Derby County are playing away on 16th October which means there will be no traffic problems near the Conference Centre.
The nearest leisure facility is Wilmorton Park, which is across the road from the Centre. It connects to a vast network of green spaces reaching into and beyond Derby City in one direction and out towards Elvaston Castle in the other, connected by the National Cycling routes 6 and 66. Elvaston Castle grounds are open, with pay and display parking.
The main attractions in Derby City Centre are within easy reach of Derby City Bus Station which is connected to the Conference Centre and the Railway Station by the Skylink Airport Bus, 1 and 1A buses.
The Silk Mill Museum of Making, a newly re-opened Industrial Museum which includes a large O gauge model of the Midland Railway.
The City Museum and Art Gallery houses the amazing collection of Joseph Wright of Derby paintings and Crown Derby among many other displays. It is close to Derby Cathedral, The Silk Mill and the main shopping area.
The Quad, a centre for contemporary cultural activity. The main exhibition will be
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley’s Haunting Alongside Our Shadows will be on display at QUAD from September 2021. Danielle’s work is based in historical happenings, creating video-game inspired artworks that form part of her Black Trans archive to, as the artist states, “record the lives of Black Trans People in the present to imagine our existence in the past through immersive storytelling.”
Derby City was once nominated by the Lonely Planet website as the best place in the country for real ale. That is debatable but there are some wonderful pubs including The Brunswick and The Alexandra near the railway station, The Smithfield, The Brewery Tap, The Exeter Arms, The Flowerpot and many more.
There is a branch of London Camera Exchange.
Winter's historic photography studio is near the railway station but is not taking visitors due to building work.
Two National Trust properties are within a few miles of Derby, Calke Abbey and Kedleston Hall. According to current information both will be open on October 16th.
There are four preserved railway sites within striking distance of Derby, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Midland Railway at Butterley and the two Great Central Railway sites at Ruddington and Loughborough.
There is a new motor museum at Ambergate devoted to British cars from the Austin 7 onwards.
Nottingham Castle, newly renamed The Ducal Palace, has also just reopened after a major refurbishment and is worth a visit. There is a new display of Paul Smith the couturier, with a display of artworks and photographs he has collected and a case of his Leica cameras. Nottingham also has Nottingham Contemporary and more shopping opportunities than Derby (ie it has a John Lewis).
Nottingham is easily reached on the very frequent Red Arrow service (but there is a fare even for cardholders).
There is a string of sites in the World Heritage accredited Derwent Valley Mills, notably Arkwright's site at Cromford. The Demon Barber of Preston struck it very rich indeed.
The Marina at Willington has numerous shopping options, a gallery and a number of modern sculptures.
The National Brewing Museum at Burton on Trent can be reached from Derby by the X38 rapid bus.
Please check details with each individually for details about opening, access and booking.
You can contact me via the Contact Us link