From vibrant Liverpool, to bustling London and beautiful York, the UK is packed full towns and cities well worth a visit.
But while there are some places we Brits love returning to time and again – other destinations aren’t quite so beloved.
And now, a ranking has revealed the best and worst spots in the UK to visit and one city in the East Midlands has been placed right at the bottom of the list.
Described as ‘rundown’ and a ‘dump’, Derby can now claim the ‘prize’ as the worst big UK city for a short break.
It only narrowly beat fellow Midland city, Leicester, and Wales’ second city, Swansea, to claim the not-so-coveted title.
Which? worked out their ranking by surveying 3,967 members who rated UK cities and towns they’d visited for leisure purposes and stayed in for at least one night since April 2022. The results were broken down into small, medium and large cities – listing 62 destinations in total.
So what is it that makes Derby a bit well, rubbish? According to Which?, it ‘scored poorly for food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights and tourist attractions, shopping and ease of getting around – all just two stars’. Ouch.
And to the uninitiated, Derby might not seem like a thrilling getaway.
Often seen as somewhere you simply travel through, visitors on Reddit described it as a place that made them feel ‘lonely and depressed’.
Locals added that ‘it never feels like there’s much to do’, and a third said that it ‘lacks identity.’ Others called the place ‘a dump.’
But don’t go writing if off just yet – dig a little deeper, and Derby might surprise you.
Firstly, there’s the stunning Derby Cathedral, which houses the oldest ring of ten bells not just in the UK, but the world over. Most of them have been there since 1678. And, the original church is thought to have been built in about 943.
Meanwhile, Derby based sculptor, April Jones, told the Independent that her city was ‘an artistic sleeping giant’. Thanks to Derby’s Vibrancy Fund, a pot of £250,000 that gets handed out to local artists, the place is quietly creative. The cash has funded street art, wall murals and installations.
Best large UK cities for a short break, according to Which?
- Liverpool
- Edinburgh
- York
- Belfast
- Glasgow
- London
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Portsmouth
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Manchester
- Brighton & Hove
- Leeds
- Hull
- Nottingham
- Plymouth
- Birmingham
- Coventry
- Sheffield
- Milton Keynes
- Aberdeen
- Southampton
- Leicester
- Swansea
- Derby
There’s also the newly refurbed Derby’s Museum of Making, the Derby Art Gallery, and the stylish Sadler Gate, a trendy street full of independent shops and boutiques.
It’s even got its sights set on becoming the UK’s City of Culture in 2029.
Derby also has a rich motoring heritage. The city began manufacturing Rolls Royce cars in 1908, and also briefly made Bentleys in the 1930s. A new museum, Great Northern Classics – based at the former Rolls-Royce Heritage Centre – is a great place to admire classic cars.
And, you can’t ignore that Derbyshire is home to the Peak District National Park – which welcomes 13.25 million visitors every year. Stroll through the quaint streets of Castleton, or grab yourself a famous pastry in Bakewell.
And, while the Which? survey may have scored the city poorly for food and drink, any resident will cite Birds Bakery as being a beloved Derby stalwart. Started by three brothers back in 1919, their famous cobs still attract queues out the door.
And, if you’re lucky, you might even see a few famous faces if you visit. Niall Horan, and even George Clooney are said to be fans of Derby County Football Club.
So, while it may not have quite the draw of some of the best ranked UK cities – which include Liverpool, Edinburgh and York – maybe it’s time to give the UK’s ‘worst’ city another chance.
This article was first published on May 13, 2024.
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