Museums & discovery
Derby Museum & Art Gallery
Art and museum collections, including works by Joseph Wright of Derby.
Free general admission
Plan your visitFamily days out in Derby
Compare free museum entry, a Georgian house and outdoor playground visits in Derby.
Pick art, domestic history or outdoor play
Derby Museum & Art Gallery is the indoor collection-and-art option. Pickford’s House explores home life through period rooms and toy theatres, with a garden outside. Markeaton Park is the walk-and-play choice; Mundy’s playground includes toddler equipment and an inclusive pirate-ship unit. Pick the experience that fits your children rather than treating all free-entry options as interchangeable.
Plan for the right day
Both museums close Mondays, while Pickford’s House also closes Sundays. The Museum & Art Gallery has shorter Sunday hours. Markeaton’s free playground is available daily, but mini golf and seasonal activities follow separate schedules. The paddling pool usually runs from late May to early September, so autumn visits should centre on walks and dry play.
Compare travel costs and facilities
Pickford’s House lists free visitor parking, while the Museum & Art Gallery advertises a validated discount at named nearby car parks. Markeaton and Mundy’s published cashless tariff is £4.60 for up to four hours, with machine prices potentially different. Pickford’s House has partial wheelchair access and no accessible toilet; the main museum is wheelchair accessible. Choose the venue and route around the facilities your family needs.
| Place | Admission snapshot | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Derby Museum & Art Gallery | Free general admission | Indoor |
| Pickford’s House | Free entry · free visitor parking | Indoor & outdoor |
| Markeaton Park & Mundy Play | Free playground · paid parking and activities | Outdoor |
Plan a visit
History & heritage
Pickford’s House
A Georgian house museum with period rooms, toy theatres and a garden.
Free entry · free visitor parking
Closed Sundays and Mondays. Wheelchair access covers only part of the house, and no accessible toilet is listed. Checked 1 October 2026.
Plan your visitNature & play
Markeaton Park & Mundy Play
Park walks, gardens and children’s play, with optional seasonal activities.
Free playground · paid parking and activities
Water play is seasonal; do not plan an autumn visit around the paddling pool. Optional activities have separate opening schedules.
Plan your visitThis guide uses published visitor information, not first-hand visits. Prices are snapshots; follow each listing’s official source links for dates, eligibility and access details.