🇬🇧 Derby, United Kingdom
Grace Guest House
📍 1063 London Rd, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8PZ, UK
Your stay — Grace Guest House
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Derby.
The Property — Grace Guest House
Grace Guest House is a straightforward, no-fuss guesthouse on a residential street a mile north of Derby city centre. The lobby feels like someone's front parlour: floral wallpaper, a pot of tea sometimes out, and a friendly owner who can point you to the best pub for a pint of Pedigree. It’s best for independent travellers or couples who want a clean, quiet base without frills — you’re here for Derby, not the hotel.
Chronicles of Derby
Derby grew from a Roman fort called Derventio into a key industrial hub, famously becoming the birthplace of the British railway industry in the 1840s with the Derby works complex. Its Victorian legacy is stamped across the city’s red-brick mills and the elegant Derby Cathedral, which houses a striking 16th-century Bess of Hardwick tomb. World War II brought Rolls-Royce’s aero-engine production here, cementing Derby as a powerhouse of engineering that continues today with aerospace and rail manufacturing. Culturally, Derby balances a proud industrial past with a modest arts scene — the Derby Museum holds a fine collection of Joseph Wright paintings, while the city’s curry houses along Normanton Road rival Leicester’s.
Best Time to Visit
Full Derby guide →Best months
May to September for reliably warm days (20–24°C) and long light; June is perfect for the Derby Folk Festival without mid-summer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak due to school holidays, Derby Ram Trail (summer art trail) and the Darley Park concert series. Hotel prices can jump 20–30% in August; book four weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer milder weather (10–16°C), rare discounts of 15–25% on room rates, and fewer visitors at Derby Cathedral and the Silk Mill museum.
Weather & packing
Derby’s microclimate is noticeably warmer and drier than Manchester just 40 miles west, but rain still arrives in sudden showers. Pack a waterproof shell jacket and comfortable shoes — you’ll walk on cobbles and park paths equally.
Live City Briefing — Derby
- Derby’s main bus station, the Riverlights hub, completed a major refurb in late 2025 — all services now run from improved concourse with real-time boards.
- The Cathedral Quarter’s St Peter’s Street pedestrian zone expanded in spring 2026, with new outdoor seating for the Old Bell Hotel and nearby cafes.
- Rolls-Royce’s ‘Engine of the Future’ exhibition opens at the Silk Mill in July 2026 — book free timed slots online to avoid queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Grace Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor rear-facing room. The rear orientation cuts London Road traffic noise, and the first floor avoids the entry-level step and any ground-floor footfall from the communal hallway.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor front-facing rooms. They sit closest to London Road (A6) – a main arterial route into Derby – so you'll hear constant traffic, especially at rush hour. Also, the front entrance step is only manageable with a portable ramp, so ground-floor front rooms are the least convenient if you have luggage.
Best views
Rear-facing first-floor rooms overlook the back garden or neighbouring gardens – not spectacular, but peaceful and green. Front-facing rooms face London Road and the industrial/commercial strip opposite – no view worth writing about.
Quietest floors
First floor only (there's no lift, and the ground floor has the entry issue; second floor would be quieter from street noise but requires steep stairs).
🔊 Noise notes
London Road (A6) is a busy main road with heavy traffic 7am–9am and 4pm–7pm. Occasional HGVs and emergency sirens. No on-site bar or late-night venue, so noise is purely street-based. The guest WiFi is slow (10 Mbps), so don't expect to stream in high definition – bring a hotspot if you need reliable video calls.
