Skip to content
Huddlepin
Indoors

Derby Theatre

Derby, 0.2 miles from the city centreAges 0+
Courtesy of Derby Theatre

BEST FOR

Ages 0+

SETTING

Indoors

WHERE

Derby

What it’s like

A city centre theatre with family shows for under 5s upwards, plus youth theatre groups and proper access support.

This is a proper working theatre rather than a soft play with a stage bolted on, so what's on matters more than the building itself. They put on family productions and pieces aimed specifically at under 5s, so you can find something that suits a toddler who won't sit still as well as a seven-year-old who's ready for a longer show. There's also a Youth Theatre for 8 to 19 year olds and a Deaf Youth Theatre for 10 to 16 year olds, if your kids fancy being on the stage rather than watching it.

The access side is properly thought through rather than bolted on afterwards. Touch Tours run 75 minutes before certain performances and are included in your ticket price, and there are Access Tables with props and costume swatches to handle before the show starts. Step free access, lift access to all floors, and wheelchair spaces in both the main auditorium and the Studio mean you're not fighting the building on top of everything else.

Timing needs a bit of thought. The box office counter runs Monday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4pm, later on performance days, but on Sundays and bank holidays it only opens 90 minutes before a show starts. The café serves food until 2:30pm most days, with the bar only opening on performance days, so if you're planning food around an evening show, eat before you go rather than counting on the bar for anything more than a drink.

Parking is straightforward if unglamorous: the Derbion Basement Car Park sits directly below the theatre, with NCP on Siddals Road as a backup. If you're coming by train, it's about a 10 minute walk from Derby station, and the bus station is closer still at 5 minutes to the Derbion entrance.

What’s on here

Facilities

Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Booking required
Café

Need to know

Best for
Under 5s upwards, with youth theatre for ages 8 to 19
Parking
Derbion Basement Car Park (DE1 2PL) directly below theatre
Food
Café and Bar offering hot and cold food and beverages, with food service 10am-2:30pm on most days
Wheelchairs
Designated wheelchair spaces in main auditorium and Studio
Getting there by bus or train
Derby Railway Station approximately 10 minutes walk
  • Touch Tours run 75 minutes before select performances and are included in the ticket, but places are limited so book ahead
  • The bar only opens on performance days, not for daytime visits
  • Assisted Access Scheme gives a free companion ticket if you need one
  • Ticket exchanges cost £2.50 per ticket, and refunds aren't offered if you can't make it

Plan your visit

What age is it suitable for?

There are shows for under 5s as well as family productions, so it depends what's on. The Youth Theatre groups are for ages 8 to 19.

Do we need to book ahead?

Booking isn't required in the sense of it being essential, but Touch Tours have limited places and need booking in advance if you want one.

What time does the box office open?

Monday to Saturday it's 10:30am to 4pm, later on performance days. Sundays and bank holidays it opens 90 minutes before the performance starts.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes, the Derbion Basement Car Park is directly below the theatre, with NCP on Siddals Road as an alternative. There's blue badge parking in the Derbion Basement too.

Can we get food there?

The café serves hot and cold food, with food service running until 2:30pm on most days. The bar only opens on performance days.

Is it accessible for wheelchairs?

There's step free access throughout, lift access to all floors, and wheelchair spaces in both the main auditorium and the Studio. Accessible toilets on Level 1 have an overhead hoist.

What if my child is sensitive to loud noise or bright lights?

Relaxed Performances are adapted with house lights kept low, sound effects reduced, and you're free to leave the auditorium and use the chill out space during the show.

Featured in 1 Huddlepin list

104HUDDLEPIN LISTRainy-day savioursIndoors, warm and dry, for the days the weather lets you down.

See all Theatres & Shows in Derby · Things to do in Derby

MAKE A DAY OF IT

While you’re there

Paradise Island Adventure Golf Derby

Paradise Island Adventure Golf Derby

0.1 mi · from £6

Modern café interior with dining table, potted plants, pendant lights and large windows overlooking a city street.

BEAR Derbion

0.1 mi

Overhead arrangement of sliced tomatoes with basil, olive oil bottles, crackers and bread on wooden board with striped linen.

Carluccio's Derby

0.1 mi