Cities
The county's premier city is Derby, which although steeped in history, is one of Britain's youngest cities, being awarded its Charter by Her Majesty the Queen in 1977.
Derby has many unique characteristics with a rich mixture of arts, tourism and cultural venues and a pedestrianised city centre, which makes shopping a joy.
The larger conurbations of Sheffield and Nottingham are two cities just to the east, whilst to the north lies Greater Manchester.
Towns
Heading out of the city there is a choice of bustling market towns such as Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton and Wirksworth. Chesterfield with its famous twisted spire is the largest market town in Derbyshire.
Villages
There are many picturesque villages, nestled in tthe unspoilt Derbyshire countryside, some with a long association with the traditional agriculture, while others are steeped in history, having provided homes for miners and quarrymen or have their roots in the Industrial Revolution as people moved from the country to work in the newly developing industries.