend nearby towns and Derbyshire from the Royalist armies.

Derby was home to England's first public system of piped water in 1692. It used wooden pipes and pumps powered by a waterwheel from the River Derwent. This system was designed by George Sorocold.

Statue of Charles Edward Stuart on Cathedral Green

In 1745, during the Jacobite rising of 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart and his Jacobite Army arrived in Derby. They were on their way to London to try and take over the country. The prince stayed at Exeter House. On December 5, they decided to turn back. This was because they received wrong information about a government army waiting for them south of Derby. The invasion was stopped at Swarkestone Bridge.

Shrovetide football was a traditional game played in Derby every year. It might have started as early as the 1100s. The town was split into two teams, who tried to get the ball from the Market Place to a goal in their own area. This game was very rough and was finally banned in 1846.

Industrial Revolution in Derby

Derby was a key place during Britain's Industrial Revolution. In 1717, John Lombe and George Sorocold built the first water-powered silk mill in Britain here. John Lombe was said to have learned the secrets of silk-throwing from Italy.

In 1759, Jedediah Strutt invented a machine called the Derby Rib Attachment. This machine greatly improved how stockings were made. It worked with another machine to create ribbed stockings.

Later, Richard Arkwright, Samuel Need, and Jedediah Strutt built the world's first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in Cromford, Derbyshire, in 1771. This was a big step for the Industrial Revolution. Jedediah Strutt also built his own cotton mills in Belper and Milford.

Other important people from the 1700s in Derby include the painter Joseph Wright. He was known for his special use of light in paintings. John Whitehurst, a clockmaker and thinker, also lived here. Erasmus Darwin, a doctor and scientist (and grandfather of Charles Darwin), moved to Derby in 1782. He started the Derby Philosophical Society.

By the early 1800s, Derby became a center for engineering. Companies like James Fox exported machine tools to other countries.

In 1840, the North Midland Railway set up its workshops in Derby. When it joined with other railways to form the Midland Railway, Derby became its main office. This railway connection helped other companies grow, like Andrew Handyside and Charles Fox.

Derby was one of the first towns to be reformed by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835. It grew bigger over time, especially in 1968, when its population increased a lot.

Derby Silk Mill is part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site

Even though Derby is far from the sea, it's important in the history of ship safety. Samuel Plimsoll, an MP for Derby, created the "Plimsoll line" to show how much a ship could be safely loaded. This helped make ships safer.

20th Century to Today

Derby's industries grew when Rolls-Royce opened a car and aircraft factory in 1907. In 1923, the Midland Railway became part of a larger company, but Derby stayed a major place for making trains.

In 1911, the Derby Wireless Club was formed. It was the first "wireless club" in the country. This club helped push the limits of radio technology and made it a popular hobby.

During World War I, German Zeppelin airships attacked Derby in 1916, killing five people.

All Saints Church became a cathedral in 1927. This showed that Derby was ready to become a city.

In the 1920s and 1930s, many old houses in central Derby were replaced. Families moved to new council estates in the suburbs. This building of new homes continued for about 30 years after World War II.

Train production continued at the railway works. In 1947, the Locomotive Works showed Britain's first mainline passenger diesel-electric locomotive. By 1958, they only made diesel trains. The Carriage & Wagon Works started building the first Diesel Multiple Units.

In 1964, the British Rail Research Division opened in Derby. It studied railway engineering and helped create faster goods trains and the Advanced Passenger Train.

Derby officially became a city on June 7, 1977. Queen Elizabeth II gave the city its special charter. Before this, Derby was one of the few towns with a cathedral but not city status.

Derby is also important in the history of the Labour movement. In 1900, Richard Bell became one of the first Labour MPs elected in the UK, representing Derby.

Even with its important industries, Derby was not badly damaged in the world wars. This might be because of special jamming and camouflage techniques used to confuse enemy bombers.

