Visit the Centre of It All: A 90-Minute Cultural Short Break from London to Derby and the Peak District & Derbyshire

Get to the centre of a cultural adventure in Derby and the Peak District all in just 90 minutes from London. There are so many cultural adventures waiting for you to discover and the best part is you can do it all through our sustainable travel transport links.

Head to Derby City

Kickstart your adventure from London St Pancras with East Midlands Rail to the city of Derby. Derby, sitting proudly at the dead centre of England, makes a brilliant base for a short break packed with character.

Explore the Museum of Making nestled on the banks of the River Derwent, capturing 300 years of Derby’s history with an old Toyota car hanging high in the atrium, just one piece on display in the contemporary building celebrating the rich history of making and innovation. From Spring 2026 make sure to visit the Wright of Derby ‘Life on Paper’ exhibit and from June 2026 the Wright of Derby: From the Shadows exhibition that is coming home after its time in London at the National Gallery.

Place

Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Silk Mill Lane, Derby

Why not try a spine-tingling ghost walk through the city’s historic streets, where legends and local lore bring the past to life after dark.

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Haunted Derby

Refuel at the stylish Pepperpot restaurant, loved for its relaxed atmosphere and award winning food. For a peaceful night’s sleep, stay at the charming Coach House, perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding countryside. Round off the day with drinks in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site at Darley Abbey, soaking up history in a truly memorable setting.

Place

The Pepperpot

Nightingale Quarter, London Road, Derby

Place

The Coach House Derby

185A Duffield Road, Derby

Head into Derbyshire

After exploring the city hop on to the Derwent Valley line and continue your adventure into the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site by getting off in Cromford and visit Cromford Mills, known as the birthplace for the modern factory system and in more recent pop culture Cromford Railway Station was featured on the Oasis’ single artwork for ‘Some Might Say!’. Loving the Valley views? Make sure to take a stroll along the Cromford Canal with 5 miles of towpath it’s the perfect walk for wildlife lovers.

Baslow is the place to visit.

A short bus ride away is Baslow -here you can visit 2 of the countries nest stately homes. Visit Haddon Hall for their Behind the Scenes Film tour. For all the Jane Eyre fans out there, the Hall and Estate have featured in the screen credits for all three film versions of the novel as well as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to name a few. The Hall and estate itself has over 900 years of history waiting to be uncovered. Then enjoy a gourmet getaway with Fischer’s Baslow Hall as you forage for your lunch before tucking in to the gooey centre.

Stay the night in Baslow at Cavendish Hotel as your base to a new day discovering Jane Austen’s Derbyshire. Make sure during your stay you have time to tuck in at the chef’s table with a perfectly curated seasonal taster menu at the hotel. No trip to the Peak District inspired by Jane would be complete without a visit to Chatsworth House, which is only a short bus ride away. Believed to be the inspiration of Mr Darcy’s Pemberly after visiting Bakewell.

Don’t forget to try the famous Bakewell pudding from The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop right in the heart of the charming market town. While you tuck into the timeless classic dessert be sure to explore the traditional and independent shops in Bakewell before heading on to your next adventure.