Pickford's House image

Pickford's House

Tourist attraction Museum

Exhibitions on 18th-century life and historic costume in a local architect's 1770 house and garden. People often mention house, museum, visit, interesting, Derby, staff, tour, Georgian, rooms, exhibition,


Address

41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA, United Kingdom

Website

www.derbymuseums.org

Contact

+44 1332 715181

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (304 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: house (24) museum (19) visit (19) interesting (13) Derby (12) staff (12) tour (9) Georgian (9) rooms (9) exhibition (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Dennis H. 5 years ago on Google • 675 reviews
    Very nice experience visiting this museum, which was called " Beyond the Velvet Rope tour", to see what a Georgian house built in the 1700 really looked like. The whole tour was a real delight with a tour guide dressed in costume of the era and very knowledgeable about the house. The premises is also used for a display of Agatha Christie memorabilia and mystery clues. The tour guide is a must, as you will not learn as much without. There is no entrance fee but they do like a donation. Well worth a visit
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Charlie B. 5 years ago on Google
    Wonderful little museum hidden in Derby. It’s four floors of cute little rooms. All the staff were very friendly and it’s free entry! Even though it’s relatively small for a museum, it’s very good and really cute. There’s a dress up area and play room!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas Müthing (. 1 year ago on Google • 613 reviews
    Great small museum in Derby, focusing on middle class life in this house in the 18th and 19th century (Built by an architect, Joseph Pickford. The various rooms have been re-created (people included) to look like they did back then, and they're full of fascinating details. These occupy mainly the ground floor and the basement. On the upper two floors you can find other exhibitions (currently a temporary one on the hip fashion in Britain in the 1960s), including a permanent display of toy theatres people in the 18th and 19th centuries used to play or re-enact plays with. This seems to be the largest such collection in the world today, there are dozens of them about from different countries. Endlessly fascinating! I enjoyed those a lot. When in the basement, which was basically the kitchen wing of the old house, you can also get into the garden and relax for a while. The museum is free (donations welcome), and you can take photos! Nice volunteers that will provide you with extra information. The museum is about a 10-minute walk from Derby Museum and Art Gallery, 15-20 minutes from the city centre. I promise it'll be worth your while.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Douglas T. 1 year ago on Google
    This is everything a small museum should be. Highly recommend the Carnaby street men's fashion exib and the Toy Theatre exhibition on the top floor. History of the house and it's family are of course also rather special.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 peter E. 1 year ago on Google
    Pickford House Museum Friargate Derby, (next to the old Friargate Railway Station Bridge). This is free (donations on leaving appreciated but not necessary). For the coming months an extra attraction is the "peacock" exhibition, this is a collection of Gents clothing from mainly, Carnaby Street during the 1960's and 1970's. Mainly jackets worn by many people including many pop stars of the day. Well worth a visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 V W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great couture exhibition of 1920's/1930's clothing belonging to Grace Curzon, the Marchioness of Kedleston!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim O. 5 years ago on Google
    The highlight of our day trip 20 /2/19 to Derby. Very welcoming and knowledgeable guides and an interesting little gem not far from the city centre. We had a relaxing sit with a lovely pot of tea and a chat with them after touring the house. Also warmly greeted at Derby Cathedral and just down the road visited Derby art gallery museum currently showing an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci drawings and with the largest collection of Joseph Wright (of Derby) paintings in the world...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chrissie Van M. 6 years ago on Google
    Tucked away a little off the beaten track, this is a real gem of a house museum. The rooms are really tastefully set up, allowing you to appreciate the architecture and a flavour of the house's history (without the tacky feel that often creeps into these things!). The guide that we encountered was extremely knowledgeable and had just the right approach; he offered lots of information and answered all of our questions, without being overbearing. Great that, without having to book any kind of tour, the staff provide this kind of service for visitors. The collections upstairs are a bit more wacky and were less to our taste, but fun all the same!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 I 2 years ago on Google
    First time visiting this place. Very nice to go back in old ages. Definitely worth it to see. Kids loved to see what people lived and their live was. There are also some craft activities for kids.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Muzz A. 4 months ago on Google • 413 reviews
    Truly wonderful piece of history tucked away within walking distance of the City centre.

  • 5/5 kevin m. 1 year ago on Google • 406 reviews
    This is an excellent and interesting georgian house formaly lived in by architect joseph pickford , which has some joseph wright of derby paintings. . Volunteers friendly and knowledgeable, free to enter too. There is a current exhibition on late 60s men's clothing from Carnaby Street, including elton johns jacket. There is also a lovely display of mini theatres. Highly recommended.

  • 4/5 Vanessa B. 4 months ago on Google • 244 reviews
    A lovely place to visit. Free to enter really interesting and period toilets one Edwardian are for public use. Very enjoyable

  • 5/5 Stephen C. 4 months ago on Google • 144 reviews
    Pickford's house is a very interesting Georgian period house that has been restored sympathetically to retain it's many period features . The house is steeped in history and displays many artifacts and items that were in common use in the house during its history . The house is furnished and equipped with period fixtures and fittings and displays most aspects of its inhabitants from the house keeping staff to the gentry who lived there . The house also has various displays which are changed throughout the year and are most interesting , ranging from puppet theatre to 1960 s fashion exhibitions . The entrance is free and donations are greatly appreciated to help maintain the property and fund it's various displays and exhibits . The museum's Victorian puppet theatre exhibition is most interesting and fun and is quite fascinating , and would intrigue the young and the older generation alike , with a life size small stage set background for that ideal photo opportunity as a souvenir ! For you or your family . There are also some colouring pages of replica puppet scenes that one can shade in available upstairs in the puppet room free of charge , which will keep the children happy . The house really is a time capsule and is only a ten minute walk from the city centre , so the next time whilst here in derby why not visit Pickford's house museum and see how people lived in the Georgian and Victorian era right here in the city of derby . A local treasure right here on our doorstep !! .