Derby has become a big cultural centre for the deaf community in Britain. Many deaf people move here because there's a strong community that uses sign language. It's thought that Derby has three times more deaf people than the national average. The Royal School for the Deaf teaches in British Sign Language and English.

Geography of Derby

Derby is in a flat area near the River Derwent. It's where the hills of the Pennines meet the flatter lands of the River Trent valley. The city is surrounded by different natural areas, including the Trent Valley Washlands and the Derbyshire Peak Fringe.

Derby is about 16 miles (26 km) from Coton in the Elms. This makes it one of the farthest places from the sea in the United Kingdom.

Derby's Urban Area

Derby built-up area, also showing Quarndon

The Derby Built-up Area includes Derby and nearby towns like Borrowash and Duffield. In 2011, this area had a population of 270,468 people. This was a more than 10% increase since 2001. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says this is the 29th largest urban area in the UK.

Green Spaces

Derby has a green belt area to its north and east. This was created in the 1950s to stop the city from growing too close to other towns and villages. It stretches for several miles into Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Derby's Climate

Derby has a mild and wet climate. It rains even during the driest month. This type of climate is called Oceanic. The average yearly temperature is 9.7°C (49.5°F). On average, 694 mm (27.3 inches) of rain falls each year.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Derby was 34.1°C (93.4°F). This happened at Markeaton Park on August 3, 1990.

People of Derby

Population Growth

Derby's population has grown a lot over the years.

Derby's Diverse Community

Derby is a diverse city with people from many different backgrounds.

• In 2021, about 73.8% of people in Derby were White.
• About 15.6% were Asian.
• About 4.0% were Black.
• About 3.7% were of Mixed backgrounds.
• And 2.9% were from other ethnic groups.

Religion in Derby

In 2021, the main religions in Derby were:

• Christianity: 40.2%
• No religion: 36.6%
• Islam: 11.1%
• Sikhism: 3.7%
• Hinduism: 1.2%
• Buddhism: 0.3%
• Judaism: 0.1%
• Other religions: 0.5%
• Not stated: 6.3%

Industry in Derby

Old steam crane, manufactured by "Henry J. Coles", in Derby. Villalba station, Spain.

Derby's two largest employers are Rolls-Royce Holdings and Toyota. Both companies are involved in engineering and manufacturing. Another important company is Alstom, which makes railway rolling stock (trains) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.

For many years, International Combustion was based in Sinfin Lane. They made machinery for industrial furnaces and boilers. Later, they produced steam-generating boilers for power stations.

Derby was also home to Core Design, the company that created the famous video game Tomb Raider. In fact, a part of Derby's inner ring road was named 'Lara Croft Way' after the game's hero.

One of Derby's oldest businesses is Royal Crown Derby. They have been making beautiful porcelain since the 1750s.

Infinity Park Derby is a new business park being planned for aerospace, rail, and car technology companies. It's located next to the Rolls-Royce site.

Derby's Railway History

Because the Midland Railway had its main offices and workshops in Derby, railways greatly influenced the city's growth in the Victorian era.

Even though Derby was a leader in making diesel trains, new production stopped in 1966. The old locomotive works closed, and the land became Pride Park. Only a few buildings from the original works remain.

The Carriage and Wagon Works is now owned by Alstom and still builds trains. The Railway Technical Centre is also home to many railway businesses.

Derby railway station is still a very important part of the railway network. East Midlands Railway and Network Rail maintain trains here. In 2023, it was announced that Derby would be the main office for Great British Railways.

Derby is also home to the Derby Railway Engineering Society, which helps promote railway engineering.

Landmarks in Derby

Derby Cathedral has a tall tower, 212 feet (65 meters) high. Since 2006, a pair of peregrine falcons have nested there, and you can watch them on webcams!

Derby Gaol is a visitor attraction. It's located in the old dungeons of the Derbyshire County Gaol, which was built in 1756.

Derby Museum of Making is in the Derby Silk Mill. It shows Derby's industrial past and technological achievements, like Rolls-Royce aero engines and railway history. The Silk Mill is part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. In 2022, the Museum of Making was nominated for a big award.

