Arty apprentice Zara likes to check out the exhibitions across trentbartonland, hopping on the red arrow she can easilly get between her home town of Nottingham to Derby and then further afield to pretty Ashfield, a hot-spot for arts and crafts. There’s also plenty of arts events in her calander that are easilly reachable by bus.
Here’s her perfect day out checking out what’s on in Nottingham before catching red arrow to Derby and swift to Ashbourne.
boho Nottingham
Bohemian Nottingham has always plenty going on with it’s large student population. Zara always checks out what’s on at Nottingham Contemporary in the Lace Market and the Surface Gallery just off Sneinton Market (which is also home to some great independent shops, cafe’s and Bustler Food Hall).
Lakeside Arts, set within the scenic Nottingham University campus is also a favourite destination and has held exhibitions of works by Grayson Perry and recently Andy Warhol - catch indigo every 10 mins from Friar Lane.
Zara then catches red arrow to Derby, it runs every 10 minutes between Nottingham and Derby bus station and takes just 35 minutes.
historic Derby
For a small city Derby still has a thriving arts scene. Derby Museum & Art Gallery is well worth a visit, with its large collection of local 18th Century artist Joseph Wright (although be aware some of the collection is currently on loan). There’s also fantastic porcelain, military, natural history, and world collections. The TOASTED Ceramic Fair, held yearly is a great place to pick up some hand crafted work.
Cinema buffs will want to check out indie cinema QUAD, which also houses a gallery and regularly holds workshops, talks, life drawing sessions and film festivals.
From Derby Zara like to hop on swift, running every 30 mins to pretty Ashbourne.
lively Ashbourne
Ashbourne may be most famous for it’s Shrovetide ‘medieval’ football match but it’s also a quaint market town with lots of arts and crafts shops and galleries. Zara always makes sure to visit Courtney Gallery and art cafe, who often host events by local artists and Taurean Arts, whose works include sculptures by Ian Palmer and abstract art by Ronald Pope.
It’s also a great place to grab a bite to eat or a pint, Zara recommends Bear or Rabbit & Stitch for brunch or the Machine Inn for a classy meal with friends.
Zara's not to be missed 2026 events
11 April-16 May, Derbyshire Makes Festival: A six-week celebration of making and heritage, featuring, exhibitions, performances, and workshops across six locations: Cromford Mills (11 April, get there on the sixes), Chesterfield (18 April, get there on the comet), Swadlincote (25 April), Heanor (2 May, get there on rainbow one and H1), Glossop (9 May), and Bolsover (16 May).
3-4 May, Belper Arts Trail: Find artists, makers and creatives all over the town centre area in many different venues - displaying, performing and demonstrating. Grab a wristband and enjoy a weekend of art, live music and theatre. Get there on the sixes from Derby.
18 July-7 August, Beyond van Gogh & Beyond Monet (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham): Immerse yourself in the worlds of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet - not just their paintings, but their vision. This immersive exhibition uses sweeping projections, vibrant colour and stirring music to breathe new life into their masterpieces.
11-20 September, Wirksworth Festival: A must for art lovers, over the weekend of 12-13 September the whole town becomes a giant gallery with exhibitions in peoples homes, over 140 artists & makers will exhibiting and selling their work in more than 70 venues. Get there on the sixes from Derby.