Insider tips
1. Park on London Road itself – it's unrestricted and free. The Wilmot Street car park (£6/24h) is only worth it if the street is full; walk 5 mins. 2. The portable ramp for the front step must be requested in advance – don't assume it'll be out. If you're carrying heavy bags, ask for a first-floor room to minimise stairs after the ramp.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Grace Guest House
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no password required, guest network 'GraceGuest'
No lift – two-storey Victorian conversion, stairs only
No printed papers; free digital access to local Derby Telegraph website not provided – bring your own device
Check-in 14:00-21:00 (late arrivals by prior arrangement); early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out fee £20 until 12:00, subject to availability
Free storage for same-day drop-off and post-checkout until 18:00
Step at front entrance (portable ramp available on request); no ground-floor bedrooms; narrow doorways – not suitable for wheelchair users
Free on-street parking on London Road (unrestricted); no on-site or valet; nearest public car park: Derby City Council car park on Wilmot Street (5 min walk, £6 for 24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; £100 incidental card hold taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: NTCG Derby (440 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: English Martyrs Church (460 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses (470 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Alvaston Methodist Church (486 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Alvaston Park — 842 m · ~11 min walk
Great Northern Classics — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Olympic Gym — 844 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 721 m · ~9 min walk
Peak Pharmacy — 659 m · ~8 min walk
Sangra Stores — 305 m · ~4 min walk
Spondon — 2.8 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use free ATMs at major banks or building societies; avoid currency exchange bureaux at stations or airports for poor rates.
Contactless cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay are widely accepted in shops, supermarkets, and restaurants; chip-and-PIN standard.
Not expected; 10% in sit-down restaurants for good service, round up taxi fares, and a few pounds for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter or americano from a bakery or cafe chain: around £2.50.
Meal deal from a supermarket (sandwich, crisps, drink) for £3.50–£4.
Pub main or curry from a local takeaway: £10–£13.
Limited; try a fish-and-chip shop or supermarket hot food counter.
Aldi, Lidl, Asda, and Tesco are the main budget supermarkets.
Primark, Matalan, and charity shops on the main high street; Derby Outdoor Market offers cheap basics.
Single bus fare £2–£2.50; day pass for city buses around £4.50. From East Midlands Airport, take the bus to Derby city centre for £5–£7 (Skylink service).
Use the meal deal from Tesco or Asda for lunch; fill up a reusable water bottle at public fountains many cafes will refill for free; visit the Derby Museum and Art Gallery for free entry.
Good to know — Derby
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Derby, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Grace Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 721 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Peak Pharmacy — 659 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Derby Railway Station → London St Pancras (via East Midlands Railway) or direct to Leeds (Grand Central)
💡 Studio 3 is a 10-minute walk from Derby station: exit north, turn onto Railway Terrace then onto Siddals Road. For London, book advance singles online—same-day walk-up is double. Grand Central to Leeds has no food trolley; bring your own snacks.
East Midlands Airport (or Derby station) → Sunrise Guest House
💡 Pre-book Derby Cars for airport runs; they charge a flat rate. Uber is cheaper for short hops from the station. Avoid flagging down black cabs on Stretton Road—they overcharge.
Stansted Airport (STN) → Grace Guest House, Derby
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Derby Cars or City Taxis for a fixed price; avoid London Black Cabs at the airport.
Derby city centre stops (e.g., Bus Station or St Peter’s Street) → Studio 3 (closest stop: ‘Western Road’ on route 1 or 2)
💡 Use the Trentbarton app to buy a ‘mango’ day ticket for all city buses. Route 1 runs past the main shopping street; get off at the stop after ‘St Peter’s Church’ when heading west—Studio 3 is a 2-minute walk down Siddals Road. Cash not accepted on most buses except exact change on Arriva.
Derby City Centre (Morledge stop) → Grace Guest House (Kedleston Road stop)
💡 Download the Arriva app for contactless tickets; the route gets packed during uni term times so sit near the front doors.
Derby Bus Station → Derby Guest House (near Uttoxeter New Road stop)
💡 Use the Arriva app for a day pass at £4.50 – covers all city buses.
Derby Bus Station → The Maryland
💡 Routes 1, 1A, or 1C from the bus station to 'The Spot' stop, a 3-minute walk. Tap contactless – cheaper than cash. No direct bus from airport.
Derby Railway Station → Derby City Centre (adjacent to Derby Guest House area)
💡 The station is a 10-minute walk to the guest house; no need for a bus unless you have heavy luggage.
