Townscape Trail

Derby has many examples of good design, in individual buildings and townscape.

This web-based trail is about ‘townscape’. By web-based, we mean that the trail guide is available on this website only, and not as a separate printed leaflet.

‘Townscape’ is about how buildings relate to each other and to the streets and open spaces within which they are set. It covers the character and quality of open spaces that make up the ‘public realm’.

In Derby, we want to achieve higher standards for architecture and townscape. Other web pages in our Derby City Design series look at how we can realise this ambition. This trail celebrates some of excellent townscape we have already, townscape of distinctive design and real quality, townscape that can inspire high standards for the future.

Details

The trail is about two kilometres or just over one mile in length. How long it takes depends on how quickly you want to go and how much you want to take in. There is a lot to see and enjoy.

It is independently accessible to disabled people including wheelchairs and powered scooters.

It is shown on the map and described in:

• the description of the trail with photographs
• the description of the trail in a shorter, text only format.

The trail starts at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in the Market Place. Contact details for the TIC, other details about the trail, and a wealth of links to other web pages are included in the Adobe pdfs.

Expert views

A feature of the trail guide is that we have asked a number of experts to help celebrate the townscape to be found at the heart of our city centre. The pdf texts include commentaries from people from Derby Cityscape, Conservation Area Advisory Committee, and Derby Civic Society. Comments from Conservation Area Advisory Committee’s M.A.B. Mallender about St Mary’s Gate are recorded in the main texts. As a supplement to the trail guide, we provide an account of the history of St. Mary’s Gate prepared by Mr Mallender, illustrating how in earlier times it has a ‘vibrancy’ contrasting with the relatively quiet and sedate character it has today.