The team behind Derby’s campaign to attract visitors says the city has “a huge opportunity to impress” after it was included in a national magazine’s list of the best destinations to visit during 2026.
The Destination Derby Board, which helps drives tourism and economic growth for the city, welcomed its inclusion in the 14-strong list published by Time Out magazine this month.
Why Time Out Has Named Derby a Top Destination for 2026
The listing, which placed Derby alongside other destinations including Stirling, Edinburgh and Birmingham, informs readers that the city is “well-established as a base for visiting the stunning rugged hills of the Peak District (including picture-perfect villages like Ashford-in-the-Water, Bakewell and Buxton).”
But it also described it as “an exciting destination in its own right”, with “plenty more scheduled for 2026”.
This includes the opening season of the new 3,500-capacity nightclub URBAN, the arrival of the Joseph Wright: From The Shadows exhibition, which is currently on display at the National Gallery in London, at Derby Museum in May.
There is also the 50:50 series, which celebrates the twin anniversaries of Derby receiving city status and being twinned with Osnabruck in Germany, while events are being planned to mark 30 years since the launch of the video game Tomb Raider, which was created by city firm Core Design.
A Strong Year for Derby Tourism and Culture
The Time Out listing follows a strong 2025 for Derby, which saw the opening of the renovated Market Hall, the opening of the Vaillant Live entertainment venue and the Greatest Gathering, a three-day rail event which attracted 42,000 people to train manufacturer Alstom’s HQ in Litchurch Lane.
It has also been featured in a host of travel articles following visits from writers working for titles including the Guardian, the Travel Magazine and the Metro.
Board member Stella Birks, who is also visitor economy development manager at Visit Derby, said: “Being listed in Time Out is a huge endorsement for Derby and what it has to offer for visitors, and it’s a massive boost to the city’s national reputation.
“While it’s extremely satisfying to see it included on the list, it’s no surprise, because we know from our conversations with travel writers that Derby has just what people are looking for right now.
“Having a homogeneous city centre doesn’t cut it anymore. People are hungry for new and are hungry for different, they want unique and quirky locations they can feature on social media and they are looking for somewhere with strong stories to tell.
“Derby has all of this, and this year it’s got some landmark events and anniversaries that people will be interested in. All of that, and this listing, gives Derby a huge opportunity for the city to impress this year.”
Partnership Working to Raise Derby’s National Profile
The Destination Derby Board is led by Rob Gorton, senior manager, corporate planning and external affairs, at Toyota, and incudes representatives from other organisations and businesses across the city.But there are also a host of other independent businesses in Derby who are playing their part, including those who have given up their time over the past year to provide accommodation and show journalists and content creators around.
Stella added: “We’re all extremely grateful for anyone who has taken out time to showcase what the city is all about and we’d love to find more businesses who can help us.
“They will be vital in showing what Derby is all about, which is a city where people can enjoy new experiences and come together.
“Yes, the city centre has issues, but they’re no different to every other city and high street across the country and there is a huge amount of partnership work underway to address this.
“However, Time Out wouldn’t risk its reputation on a city it didn’t believe in, so I think it’s time for all of us who live and work here to believe in it too.”
Rob Gorton, chair of the Destination Derby board, said: “I’m pleased and proud to see Derby being recognised for what it is – an exciting, and upcoming, place to visit.
“The Destination Derby Board has been working hard to develop and coordinate the city’s offer, so this is great recognition for the hard work of the whole team and reflects the fantastic potential for Derby in this exciting year.”
Paul Hurst, owner of the Bell Hotel and chair of Love Sadler Gate, said: “It’s inspiring to see what can be achieved when we work in partnership to raise the city’s profile.
“The Bell Hotel is proud to be a member of the Destination Derby Board, supporting journalist visits and helping to shout about all the great things happening here. “The Love Sadler Gate team are passionate about our street and our city. Sadler Gate has a rich history and is home to some amazing independent businesses, and we work hard to deliver fantastic events and create a great visitor experience in Derby.”
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