Pickford's House

About the museum

Pickford's House at 41 Friar Gate was built in the 1760s by Joseph Pickford, one of the leading architects of 18th-century Derbyshire, as both his family home and a showpiece for his work. It is a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse and one of the best examples of his domestic design.

After the architect's death, the house passed to his son and was extended and divided into two properties in 1812. It later changed hands several times and was owned by a series of professional families, including surgeons. Derby City Council bought the house in 1982, and it opened as a museum of Georgian domestic life in 1988. Since 2012 it has been run by Derby Museums Trust.

Today the museum shows how a professional family lived in the late Georgian period. Period rooms illustrate domestic life from the 18th to the 20th centuries, from the family bedroom to the kitchens and a cellar fitted out as a wartime shelter. The top floor has a display of model and toy theatres, including the Frank Bradley collection, and the restored Georgian garden at the back is open to visitors.

Highlights

• Grade I listed Georgian townhouse designed by Joseph Pickford
• Period rooms showing domestic life from the 18th to the 20th century
• The Tiny World of Toy Theatre on the top floor
• Georgian garden
• Costume displays and a wartime cellar shelter

Permanent exhibitions

• Period rooms – Room settings showing domestic life from the 18th to the 20th century in the former showcase and family home of the architect.
• The Tiny World of Toy Theatre – Toy and model theatres from the Frank Bradley and Anthony Denning collections and the work of practising toy theatre makers.
• Gardens – The Georgian garden behind the house, whose layout can be traced to the middle of the 19th century.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Derby Museums Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the historic building, wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor, the lower ground floor and the garden. There are no accessible toilets at this site. The visitor entrance is to the right of the building, up a ramp; the front door is opened only for special events. An access statement and a picture story are published on the Derby Museums website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The shop sells traditional children's toys, and the top floor is devoted to toy theatres. A learning programme for families, young people and schools across the three Derby museums.

Getting there & parking

Satnav postcode DE1 1DA for the house (DE1 1DZ for the car park). The house is on cycle routes 54 and 68; ask staff about bicycle parking on arrival.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small shop in the Brewhouse on the lower ground floor, with traditional children's toys, souvenirs and gifts inspired by the garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The dining room, the garden and a gallery space can be hired for dinners, garden parties and meetings. Contact: venuehire@derbymuseums.org.

Plan your visit