Derby named among UK’s most underrated city breaks

Credit: Marketing Derby

Derby has been named among the most underrated places to visit in the UK for a city break by an influential events and culture magazine.

The city has been placed third in Time Out’s ‘18 most underrated city breaks in the UK’.

Chosen by Time Out’s writers and editors, the list features what they describe as ‘the UK’s best-kept secrets’.

In its review of Derby, it describes Derby Museums’ Museum of Making as “one-of-a-kind”, as well as highlighting the Market Hall and Down to Earth’s Electric Daisy.

A special mention is also given to ULTRA, a 3,500-capacity warehouse club, in Downing Road, on the West Meadows Industrial Estate, and it highlights 50:50, the year of celebrations – which begin on 6th June – marking 50 years of twinning with Osnabruck and 50 years since Derby became a city.

In a statement, Visit Derby, which is the tourism arm of Derby City Council, said: “From recent coverage in Best magazine, to national coverage in Daily Mail exploring Derby’s links to Dracula author Bram Stoker and the story behind one of the world’s most iconic novels, the city has continued to gain attention on a national stage.

“Derby has now been recognised by Time Out in its updated list of the UK’s most underrated city breaks for 2026, placing the city third in the national round-up.

“There’s plenty more still to come this summer too, including the upcoming Lara Croft exhibition, the Biodiversity & Regenerative Food Festival, Derby Festé, Japan Fest and much more.”

The Time Out editorial states: “With more than 70 cities across the UK, you’d be a fool if you only ever visited heavyweights like London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

“Everyone knows how brilliant those cities are, with their cultural offerings and culinary scenes.

“But we all know how expensive they can be, too – so it’s about time other spots got their flowers.

“Every British city has a distinct personality. We have places that are packed with reminders of their medieval history, that are emerging as sporting hotspots, that offer world class nights out and that have bars and restaurants good enough to give London a run for its money.”

News of Derby’s ranking broke in the same week as Marketing Derby staged an ‘An Audience with Ben Aitken’, organised in collaboration with Derby Book Festival and arranged by Visit Derby.

It saw feature travel writer Ben address a packed Museum of Making to talk about his latest book, which covers some of the UK’s uncelebrated and least visited cities.

In conversation with Duncan Marson, senior lecturer in tourism within the Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Derby, Ben shared his affection for the city and the stories that make places memorable.

The latest ranking also comes on the back of Derby being named one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026 by Time Out.

At the start of the year, the magazine included Derby in its ‘14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026’, with the city rubbing shoulders with the likes of Edinburgh and London.

The latest rankings come of the back of efforts by Visit Derby to highlight the city as a visitor destination – inviting journalists and influencers to visit and help raise awareness of its cultural and historical heritage.

Its efforts are backed by several partners.

To read the 18 most underrated city breaks in the UK list in full click here.

Visit Derby has produced a special digital interactive guide detailing all the events taking place as part of 50:50 Derby.