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CITY ESCAPE
I live near the UK’s worst city break destination – here’s why it’s a great affordable holiday with fun attractions
And which city came out on top
IF you're looking for a city break, Derby is probably not at the top of your list of places to visit.
And you wouldn't be alone, after it came bottom of a survey of the UK's cities.
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The Which? study spoke to thousands of people, rating places rating accommodation, food and drink, cultural sites and tourist attractions, ease of getting around, lack of crowds and value for money.
And Derby scored just 56 per cent (compared to top place Liverpool at 84 per cent).
But with popularity comes higher prices, so if you're looking for a city break on a budget, it might be worth giving Derby a second look.
I live about half an hour away and my boys and I have had plenty of fun days out in and around the city.
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Not only is there lots to love in this overlooked city, there's rarely any crowds to contend with, as clearly it doesn't have the best reputation.
If you're after a quiet staycay without raucous revellers spilling out of every bar, this could be the spot for you.
The city centre is looking a bit unloved at the moment, but there is still lots to do and it doesn't cost the earth when you go to local attractions like Moorways Water Park, which are low price but high value.
Derby's got loads of lovely green spaces like Alvaston and Markeaton parks and Elvaston Castle.
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Just outside the city is Bluebell Dairy, a great day out for little ones as there's ice cream, farm animals and play spaces to enjoy.
Down the road is Leicester, which also scored low in the Which? ratings, but is actually on the up since the cathedral quarter was reimagined after King Richard III was discovered buried there a decade ago.
6 underrated cities in the UK
It's now brilliant for history buffs but also for anyone who loves ambling around a city centre enjoying the architecture and atmosphere.
The National Space Centre and Curve theatre are two relatively recent additions that locals love.
Meanwhile, Nottingham is currently redeveloping its Broadmarsh area, which now boasts a fantastic city library, play area and urban green space.
Derby has the bones to be a desirable destination if it can follow in the footsteps of its Midlands neighbours.
One of my favourite moments there was gazing through the cathedral entrance and seeing a giant model of the moon hanging in this sacred space, an awe-inspiring experience.
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Round the back of the cathedral is a terrace that opens onto the river, the perfect spot to enjoy a sandwich or a quiet coffee.
It's here you'll find the Museum of Making, which opened in an old silk mill overlooking the River Derwent in 2021, celebrating 300 years of industrial heritage.
If Derby can build on this beginning and make more urban attractions that are worth a visit, it could soon be moving up the list of locations to love, rather than languishing below Leicester.
One of its problems is that it's been a decade since a blaze at the Assembly Rooms shut this once-vibrant venue and its loss casts a shadow over not just the Market Place where the derelict theatre sits, but over the city centre as a whole.
The council has announced a massive redevelopment project, bringing this space into the 21st century to become a focal point of the city once again.
Without this much-needed investment, Derby will continue to look down on its luck, which is a turn-off for tourists.
That's a real shame as one of the great gifts in Derby is how easy it is to get to lovely countryside all around it.
Hop on a train to Matlock Baths in the Derbyshire Dales or take a drive to Chatsworth House and you'll be wowed by the wilds and charmed by the countryside just a stone’s throw away.
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The top UK cities according to Which?
Which? surveyed 3,967 people about their experiences of UK cities and towns they had visited for leisure purposes and stayed in for at least one night in the last two years.
A total of 7,187 experiences were reported in total.
All were scored out of five stars on a range of criteria including accommodation, food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of getting around, lack of crowds, and value for money.
A score was calculated based on visitors’ overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend, with the top ten as followed:
- Liverpool 84%
- Edinburgh 83%
- York 83%
- Belfast 77%
- Glasgow 76%
- London 76%
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne 75%
- Portsmouth 74%
- Bristol 73%
- Cardiff 72%
It really is the best of both worlds if you like a city vibe but also want to get away into nature for a bit of peace and quiet.
My boys and I will be heading into Derby this summer for days out and family fun - and you should give it a try too.
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