Property, Houses and Flats for Sale in Derby, Derbyshire

Derby lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the county of Derbyshire. The popular belief is that the name 'Derby' is a corruption of the Danish Deor-a-by (Village of the Deer). During the Civil War of 1642-1646 the town was garrisoned by Parliamentary troops who successfully defended Derbyshire against royalist armies.

In 1717, Derby was the site of the first water-powered silk mill in Britain, built by John Lombe and George Sorocold after Lombe had reputedly stolen the secrets of silk-throwing from Piedmont, in what is now Italy.

Bonnie Prince Charlie, while on his way south to seize the English crown, made camp at Derby on 4th December, 1745. The Prince called at The George Inn on Irongate and demanded billets for his 9,000 followers. But, when the tartan army heard that English troops were on their way north, Prince Charlie's officers decided to give up and return to Scotland.

Despite being one of the areas of Britain furthest from the sea, Derby holds a special place in the history of marine safety. It was as MP for Derby that Samuel Plimsoll introduced his bills for a 'Plimsoll line' and various other marine safety measures.

Houses for sale in Derby and the surrounding areas offer a wide choice of properties, in a variety of styles and periods, for prices that compare very favourably with the rest of the country. Modest two-bedroom terraced cottages in the heart of the city can be found for as little as £100,000. Houses for sale in Derby in a modern development offering semi-detached properties with their own garages and gardens, are on offer with Derby Estate agents for under £110,000. The average price for a three bedroom home is £130,000 and £235,000 for four or five bedrooms in a popular area. For £450,000 you can purchase Victorian, seven-bedroom, semi-detached townhouses, often with basement flats and good-sized gardens.

Flats for sale in Derby in attractive period-design apartment houses are available for £110,000 for one bedroom and up to £200,000 for four bedrooms.

Flats to rent in Derby such as one-bedroom, furnished flats in a good location close to the Town Centre, with central heating and double-glazing, would be available for under £250 per month.

Amenities for Derby properties

Derby Gaol is a visitor attraction based in the dungeons of the Derbyshire County Gaol which dates back to 1756. Derby Industrial Museum is situated in Derby Silk Mill and shows the industrial heritage and technological achievement of Derby, including Rolls-Royce aero engines, railways, mining, quarrying, and foundries. Derby Museum and Art Gallery displays paintings by Joseph Wright, fine Royal Crown Derby porcelain, artefacts from local regiments, and archaeological finds. Derby Cathedral boasts the second-highest cathedral tower in the country and Eagle Centre indoor mall is a Mecca for shoppers.

Derby operates a non-selective primary and secondary education system. Outside the state sector, Derby Grammar School, caters for boys, Derby High School, caters for girls (and boys at primary level only), and Ockbrook School is an independent school for girls aged 3-18 and boys 3-11.

Transport in Derby

The M1 motorway passes approximately ten miles to the east of the city, linking Derby southwards to London and northwards to Sheffield and Leeds. Other major roads passing through or near to Derby include the A6, A38, A52, and A61. The railway station in Derby, called Derby Midland, has frequent express trains to London, the North East and the South West, provided by Midland Mainline, Virgin Trains and Central Trains. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is situated about fifteen miles from Derby city centre and is served by several budget airlines offering a variety of internal and European destinations.

Local bus services in and around Derby are run by a number of companies. The city is not particularly well served by long distance coaches, although it is on National Express's London to Manchester and Yorkshire to the South West routes.

Surrounding areas

While searching for property to buy or property to rent in Derby, which is covered by the postcode DE, you may also like to consider neighbouring areas such as Alfreton, Ashbourne, Belper, Buxton, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Matlock and Swadlincote.