Man visits UK’s ‘worst city’ for tourists and is completely blown away

A man visited the UK city named the UK’s worst for tourists and was enchanted by its beauty and wealth of attractions.

Derby, a city on the banks of the River Derwent in Derbyshire, was named in Which? survey as the “worst” place to visit in the UK for a staycation.

The research polled 3,967 members, who were asked to rate UK cities and towns they had stayed over night in at least once since April 2022. The results were split into small, medium, and large cities.

But locals hit back at the dubious honour and claims from visitors on Reddit that the Derby is “run down”. VisitDerby also invited The Metro to send a reporter to make their own judgement with a tailor-made itinerary.

Staying at a Holiday Inn, they were provided with beautiful views over the River Derwent. The journalist found “an incredibly accessible city”, with “virtually every destination” no more than 10 minutes away on foot.

A volunteer-run boat tour was hailed as a great way to take in Derby’s historic sites and river banks, including Darley Park and St Mary’s Bridge.

The reporter was struck by the “thriving community of lovely people” he found there, passionate about their city’s history and was impressed by several standout attractions.

These included Electric Daisy, an “incredible urban garden event space,” and the Small Print Company, a traditional letterpress and design studio that sells heritage prints.

Meanwhile, Derby Cathedral “defies expectation” with its light and bright gothic decor, which includes a tower dating back to the 16th century.

The city also has a rich cultural scene, with most free to enjoy, asking only for a voluntary donation. As part of the curated trip, he visited The Derby Museum and Art Gallery, noting that it boasts the most extensive collection of works by the 18th-century landscape and portrait painter Joseph Wright of Derby.

Bluebell Dairy Farm is ranked as the city’s top attraction on TripAdvisor. Visitors can stop for a coffee or an artisanal ice cream and meet various animals.

The farm is currently in season and will reopen during the February 2025 half-term, according to its website.

One reviewer who visited last year said: “Thoroughly enjoyed our visit with our grand-daughter today. Lots of animals to see and other activities to do.”

The city also boasts several well-regarded pubs, with The Brewery Tap, which offers real ales and locally sourced food, ranking among the best on TripAdvisor.

Derby is also a great base for visiting beautiful scenery in the surrounding area, as it’s located just 30 minutes away from the popular tourist hotspot, the Peak District.