DISCOVER

DERBY

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DERBY HERITAGE WALK 1

WALK REVIEW

This walk takes in some of the city's oldest buildings including St Mary's Bridge and the Dolphin Inn. Derby's oldest surviving pub, first licensed in 1530, it is a fine example of a timber-framed building. The Old Silk Mill employed about 300 people and established Derby as the first industrial town in the country. Disaster struck in 1910, when the factory was largely burnt down, but it was rebuilt and today serves as Derby’s Museum of Industry and History. Now part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, it is well worth a visit.

On average the walk will probably take about one hour, but times are likely to vary considerably particularly if one or both of the two museums described in this walk are visited. Derby Cathedral and Bridge Chapel (restricted opening) are both well worth a visit. Refreshments may be obtained at the award winning Cathedral Coffee Shop, or at one of the many public houses you pass on the way.

WALK MAP

WALK INSTRUCTIONS

I.  The walk sets off from outside the Tourist Information Centre, and crosses the north side of the Market Place, where markets were probably first held about 900 years ago.

II. Leave the Market Place and turn right up Iron Gate where an ancient trackway, which can still be seen to bisect the city once ran. The road was widened in 1866, when the buildings on the right hand side, as you look up the street were demolished.

III. There are a number of interesting buildings on the level stretch at the top of Iron Gate. This is one of the prettiest parts of Derby, so take your time. Continue on the right hand side of the road as far as the corner of the Dolphin Inn.

IV.   Go over the pedestrian crossing and turn right down Full Street, crossing the road by the side of the Old Silk Mill Public House and then walking down to Derby’s Museum of History and Industry.

V.   Go round the back of the museum and along the footpath by the road, which takes you under the Inner Ring Road; turn right on to St Mary’s Bridge.

VI.   Cross the road and walk along Duke Street, before turning left to climb gently up to Handyside Street. At the top of the street, turn right and then first left and on reaching King Street, turn left and within a few yards cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.

VII.   Turn right and walk down St Helen’s Street.

VIII.   Continue along the footpath by the Inner Ring Road for a few yards and then go to the right to walk alongside the Markeaton Brook, turning left at the end and then right into Mill Street, past St John’s Church.

At the end of Mill Street, turn left along Brick Street. Use the pedestrian crossings to reach the other side of Friar Gate and go to the right for a few yards. Then walk a short distance up Uttoxeter Old Road and take the first turn on your left.

IX.   Walk down Vernon Street and go to the right along Friar Gate with its collection of fine Georgian houses.

X. Continue under Friar Gate Bridge and down Friar Gate to the Wardwick and turn left along Cheapside. Follow the road round into Bold Lane, crossing where it is safe to do so, and make your way to St Mary’s Gate, once very much the legal quarter of Derby, and still the home of a number of long established legal practices.

XI.  Once you reach the top of St Mary’s Gate, if you still have the time why not visit the Cathedral Visitor Centre and Café, which is on the southern corner of the street before walking down Iron Gate to the Market Place and the starting point of this walk.

KEY TO POINTS OF INTEREST

To obtain further information about a point of interest, click the appropriate page number, or to take the full tour go to page one and follow the instructions.

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