Pickford's House Museum

Pickford's House Museum was built by architect Joseph Pickford in 1770. It was his home and office. The Derby Museum and Art Gallery has paintings by Joseph Wright, beautiful Royal Crown Derby porcelain, and exhibits on natural history and local history.

In 1968, the city's inner ring road was built. This changed the city center a lot. It meant that St Alkmund's Church and its old churchyard had to be taken down. Many people still think this was a bad decision.

Fun Places to Visit

Derby Guildhall, a historic building now used as a theatre.

• Cathedral Quarter: A historic area with shops and cafes.
• Derbion shopping centre: A large indoor shopping mall.
• Derby Arboretum: The first planned public park in the country, opened in 1840.
• Derby Arena: A sports venue with a velodrome for cycling.
• Derby Cathedral: A beautiful historic church.
• Derby Museum and Art Gallery: See art, history, and local crafts.
• Museum of Making (at Derby Silk Mill): Learn about Derby's industrial past.
• Pickford's House Museum: Explore an 18th-century architect's home.
• Pride Park Stadium: Home of Derby County F.C..
• Royal Crown Derby Museum: See beautiful porcelain and learn how it's made.

Getting Around Derby

Trains

Derby railway station

Derby is a major railway hub in the UK. Derby railway station has services from two train companies:

• East Midlands Railway: Trains go to London St Pancras, Leicester, Sheffield, and other local places.
• CrossCountry: Trains connect Derby to Nottingham, Birmingham New Street, Cardiff, and even places in Scotland and the South West.

There are also smaller local stations at Peartree and Spondon.

Buses and Coaches

Derby bus station is the main place for local buses. Companies like Trent Barton and Arriva Derby run routes to places like Belper, Nottingham, Chesterfield, and Leicester.

You can also catch National Express coaches from Derby to bigger cities like Birmingham, London, and Gatwick Airport.

Roads

Mercian Way, a part of Derby's inner ring road.

The M1 motorway is about 10 miles (16 km) east of Derby. It connects the city to London in the south and Sheffield and Leeds in the north. Other important roads include the A6, A38, A50, A52 (which links Derby to Nottingham), and A61.

In 2011, the final part of Derby's inner ring road, Mercian Way, was opened.

Air Travel

East Midlands Airport is about 15 miles (24 km) from Derby city center. It offers flights to places in the UK and Europe with airlines like Ryanair and Jet2. The airport used to be called "Nottingham East Midlands Airport" for a short time, which caused some debate because it's close to Derby and in Leicestershire.

Derby Airfield, south-west of the city, is used for smaller planes.

Community and Culture

Derby was considered for the title of UK City of Culture 2025. Locals sometimes call Derby "Derbados," a fun mix of Derby and Barbados.

Music Scene

Derby has a lively music scene.

• The indie pop band White Town, known for their No. 1 hit "Your Woman" (1997), is from Derby.
• Duncan Lloyd, a founding member of the band Maxïmo Park, is from Derby.
• Pop singer Kelli Young from Liberty X is from Derby.
• Lucy Ward, a folk singer-songwriter, is from Derby.
• The blues singer-songwriter Kevin Coyne and rock bands like LostAlone and The Struts are also from Derby.
• Sinfonia Viva is a chamber orchestra based in Derby.
• The city hosts the annual Derby Folk Festival.

Theatre and Arts

Derby has a rich history of theatre.

• Derby Theatre (formerly Derby Playhouse) offers a variety of performances.
• QUAD is a center for art and film. It has cinemas, art galleries, and digital studios. QUAD also organizes the annual Derby Film Festival and the FORMAT international photography festival.
• The Robert Ludlam Theatre, at Saint Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College, is another venue for shows.
• The theatre company Oddsocks is based in Derby and performs locally and nationally.
• Déda is a special place for dance and aerial arts in the East Midlands.
• The Derby Book Festival takes place every year, with events across the city.
• Derby Festé is an annual street arts festival.
• Famous actors like Jack O'Connell and Alan Bates are from Derby.