  • 5/5 Lydia H. 4 months ago on Google • 110 reviews
    We loved our visit here and there was plenty for the children (7 and 4) to see. The member of staff we met on arrival was really friendly and happy to chat and give us a brief outline of what was on offer. Would definitely come back for another visit.

  • 5/5 Steven K. 3 months ago on Google • 75 reviews New
    Free museum, definitely make use of their lovely antique washrooms. A good way to spend 30 min, including a nice gift shop and garden.

  • 5/5 Roy H. 3 months ago on Google • 36 reviews New
    Interesting Georgian house maintained as a museum with the rooms displayed and furnished in keeping with the period. Display of toy theatre in the upper floor. Large garden also open but not practical during our visit in November. Free entry but donations accepted. Staff on hand for Information as necessary.

  • 4/5 Ross B. 1 month ago on Google • 29 reviews New
    Friendly helpful staff. Really interesting to get an insight into how the wealthy lived in 18th century Derby. The toy theatre exhibition was interactive and fun. Work going on at the moment suggest it will soon be even better to visit. All free (with opportunity to make a donation).

  • 5/5 webenable m. 8 months ago on Google
    Hidden gem in Derby Superb Georgian house well worth a visit Highly recommended

  • 4/5 Stephen G. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting house furnished as it was when built for Pickford. Free entry and there is a small car park at rear. We'll worth a visit.

  • 4/5 kerry m. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a lovely time bug hunting the lady was lgreat with my granddaughters

  • 5/5 Brian K. 4 months ago on Google • 24 reviews
    A great museum in a Georgian house, the former home of the architect Joseph Pickford's who had it built in 1770. Great exhibits in period rooms, gardens and on the top floor of the house The Tiny World of Toy Theatre. Free entry, although donations are always welcome and a great place to visit.

  • 5/5 Belinda F. 6 months ago on Google
    I attended a beautiful wedding here however I have visited the museum before and it is absolutely lovely as both a venue to marry or visit for the history. The museum staff were very informative as a tour and attentive as hosts. I can not thank you enough for enabling my daughter and son in law to have the wedding day they deserved and wanted.

  • 4/5 Jean B. 1 year ago on Google
    Free entry, beautifully presented rooms, lovely staff. Goo insight into the life of s Georgian gentleman. Temporary exhibition of Carnaby Street clothes - the peacock male. You can sit a while in a small but pretty garden

  • 5/5 Jane M. 7 months ago on Google
    Brilliant example of a Georgian house and garden. Fabulous newly extended display of toy theatres. Playroom and activity areas for children. A chance for children to dress up too. Interesting temporary exhibition of toy theatres in different artistic styles made by students at the University of Derby. A small gift shop. It's a donations only museum. A great day out for adults and/or children.

  • 5/5 Gee B. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a great experience. A friendly guide gave an interesting talk at the beginning of the visit and was happy to answer questions. I particularly liked the shower (photo), which had vertical rows of pipes with holes in them to ensure a good soaking.

  • 5/5 Martin T. 11 months ago on Google
    Well what a wonderful surprise finding this gem, we were meant to visit kedleston hall, but it was closed. This museum is free, so well presented all of the rooms authentically displaying the period. Other interesting touring displays. Elton John's jacket on loan. Plus the bonus, wonderful staff so interesting and helpful. Explaining where else we should visit. Perfect for all the family

  • 5/5 Arick B. 2 years ago on Google
    We truly enjoyed our visit. There was more to see and read than we expected. We got a nice introduction by one of the employees and then we read through everything. The museum had done a great job recreating rooms. Funny enough, we thought the Edwardian bathroom was amazing. It's even functional! Don't forget the basement and an interesting war time shelter. We wish more people would visit. It's a gem in Derby.

  • 5/5 Sonia H. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit for adults and kids, interesting exhibits and activities

  • 5/5 Ian M. 1 year ago on Google
    Pickfords House was the perfect venue for our wedding. We had a wonderfully intimate and stylish wedding in the Georgian dining room, with a guided tour for the wedding party between the ceremony and dining. The whole experience was excellent from the initial planning though to the big day, and excellent value too.

  • 5/5 Hannah G. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a great venue for smaller weddings. The house and the gardens are beautiful and the formal dining room is ideal for a wedding breakfast. Christine and the team were completely organised from the very beginning, especially considering this was the first wedding to be held at the venue. A license was applied for which allowed us to have the legal ceremony at the venue for the first time ever. The guests also thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It was nice to have something that people wouldn't necessarily expect at a wedding and we really appreciated the effort that the tour guides put into it. Everything went really smoothly on the day, it was nice to not have to stress about anything at all as Kirsty and the team took care of everything for us.

  • 5/5 expatmum 2. 1 year ago on Google
    A really pleasant surprise! Lovely welcome by incredibly friendly and enthusiastic volunteer staff. Half-term Halloween activities also organised for kids and a 60s fashion display. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit (4 year old, mum and grandma!)

  • 1/5 Barry S. 1 year ago on Google
    Took elderly group to this museum after staff at the home were told wheelchair/disabled friendly. No disabled toilets that were accessible only saw 3 rooms on ground floor as no lift to other floors and then a member of staff was sarcastic to a resident that had dementia as she spoke about no toilets on ground floor and he replied "well they didn't think of that in the 18th century" but it was the tone in which it was said. Unless you can climb stairs this is a location to Avoid Only 1 star due to attitude of staff member and lack of disabled facilities after being told wheelchair friendly


Call +44 1332 715181 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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