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Directions to
THE MIDLAND RAILWAY STUDY CENTRE

An aerial view of the Cathedral Quarter of Derby City Centre

The Museum of Making is located in the Silk Mill, which is off Full Street in Derby's City Centre. How you find it will vary depending on whether you are driving or coming by train.

The train is relatively straightforward: The Arriva Service Nos.1 & 1A and the Skylink combine to provide a roughly ten minute frequency bus service from the Station frontage and drop off in the Bus Station (see 🚌 below for the five minute walk from there...)

Walking all the way from the railway station is quite practical and takes about 20 minutes... Turn right out of the station forecourt along Station Approach, admiring the Midland Railway Institute and the North Midland Railway cottages as you do. You will pass the former Midland Railway Engineer's Offices and the detached Architect's offices on your right with the Brunswick and Alexandra pubs on your left. If it is a fine day and you are not in a rush, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and follow the well signposted riverside path for a much more scenic walk. Stay on the west side of the river and the path takes you to the Silk Mill. Otherwise, staying on the street level route, at the Alexandra pub, bear left so that the former MR Enginemen's lodgings (now called Duesbury House) are on your right. This is Siddals Road and is mainly lined with commercial premises. At the very end, the huge Derbion multi-story car park looms up. Continue straight ahead, over the inner ring road at the lights and pass under the car park. You'll spot the bus station on your right as you walk onto The Morledge.

Continue along The Morledge, crossing at the Bus Station (🚌). You'll walk past the front of the Crown Court, onto Corporation Street and past the Council House on your right. Carry straight on, passing the end of Derwent Street and you will find yourself on Full Street. As a quick check the old court and police station will be on the right and the Assembly Rooms multi-storey car park on the left. Past the hotel and Cathedral Green opens out as a grassed area down to the river. Follow the path which heads off behind the statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie opposite the cathedral and you'll find yourself at the Silk Mill and the Museum of Making.

Coming in by car, the best advice is to follow the brown tourist signs which direct to “Assembly Rooms” (or use DE1 3AH on a navigation device). We are able validate parking for any of the three Derby City Council car parks (including the Assembly Rooms), reducing the daily charge to £2.70. Limited parking is available at the Silk Mill itself for ♿️ blue badge holders only.

For most visitors, a very good compromise is to use the two “Park ‘n Ride” services located at the northeast (A61) and southeast (A52 Nottingham) sides of the city.

An aerial view of the Cathedral Quarter of Derby City Centre
A view of the front of the Silk Mil in April 2023