Derby
Dec 24th, 2008 by Peak District Tourist Guide
Derby is known for its place and proximity to beautiful Peak District and gained city status in the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, 1977. The City of Derby lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the County of Derbyshire in the East Midlands area of the UK.
The city has a population of close to a quarter of a million and is the eighteenth largest settlement in England and has existed since Roman times. People who are native to the city are generally known as Derbians.
Recent research tends to suggest that around the 10th Century the Saxons and Vikings coextisted on two areas of land that were separated by water and The Anglo Saxon Chronicle describes the city as divided by water. The two areas were known as the North Enclosure and the Irongate – the latter still being part of the City centre.
During the English Civil War the city was garrisoned by parliamentary troops and 1643 Sir John Gail was appointed the governor of Derby and in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie set up camp there on his way south in an attempt to seize the crown. A replica of the room in which he stayed is on display in the city’s central library.
The attempted invasion was abandoned on the banks of the river Trent just a few miles south of the city and not far from the historical city of Nottingham. If you visit at the start of December then you may see the Charles Edward Stuart Society parade through the city centre to a battle that culminates on the Cathedral Green.
The Peak District is beautiful and far removed from the hive of industrial activity that the city became with its general engineering works and the establishment of the famous Rolls Royce company – makers of the feted cars and of aeroplanes. The city centre is only a few miles from the beautiful rolling hills that make up the shire and there is plenty of Peak District accommodation most of the year round. Visitors can stay at guesthouses or at some of the farms in the area and take a bus into the city.
In May, at some of the districts in and around the city the ancient rite of well dressing can still be seen. There is plenty to see and enjoy for visitors to Derbyshire and one of the must sees is the Tram museum in Crich where visitors can not only view these old, restored vehicles, but can ride in them. Another site that visitors should see is the twisted spire of the Cathedral in Chesterfield which is about seventeen miles north of the city.
Nowadays the Peak district is great place for people to come and stay and see the rough stone walls and the stone buildings. If you come to Derbyshire and you are driving then you should take care around the peaks as sheep and cows can often be seen crossing the roads from one grazing field to another. There are lots of walks around the area where visitors can join a group or go by themselves. People also like to climb some of the hills and small mountains that are part and parcel of the charm of the peaks of Derbyshire.
