Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Surrounded by mature leafy parkland, gorgeous riverside walks and a dramatic weir, this historic village sits bang slap in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Darley Abbey Mills. It feels like a quiet, countryside village (you’ll hear the dawn chorus at full volume), but it’s only a (very pretty) 20-minute walk into Derby’s busy shops and restaurants. Its rich 18th-century industrial heritage still shows – the neat rows of quaint cottages by the river were built for the workers at the handsome red-brick cotton mill, but there’s also lots of large Edwardian and Victorian houses on broad, tree-lined streets so there’s a real mix of options. To walk into Derby, you pass through the lovely arboretum-style park and along the River Derwent. The perfect city commute.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1.jpg" alt="Riverside terrace of Lorentes tapas restaurant" class="wp-image-6055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Lorentes-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Riverside terrace at Lorentes</figcaption></figure>



<p>You’ll be longing for summer living here. There are some fabulous al fresco dining spots, including <a href="https://darleys.com/">Darleys Restaurant</a> overlooking the mesmerising weir and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecottonworksderby/">Lorentes</a>, with its beautiful leafy terrace and tapas dishes. For drinks, The Paper Mill is a bit of a hidden gem with excellent craft beers, while wine bar <a href="https://darleyabbeywines.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1RMRX21N6VIU1nCfP8vqkmaLF5QEEDRQsm_0dWEyzk0qJeAZqDM2UWtXw">Darley Abbey Wines</a> hosts regular tasting events, live music and cheese and charcuterie boards. For daytime catch-ups, head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Darley-Park-Tea-Rooms-100020718019881/?locale=en_GB">Darley Park tearoom</a> with it’s pretty outdoor courtyard in the heart of the park. There are some Muddy favourites a short drive away too &#8211; the <a href="https://binarybarandrestaurant.co.uk/">Binary Bar</a> for a night with the girls or gorgeous gastropub <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/muddy-reviews-the-cow-dalbury-lees/">The Cow</a> for stand-out seafood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p><a href="https://darleyabbeystore.co.uk/">Darley Abbey Store</a>, a general store and off licence, for essentials. A walk along the river takes you to Derby’s lovely Cathedral Quarter, home to cobbled Sadler Gate and its cool indie boutiques like<a href="https://canopyonline.co.uk/our-store/"> Canopy</a> and Muddy Award-winning hair salon <a href="https://m.sallymontague.co.uk/salons/sadler-gate/">Sally Montague.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Kedleston-NT.jpg" alt="View of the 18th century bridge and woodland beyond at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire" class="wp-image-2684" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Kedleston-NT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Kedleston-NT-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Kedleston-NT-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Kedleston-NT-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stunning Darley Park sprawls over 80 acres, Shaded by majestic, mature trees – from redwoods and pines to oaks and acers – it has the feel of an ancient arboretum. With gorgeous views, woodland trails and big open spaces, it’s a mecca for free range kids, dog walkers and runners. National Trust property <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/kedleston-hall">Kedleston Hall</a> (pictured) is just across the A38 and is like a mini Chatsworth with glorious gardens.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>If living within a UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t enough, culture vultures have plenty on their doorstep. The marvellous <a href="https://www.derbymuseums.org/">Museum of Making</a> at Derby Silk Mill is just along the river while Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/">Quad</a> is a great place for mainstream and quirky films, art exhibitions and workshops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>A trend-bucking 13% up on last year at £305,739 (although the majority of sales during the last year were detached properties averaging slightly higher at £413,583).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Darley-Abbey-property.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6348" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Darley-Abbey-property.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Darley-Abbey-property-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Darley-Abbey-property-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Darley-Abbey-property-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">With a wow open plan ground floor this <a href="https://www.bagshawsresidential.co.uk/properties/17384823/sales/DBY118006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stunner of a five-bedroom house</a> is listed at £700,000.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries-amp-schools">NURSERIES &amp; SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Ooh, this is a fab spot for schools right now. The UK’s first ‘biophilic’ school (meaning it will be close to nature and its design focused around plants and wildlife) is currently being built on the doorstep. It looks beautiful so far and will be home to <a href="https://www.stmarysderby.srscmat.co.uk/">St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy</a> &nbsp;rated Outstanding in four areas with an overall Good rating in its Ofsted report this year. There’s also the outstanding <a href="https://www.lawn.derby.sch.uk/">Lawn Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.walterevans.derby.sch.uk/">Walter Evans</a>. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.stbenedictderby.srscmat.co.uk/">Saint Benedict</a> is the Catholic secondary academy, rated Good by Ofsted and Outstanding <a href="https://landau-forte.org.uk/">Landau Forte College</a> is nearby. For independents, there’s the Excellent-rated <a href="https://www.oldvicarageschool.co.uk/">Old Vicarage School</a>, with small class sizes and a family feel for Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep. All-through school <a href="https://derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk/">Derby High</a> is rated Excellent and sporty <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/repton-school-repton/">Repton</a> is just across the A50.<span style="font-weight: normal"></span></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST-KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Once a medieval monastery, The Abbey was popular among locals (until its closure a couple of years ago) as a traditional pub with games like darts, dominoes, crib and backgammon. Some say it’s haunted and used to attract paranormal groups on the hunt for ghosts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The village is right by the main A38 that runs south to Burton and north to the M1, well-connected Derby station is in the city centre and East Midlands airport is a 20-minute drive.</p>



<p>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 260 Best Places to Live&nbsp;</a></p>


Best Places to Live: Darley Abbey

See more in Derbyshire