Skipping the postcard-perfect stops in the Cotswolds everyone talks about turned out to be the best travel decision.
The historic market towns and tucked-away villages of Derbyshire are pure autumn magic — without the crowds or the contrived charm.
There’s something deeply grounding about these places — an honesty that big-name destinations can’t fake.
It’s not curated beauty; it’s lived-in, working, and quietly proud of it. Autumn strips everything back to essentials, and that’s where these towns and villages shine. They’re not trying to impress. They just are. And that’s exactly what makes them better.
Here’s our gallery of top autumn spots to visit in Derbyshire:
17. Wirksworth chosen by expert judges
Wirksworth is a highly rated Derbyshire market town, recently named by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in Derbyshire. With its grand stone buildings, pretty alleys and cobblestone streets, it is easy to see why. Its grand literary connections also include DH Lawrence who lived and wrote in Wirksworth. | Brian Eyre