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The cathedral city of Derby sits roughly half-way, as the bird flies, between England's south coast and its northern border with Scotland. Appropriately Derby is located in the Midlands of England, 14mls/22km south of the glories of the Peak National Park. A settled community from before the arrival of the Normans a thousand years ago, a thousand years before that it was a staging post for the occupying Roman military forces. But it was the Danes who have left the most lasting impression: its name. Derby derives from the Danish "deoraby" which means 'the place of the deer'. That was, of course, from the days when large swathes of the country were treated as hunting territory, and deer was considered a choice target for the hunters. Places like Derby and its near neighbour Nottingham were early players in the Industrial Revolution. Silk weaving and porcelain manufacture made their appearance in the early 1700s and today the city's finest examples of 18th century houses date from that period. Today you can buy china at the Royal Crown Derby factory shop and even tour the plant ? but only by prior appointment. Derby Art Gallery is the place to catch up with Joseph Wright (otherwise Wright of Derby), again from the 18th century, who went on to be listed with the international greats. Visit Brochurelink for a free 2006 guide to Derby.
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| Visitor information |
Contact information for Derby's official visitor services. |
| Travel details |
Services provided by local and national transport companies. |
| Accommodation |
Where to stay in Derby including visitor ratings and feedback. |
| The Derby story |
Feature stories on Derby and the surrounding area. |
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