28 Fun Things To Do in Derby for Adults 2024

There's a wide range of fun things to do in Derby with your friends, whether you're visiting for the day or living locally. Here's a taste of some of the things you can enjoy in this busy Midlands city:

Make Your Escape Derby

Four great escape game rooms are available at Make Your Escape - Spellbound, Utopia, Dystopia and The Signal.

The games are rated for difficulty, with the easiest - The Signal - for escape room beginners, having a rating of 3/5, and the hardest - Spellbound - for escape room experts and larger teams with a score of 5/5.

The Signal involves escaping from an abandoned military bunker (with two different endings depending on the decisions you make!). Utopia is set on an alternative timeline and is unusual in that it has hardly any padlocks (so it has different sorts of puzzles).

Dystopia is set in a dystopian wasteland and can be played in conjunction with Utopia if you have two teams.

Spellbound is based on the local Derbyshire Bakewell Witches legend, and involves mystery, deception and magic!

Make Your Escape is open 7 days a week.

https://www.makeyourescapederby.com/

Derby Computer Museum

This is a great blast from the past - bringing back memories for the older folks, and showing what the first personal computers and game consoles were like for younger folk!

There are two and a half floors of retro computers, laptops and consoles, and the best thing is that they are all working, plugged in and ready for you to play with!

You can play some of the best retro computer games such as Rick Dangerous, Jet Set Willy, Lemmings, Mario, Goldeneye, multi-player Doom and more...

The museum is in the city centre, and is open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.

https://www.derbycomputermuseum.co.uk/

QUAD

Since 2008, QUAD has been the cultural hub for Derby.

They show a diverse selection of international, independent and Hollywood films, along with contemporary art exhibitions and educational and creative activities.

The QUAD website has details of all their upcoming events - categorised as:

• cinema
• art
• talks and events
• take part
• seasons and festivals.

There is always a great selection of activities at QUAD, all year round. Also, don't forget about the cafe bar serving delicious brunches, lunches, hefty burgers and British classics.

https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/

Showcase Cinema de Lux Derby

The Showcase Cinema de Lux is in the Derbion shopping centre right in the centre of Derby - handy for a great night out if you've been shopping all day!

The cinema boasts 12 screens, including the latest in cinema technology - the supersized XPlus screens, and RealD 3D screens.

Listings change weekly - it's easy to find something you fancy from the latest releases - here are the Showcase Derby showtimes:

https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/showtimes/showcase-cinema-de-lux-derby

Escape Game Over

There are five great escape rooms to choose from at Escape Game Over Derby.

Each room is fully interactive, with riddles, clues, hidden truths and mysteries.

You have an hour to solve the mysteries and escape your chosen room.

The rooms are ranked according to difficulty (ranging from Medium 3/5 to Advanced 5/5). There are also different themes to choose from:

• Horror (Maniac)
• Mystery (Jack the Ripper, Espionage)
• Adventure (Forbidden Temple of Montezuma, Castle of Fire and Ice)

https://derby.escapegameover.co.uk/

Hatchet Harrys

Hatchet Harry's is a great place to have fun and some friendly rivalry with your friends.

Come along for an hour's session, and you will be introduced to the exciting world of axe throwing.

Each "cage" can have up to 8 throwers (2 targets in each cage). Your session will be led by one of the Hatchet Harry's instructors, so it will be great fun and completely safe.

Hatchet Harry's Derby is open 7 days a week, and can cater for group sizes from 2 to 66! So it's ideal if you're having a stag do, birthday celebration or a good night out with your mates.

https://derby.hatchetharrys.co.uk/

Dubrek

Dubrek Studios is the centre of live and recorded music in Derby - there's a recording studio, rehearsal spaces, an art gallery, a cafe/bar and a performance space, so there's always something going on!

The performance space has weekly live music performances, and the art gallery features emerging new artists.

The cafe+ bar has a great selection of drinks and food, including locally sourced beer, perfect for a chill evening with friends.

Check out the events listing on the Dubrek website to find out what's happening there:

https://dubrek.co.uk/events/

Withers Gin School

If you're a fan of gin, then a visit to Derby's Withers Gin School is a must-do activity.

When you arrive at the Gin School you are greeted with a complimentary seasonal serving of Withers Gin, and allocated a still (or you can share it with a friend if you want). You will use your still to create your own bespoke bottle of gin. You will create your own gin recipe, and learn about the distillation process while guided by the experienced staff.

Whilst the distillation process is underway, you will learn more about the Withers Gin company and how they make their gin, and you will enjoy a complimentary G&T.

https://www.withersgin.co.uk/gin-experience

Unescapable Escape Rooms

Unescapable Escape Rooms give you a unique immersive experience - you won't find escape rooms like these anywhere else!

You (and up to 6 friends) are entering a secret time-travel test facility, and your mission will be to find missing time-travelling employees/agents before it is too late. You will only have an hour to track them down!

There are four different rooms named after the agents you are tracking down: Mary, Edith, Tommy and Alan.

The rooms vary in difficulty - check out their website to see which one you fancy:

https://www.unescapable.co.uk/

Famous Trains Model Railway

Here's a great quirky Derby weekend activity: a visit to the Famous Trains Model Railway.

The model railway is situated in the popular Markeaton Park in the city, so it's definitely worth taking a look, especially if you happen to be visiting the park.