Derby city centre (Bus Station) → Sunrise Guest House (stop: 'Kedleston Road' near Markeaton Street)
💡 Use the 'Arriva Bus' app for real-time tracking. Ask for a day rider if you're making multiple trips—saves cash.
Derby Railway Station → City Centre / The Maryland
💡 Get off at Derby station – it's a 10-minute walk or short taxi to The Maryland. For airport, take the Skylink bus instead; the train doesn't stop at EMA.
East Midlands Airport (EMA) → Derby Guest House
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Derby Cars to avoid surge pricing at the airport rank.
East Midlands Airport → The Maryland, Derby
💡 Pre-book via Kingsway Cars or DG Cars for a fixed fare around £20–25. Uber is less reliable here; sticks to the city centre.
About Derby
Wikipedia ↗
Derby ( DAR-bee) is a cathedral city and unitary authority area on the River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original county town. As a unitary authority, Derby is administratively independent from Derbyshire County Council. The population of Derby is ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Grace Guest House?
Request a first-floor rear-facing room. The rear orientation cuts London Road traffic noise, and the first floor avoids the entry-level step and any ground-floor footfall from the communal hallway.
Which rooms should I avoid at Grace Guest House?
Avoid ground-floor front-facing rooms. They sit closest to London Road (A6) – a main arterial route into Derby – so you'll hear constant traffic, especially at rush hour. Also, the front entrance step is only manageable with a portable ramp, so ground-floor front rooms are the least convenient if you have luggage.
Is Grace Guest House noisy?
London Road (A6) is a busy main road with heavy traffic 7am–9am and 4pm–7pm. Occasional HGVs and emergency sirens. No on-site bar or late-night venue, so noise is purely street-based. The guest WiFi is slow (10 Mbps), so don't expect to stream in high definition – bring a hotspot if you need reliable video calls.
Which rooms have the best views at Grace Guest House?
Rear-facing first-floor rooms overlook the back garden or neighbouring gardens – not spectacular, but peaceful and green. Front-facing rooms face London Road and the industrial/commercial strip opposite – no view worth writing about.
What are insider tips for staying at Grace Guest House?
1. Park on London Road itself – it's unrestricted and free. The Wilmot Street car park (£6/24h) is only worth it if the street is full; walk 5 mins. 2. The portable ramp for the front step must be requested in advance – don't assume it'll be out. If you're carrying heavy bags, ask for a first-floor room to minimise stairs after the ramp.
What time is check-in at Grace Guest House?
Check-in at Grace Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Grace Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no password required, guest network 'GraceGuest'
Is there a city or tourist tax at Grace Guest House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Grace Guest House?
Meal deal from a supermarket (sandwich, crisps, drink) for £3.50–£4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Grace Guest House?
Single bus fare £2–£2.50; day pass for city buses around £4.50. From East Midlands Airport, take the bus to Derby city centre for £5–£7 (Skylink service).
When is the best time to visit Derby?
May to September for reliably warm days (20–24°C) and long light; June is perfect for the Derby Folk Festival without mid-summer crowds.
Top Attractions in Derby
💡 Climb the tower for panoramic city views (£5 adult, £3 child). Check the website for the limited tower opening days. Evensong services (free) offer great acoustic experience.
💡 Climb the tower for £3—the view over the city and down the Derwent Valley is worth the narrow spiral stairs.
💡 Check the basement gallery for the rarely crowded costume collection or the local archaeology finds. Quieter on weekday mornings.
💡 Climb the tower for a good view over the city—it costs about £4, but the main cathedral is free. Check times as it's occasionally closed for services.
💡 Tower tours cost £5 but are worth it for the panorama. Check the website – tours run on selected Saturdays in summer.
💡 The Joseph Wright gallery on the first floor is the highlight – the lighting in the paintings is extraordinary. Allow at least 90 minutes to do it justice.
💡 Check the basement for the often-quiet military history room—small but packed with detail.
💡 Climb the tower for £7 – 189 steps give you cracking views over the city and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.