How to spend a weekend in Derby

Travelodge Derby

Table of Contents

If you know me then you might be a bit confused right about now. Yes, I did just spend the last weekend in Derby which is only 20 miles away from where I live. However, I feel that sometimes your home towns get overlooked while you’re on the search for something more exotic and Derby is actually pretty cool. A lot of people have never heard of the city but amongst its accolades it has some of the fastest internet speeds anywhere, has the most new start-ups anywhere in the country, and one of the most secure car parks! It’s also got plenty of awesome bars and restaurants, so here’s how you should spend a weekend in Derby…

Pride Park

Derby is home to the greatest football team in the world (ok, so I might be a slightly biased season ticket holder) Derby County. If you’re lucky enough to visit the city on a weekend you can catch the mighty Rams at the Pride Park stadium. When there isn’t a game on, you can also take a stadium tour.

The Intu Centre

If football isn’t your thing, then there’s plenty of other things to do in Derby during the day. The Intu Centre has plenty of shops, a food court and restaurants and a cinema, bowling and mini adventure golf. There’s something here to please everyone so, if you’ve visited Derby as a family you can even split up to try everything out!

The Poppies at Derby Silk Mill

You’ll have to hurry if you want to catch this one as it’s only in Derby until the 23rd July. This poppy sculpture is part of the First World War centenary arts programme and was originally on display at the Tower of London in 2014. I would recommend this to anyone as it’s such a sombering display which really touched me when I saw it in London.

Dinner at Bodega

Dinner at Bodega

We visited Bodega on Sadler Gate a couple of months ago for the opening event and we loved it so much that we couldn’t wait to visit again. Think absolutely delicious homemade South American cuisine and margaritas to die for and you won’t be far wrong. Full review coming soon!

The Brooklyn Social
Artwork at The Brooklyn Social

Bars

Derby’s actually really good for nightlife and I like the relaxed atmosphere of a night out here. There’s also more of an older crowd (I’m taking mid 20s – 30s) than other cities which makes me feel right at home. We tried out The Brooklyn Social in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter which looks and feels, as its name suggests, as if it’s situated in a borough of New York City. We also visited The Palfrey in the Old Blacksmiths Yard, a wine bar and restaurant. It was a warm night so it was really nice to sit outside and soak up the atmosphere.

Travelodge Derby

Where to stay

We were invited to stay at the Travelodge near Derby Cricket Ground and it was perfect for an overnight stay in the city. The bed was super comfy and made for an excellent night’s sleep and it was just a short taxi ride away from the city centre. There’s also a delicious all you can eat breakfast on offer for the morning after – the sausages were amazing! As it’s quite a new hotel, everything seems super modern and clean. There’s also ample parking and a quirky little bottle opener in the room for when you bring your own bottles. My only teeny tiny quibble is that the Wi-Fi isn’t great…first world problems! Otherwise Travelodge is perfect for a budget hotel stay.

Travelodge breakfast
I was invited to review Travelodge and Bodega in Derby but all opinions are my own.

Here’s a short video of my lovely weekend in Derby…

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