Museums to Explore

Derby has several interesting museums:

• Derby Museum and Art Gallery
• Museum of Making (inside the historic Derby Silk Mill)
• Derby Computer Museum
• Pickford's House Museum

Recreation and Parks

The restored Grove Street Lodge and "Grand Entrance" at the northern end of the Arboretum

Derby Arboretum was the first planned public park in the country, given to the town by Joseph Strutt in 1840. It has been renovated and is said to have inspired Central Park in New York.

Markeaton Park is Derby's most popular park. Other large parks include Allestree Park, Darley Park, and Alvaston Park. Derby is known for having a lot of parkland per person.

In 2021, Derby City Council approved plans for the UK's first large-scale urban rewilding project in Allestree Park.

Sports in Derby

Pride Park Stadium

Derby is well-known in the world of sports.

• Derby County F.C. is the city's main football team. They won the English league title in 1972 and 1975. The club moved from its old Baseball Ground to the new Pride Park Stadium in 1997.
• There are also other local football clubs like Mickleover Sports.
• Derbyshire County Cricket Club plays most of its home matches at the County Ground in Derby. They won the County Championship once in 1936.
• Derby has clubs for both types of rugby: Derby RFC for rugby union and Derby City RLFC for rugby league.
• The city's basketball team, Derby Trailblazers, plays in the English Basketball League Division One.
• Team Derby, based at Derby Arena, won the first National Badminton League title in 2014–15. The Arena also has a velodrome for cycling.
• Professional golfer Melissa Reid was born in Derby in 1987.
• Arthur Keily, an marathon runner and Olympian, was born in Derbyshire and lived in Derby.

Shopping and Nightlife

Ye Olde Dolphin Inne

Shopping in central Derby is split into three main areas: the Cathedral Quarter, the St Peters Quarter, and the Derbion shopping center.

• The Cathedral Quarter has many unique shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. It's around the cathedral and historic streets like Irongate and Sadler Gate.
• The St Peters Quarter also has a variety of shops, including many independent businesses.
• Derbion is the city's main indoor shopping center. It opened in 2007 and has many stores, a food court, and a 12-screen cinema.

The Friar Gate area has clubs and bars, making it a popular spot for nightlife. Derby is also known for its many traditional pubs. The oldest pub is the Grade II listed Ye Olde Dolphin Inne, which dates back to the late 1500s.

Outside the city center, there are retail parks like Kingsway Retail Park, Wyvern Retail Park, and the Meteor Centre.

Education in Derby

Derby has a non-selective education system. This means students go to primary school (infant and junior) and then to a secondary school. Many secondary schools have sixth forms where students can study for A Levels.

Derby College is a large college that offers courses for school leavers, apprenticeships, and training for businesses. It has two main campuses: the Joseph Wright Centre for A Levels and the historic Derby Roundhouse for vocational training.

There are 15 state secondary schools in Derby, including Chellaston Academy and Littleover Community School.

Derby also has three independent (fee-paying) schools: Derby Grammar School (now co-educational), and Derby High School (also now fully co-educational).

For students with special needs, there are schools like Ivy House School and the Light House.

The University of Derby has its main campus on Kedleston Road. The University of Nottingham also has a medical school and nursing school at Royal Derby Hospital.

Media in Derby

The Derby Telegraph is the city's daily newspaper.

BBC Radio Derby is the local BBC radio station for Derbyshire. It broadcasts local, national, and international news, music, and sports. You can listen on 104.5 FM and 1116 AM.

Local TV news is provided by BBC East Midlands and ITV Central.

Capital Midlands (formerly Ram FM) is the biggest commercial radio station in Derby. It plays popular chart music for younger listeners on 102.8 FM.

