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Pictures of Denby

in the county of Derbyshire

Parish Church, Denby, Derbyshire.

About Denby

Denby is famous for its beautiful decorative Stoneware pottery which has been exported all over the world.

It is a village a few miles to the north of Derby, it was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and has a church which dates from around 1135. This is an attractive church building with a lofty spire, it sits serenely in a churchyard surrounded by scattered graves, and earlier tombs.

The village was strictly rural with agriculture being the mainstay of the economy for several hundred years. Expansion and more growth came in the early part of the 19th century with the discovery of coal and clay. Most of the land belonged to the Drury-Lowe family of Locko Park, Spondon. This family also owned most of the collieries, and are well known as benefactors of the local parish church. This is the Church of the Virgin Mary, a delightful church building with a 14th century tower and spire. Inside the calm interior there is a 17th century alter-table. The church is where heroic Sir Drury Drury-Lowe is buried, he is best remembered for his daring leadership of a moonlight cavalry charge of 1882, which saved Cairo from destruction during the Egyptian War. He also fought at Sebastopol and saw the closing scenes of the Indian Mutiny.

Joseph Bourne started the famous Denby Pottery in 1809, Bourne was a shrewd business man as well as an excellent potter, he quickly recognised the demand for Stoneware pots and bottles and by 1832 his Pottery had become the biggest exporter of such items in Britain. Denby ware is still in huge demand today, the Pottery which lies just outside the village is a major employer of the locality and much of its production is exported abroad. Visitors to the factory can enjoy tours and make purchases from the visitors centre. Much credit goes to Joseph Bourne for he is largely responsible for putting Denby on the tourist trail, attracting around 300,000 visitors a year!

Visitors will note Breach Cottage a building of 1678 which was used as a Quakers Meeting House until 1874, it is where 200 Quaker members are buried.

John Flamstead the first Astronomer Royal was born in Denby, so too was Benjamin Outram, railway engineer famous for building the railway line from Smithy House to Little Eaton. This was used for the transportation of coal by horse-drawn trucks to the canal wharf.

Much excitement was caused here early in the 20th century when Tarmacadum was accidentally formulated. This single discovery revolutionized road building, thus giving Denby another claim to fame.

Denby can be found close to Belper, Kilburn and Heanor, it is around 8 miles north from Derby.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Denby

Shipley Country Park(2.8 miles, 4.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
The Midland Railway Centre(3.3 miles, 5.2 km, direction N)Pictures
American Adventure Theme Park(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction E)Pictures
The Erewash Museum(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
National Tramway Museum(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction NW)Pictures
Kedleston Hall(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Derby Cathedral(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction SW)Pictures
Derby Museum and Art Gallery(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction SW)Pictures
Elvaston Castle(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Middleton Top Engine House(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NW)Pictures
Wollaton Hall(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Carsington Water(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction W)Pictures
Riber Castle(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction NW)Pictures
The Peak District Mining Museum(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction NW)Pictures

All attractions in Denby
All attractions in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Denby

Smalley, in the county of Derbyshire (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction SE)
A delightful place with attractive village buildings including a church, village hall, several small shops and three village inns.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ripley, in the county of Derbyshire (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Heage, in the county of Derbyshire (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction NW)
The village lies a short distance from the beauty spot Carsington Water, between the market town's of Ripley and Belper.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ilkeston, in the county of Derbyshire (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction SE)
Within this pretty hilltop town you will find the ancient church dedicated to St.Mary, it was built around 1150 and has a beautiful clock-face tower.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Crich, in the county of Derbyshire (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NW)
A village on the edge of the Peak District National Park with a Museum dedicated solely to the golden era of the Tramcar. Also famous as being the location for filming Peak Practice.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Babbington, in the county of Nottinghamshire (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction E)
This pretty Nottinghamshire village is situated around 7 miles from the centre of Nottingham. It is typical of rural England, with cottages interspersed along quiet leafy lanes.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Trowell, in the county of Nottinghamshire (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction SE)
Modern day history records that this was the village chosen as The Festival of Britain Village, at the time it was considered to epitomise the spirit of British rural community life.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Derby, in the county of Derbyshire (6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW)
This is the premier town of the Shire, it is steeped in history with roots stretching to Roman times - the legions had a camp...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Mugginton, in the county of Derbyshire (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction W)
This is a popular Derbyshire village with a church dating back to the Doomsday Book.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Papplewick, in the county of Nottinghamshire (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction E)
This delightful village lies close to the forest made famous by the legendry Robin Hood and his sweetheart Maid Marian.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SE)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Matlock Bath, in the county of Derbyshire (9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction NW)
Matlock Bath lies amongst some of the most beautiful river-valley country in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Beeston, in the county of Nottinghamshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SE)
Beeston is mostly remarkable for being the place where the Ist Lord Trent started work in his mother's herbal shop at the age of 14.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nottingham, a Historic City in the county of Nottinghamshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction E)
The City of Nottingham is famed for fine lace, the romance of Maid Marion and Robin Hood and as the birthplace of the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth (1829-1912).
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Langley Mill Station(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction E)
Belper Station(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction W)
M1 Junction 27(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE)
M1 Junction 28(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NE)
East Midlands Airport(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction S)
Sheffield City Airport(26.4 miles, 42.5 km, direction N)
Denby to London(117.3 miles, 188.8 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Denby

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Denby center
Morley Hayes Hotel(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction S)
Makeney Hall Hotel(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction W)
The Lion Hotel(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction W)
Dannah Farm Country House(5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction NW)
Days Hotel Derby(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction S)
Risley Hall Hotel & Spa(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Sleep Inn Derby(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction S)
SACO Derby(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SW)
Derby East Premier Travel Inn(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S)
Heritage Hotel(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Denby

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