Royal Crown Derby Museum
Independent museum of Royal Crown Derby porcelain on the factory site in Derby; currently open to visits by prior appointment only.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Royal Crown Derby story began around 1750, when Andrew Planche set up the first china works in Derby, and it continues today at the factory on Osmaston Road. The museum shares this historic site with the porcelain factory but is run independently by the Royal Crown Derby Museum Charitable Trust, whose mission is to share the stories and experiences linked to Royal Crown Derby and to change how people relate to ceramics.
The collection holds more than 3,500 items of porcelain, mostly made in Derby, many with their own stories or showing changes in style and taste. One well-known piece is a plate designed by the surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The trust also gives talks to clubs and societies, answers public questions about Derby porcelain through an expert service, and works with partners on projects exploring people's own collections.
The museum is no longer open for drop-in visits. The usual tours have stopped, but bespoke tours and research access to the collections can be requested, and since July 2025 a Royal Crown Derby exhibition has been shown at Bamfords Auctioneers in Spondon, Derby.
Highlights
- More than 3,500 items of Derby porcelain
- Plate designed by Salvador Dali
- Exhibition of Royal Crown Derby porcelain at Bamfords Auctioneers in Spondon
- Hands-on talks with bone china for clubs and societies
- Free expert service for identifying Derby porcelain
Permanent exhibition
- Royal Crown Derby porcelain collection – More than 3,500 pieces of mostly Derby-made porcelain, showing changes in style and taste, including a plate designed by Salvador Dali.
- Founded
- 1969
- Operated by
- Royal Crown Derby Museum Charitable Trust
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Derby railway station · 10-min walk
About a 10-minute walk from Derby railway station.
Follow the brown signs from the ring road. Postcode DE23 8JZ.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Museum shop: not available
There is no on-site shop or cafe.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Usual tours are no longer offered. Bespoke tours and research access are possible by enquiry. Face-to-face talks at other venues are hands-on and include a bone china collection. |
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