Derby Museum & Art Gallery

★★★★★ 4.6/5 (61,605 reviews) Excellent

About This Museum

What I love about the Derby Museum & Art Gallery is how it effortlessly weaves together the region's natural world, its military past, and its artistic soul all under one roof. You can wander from a case of dazzling Blue John fluorite, mined right from the Peak District, to an entire gallery dedicated to the history of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers. Then, of course, there's the world-class collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby, whose dramatic use of light and shadow in works like 'The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus' is simply breathtaking. It’s this unique mix that gives you a profound sense of this place and its people.

Collection Highlights

The absolute must-see is their unrivalled collection of Joseph Wright of Derby paintings; standing before 'A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery' is an experience in itself. The natural history displays are wonderfully specific to the local landscape, featuring incredible geology and wildlife. And for a completely different pace, you can explore the stories and uniforms within the extensive military history galleries.

Visitor Information

The best part? It's completely free to just walk in and explore this fantastic modern space. It’s located right in the heart of the city on The Strand, making it a perfect spot to duck into for an hour or spend a whole afternoon wandering.

Architecture & Building

While it has historic roots, the interior feels surprisingly light and contemporary now, with clean lines and open spaces that make moving between galleries a real pleasure.

Contact & Location

Address: The Strand, St. Peters Quarter, West End, Little Chester, Derby, East Midlands, England, DE1 1BE, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1332 641901

Website: Visit Website