The Famous Trains Model Railway is the brainchild of three former engineers who worked on full-sized railways, and who decided to share their enthusiasm for model railways with residents and visitors to Derby.

The display consists of a huge 40ft long oval model railway showing re-creations of famous trains from the past, in miniature form.

The model railway team have a great vision for improving and extending the exhibition, so chances are something will have changed eve time you visit!

https://www.famoustrains.org.uk/index.php

Derby Theatre

Derby Theatre is the home of original theatre, collaborating with the community, local theatre makers and actors, the University of Derby students, children and anyone who wants to learn about theatre.

The shows that Derby Theatre puts on are original and unique. The company produces six in-house shows per year including Easter and Christmas shows. Have a look at their events page to see what you fancy:

https://derbytheatre.co.uk/whats-on/

Tiger Moth Experience with Vintage Flying

Vintage Flying can take you on the flight of your life - an unforgettable experience! You'll be whisked above the clouds in a vintage Tiger Moth Biplane soaring high above the Derbyshire Countryside.

Vintage Flying have two Tiger Moths, called Muttley and Priscilla, which were built in the 1930s. They've been lovingly restored and cared for and are ready to take you on your Tiger Moth Experience.

There are three different lengths of experience to choose from - 30 minutes, 60 minutes and the ultimate 75 minute dambusters experience (where you follow the flightpath of the legendary 617 Dambuster Squadron who practised on the dams in Derbyshire in the Second World War).

https://vintageflying.co.uk

Clip n Climb Derby

This is a great place to get a taste of climbing with your mates. There are 19 fun climbing walls (each with 3 levels of difficulty) with different colourful themes. All of the walls are fitted with a simple auto-belay rope system that allows you to clip in and climb to your heart's content, without worrying about who is holding the ropes!

There's even a speed climbing challenge where you compete to see which of your mates can get to the top first.

There's also the ultimate challenge - the Leap of Faith - where you fly through the air as you dive from a platform! If you want to take the Leap of Faith, you can book it in addition to your climbing session.

During school term time, Clip n Climb Derby have a great offer where you can climb for 50 minutes (plus a 10-minute briefing) and get a 6" pizza and a drink included for only £12 per person!

https://clipnclimbderby.co.uk/

Derby Arena and Velodrome

Two completely different activities are available at the Derby Arena and Velodrome - you can try out the thrilling sport of indoor track cycling, or you can enjoy a great night out at a concert or show at the events centre!

Track cycling at the Derby Arena and Velodrome is a unique experience that will get your adrenaline pumping. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a complete beginner, the Velodrome track offers track cycling sessions for all skill levels. You'll have the chance to ride on the same track that Olympic champions have raced on!

https://www.derbyarena.co.uk/cycling/track-cycling/accreditation/

The events centre has a great selection of large-scale entertainment throughout the year - from comedy shows by well-known comedians to tribute bands and pantomimes, so choose from the upcoming events on their website.

https://www.derbyarena.co.uk/events-and-corporate/whats-on/

Megazone Lasertag

Get ready to channel your inner commando as you navigate through a multi-level arena, armed with state-of-the-art laser tag equipment.

You can battle it out with your friends or join forces to form teams to see who can score the most points (by tagging opponents and capturing bases).

To enhance the experience, the arena is darkened with ultraviolet lighting and filled with fog, creating an immersive and thrilling atmosphere. The adrenaline rush of strategising and outsmarting your opponents is sure to leave you wanting more.

Megazone provides all the necessary equipment, including vests and phasers, and experienced staff members are always on hand to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

https://www.megazone-derby.co.uk/

RollerWorld Derby

RollerWorld Derby is a haven for roller skating enthusiasts and is a must-visit for adults looking for a fun and nostalgic experience. The venue has a spacious roller skating rink complete with vibrant lights and upbeat music, creating an energetic atmosphere.

RollerWorld can provide skate hire, including helmets and elbow-pads, but you're welcome to use your own skates (provided they are well-maintained).

If you're afraid of being shown up by the teenagers, there's a special Adults-only session on a Saturday night, when you can skate with like-minded grown-ups!

http://www.derbyrollerworld.co.uk/

The Climbing Unit

The Climbing Unit in Derby is the perfect place for adults looking to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. They have a variety of bouldering walls suitable for all skill levels, where you can test your strength, agility, and problem-solving abilities.

If you're new to bouldering, you can book an induction session (lasting an hour) which will give you all the basics you need to use the Climbing Unit walls unsupervised.

The Climbing Unit doesn't just have bouldering walls - they have a great training section including campus and training boards, and ten graded climbing circuits which start at "Easy" and finish at "Can't Do"!

https://theclimbingunit.com/

Dancing Duck Brewery Tour

The Dancing Duck Brewery is all about having fun and enjoying the best local craft beers!

Their name and logo comes from the local saying "Ey up Mi Duck!" - who can say that a dancing duck isn't having fun?

The tour of the Dancing Duck Brewery in Paynes Street is excellent value. You get a pint on arrival, along with a chip butty (chip sandwich!), and tour of the brewery with one of the brewers, and a souvenir glass to take home - all for only £16!

https://www.dancingduckbrewery.com/brewery-tours/

 

I hope this has helped you to find lots of fun things to do in Derby with your mates!