Notable People from Derby

Derby has been home to many famous people in different fields:

Arts, Literature, and Music

• Samuel Richardson (1689–1761): Writer and printer.
• Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797): Famous painter known for his use of light.
• Ronald Binge (1910–1979): Composer of light music.
• John Dexter (1925–1990): Theatre and film director.
• Kevin Coyne (1944–2004): Musician and writer.
• Peter Hammill (born 1948): Singer-songwriter, founder of Van der Graaf Generator.
• Jyoti Mishra (born 1966): The person behind the band White Town.
• Graham Coxon (born 1969): Musician and co-founder of the band Blur.
• Lucy Ward (born 1989): Folk musician.
• Kelli Young (born 1982): Singer from the pop group Liberty X.

Films, Theatre, TV, and Radio

• Ted Moult (1926–1986): Farmer and TV personality.
• Alan Bates (1934–2003): Famous actor.
• Gwen Taylor (born 1939): Actress.
• Judith Hann (born 1942): Presented BBC's Tomorrow's World.
• Richard Felix (born 1949): Paranormal investigator.
• Jack O'Connell (born 1990): Bafta-winning actor.
• Lauren Socha (born 1990): Actress, known for Misfits.
• Munya Chawawa (born 1993): British-Zimbabwean comedian.
• Ewan Mitchell: Actor, known for The Last Kingdom and House of the Dragon.

Academics, Science, Business, and Engineering

• John Flamsteed (1646–1719): The first Astronomer Royal.
• George Sorocold (c. 1668 – c. 1738): Engineer who designed Lombe's Mill.
• John Whitehurst (1713–1788): Clockmaker and scientist.
• Jedediah Strutt (1726–1797): Improved stocking manufacturing.
• Erasmus Darwin (1731–1802): Physician and philosopher.
• Henry Cavendish (1731–1810): Scientist who discovered hydrogen.
• Joseph Pickford (1734-1782): Architect.
• Sir Henry Royce (1863–1933): Co-founder of Rolls-Royce.
• Melvyn Morris (born c. 1957): Businessman, former owner of Derby County F.C., made money from Candy Crush Saga.
• Christopher Jackson (born 1977): Geologist and broadcaster.

Sports

• Steve Bloomer (1874–1938): Famous footballer for Derby County.
• Reg Parnell (1911–1964): Racing driver.
• Louis Martin (1936–2015): Olympic silver medallist in weightlifting.
• Sir Dave Brailsford (born 1964): Cycling administrator.
• Melissa Reid (born 1987): Professional golfer.
• Jonathan Joseph (born 1991): England international rugby player.
• Sandy Ryan (born 1993): Professional boxer.
• Sarah Vasey (born 1996): Swimmer, Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

International Friends

Osnabrück Partnership

Derby is twinned with Osnabrück in Germany. This partnership started on February 17, 1976.

Each year, Derby and Osnabrück send an "envoy" to live in the twin city for 12 months. The envoy helps share ideas between the cities and teaches people about the twinning program. They give talks, help find pen friends, and plan trips.

There are also student exchanges between schools in Derby and Osnabrück.

Other Friendship Links

Derby also has friendship links with other cities around the world:

• Kapurthala, India
• Haarlem, Netherlands
• Foncquevillers, France
• Toyota City, Japan
• Changzhi, People's Republic of China
• Keene, New Hampshire, USA (student exchange)
• Hebron, Palestine (since 2014)

Freedom of the City

The "Freedom of the City" is a special honor given to people or military groups. Here are some who have received it in Derby:

Individuals

• Brian Howard Clough: 3 May 2003.
• Adam George Peaty: 9 October 2016.
• Reginald Frederick Harrison: 5 February 2019.
• Sandy Ryan: 25 March 2024.
• Stephen "Steve" Kirk: 15 April 2024.

Military Units

• The Royal Naval Submarine Service: 28 April 2002.
• The Mercian Regiment: 2007.

Images for kids

• 

  The tower of Derby Cathedral.

• 

  View of Derby Cathedral's facing clock tower

See also

In Spanish: Derby para niños