Friends' Derby Cathedral Visit - 19 May 2026

The Friends had an interesting visit to Derby Cathedral on Tuesday 19th May 2026. Worship has been offered to God on the site for over a thousand years. The first Church on this site was dedicated to All Saints and was founded by King Edmund of Wessex in 943.

The first thing that strikes you as you enter the Cathedral is the wrought-iron screen crafted by Robert Bakewell and spanning the width of the Cathedral. You can see part of that on our group photo. The Cathedral has a memorial to Florence Nightingale and Bess of Hardwick, Elizabeth Countess of Shrewsbury who is interred in a vault there. Bess was one of England’s wealthiest women, second only to Queen Elizabeth 1. The Baldacchino is erected over the main altar to signify its importance and create a focal point for the congregation.

After our tour we headed to the Joiners Arms in Quarndon for lunch where we were seated in the Garden Room, bedecked with tiny white lights over numerous trees. We would recommend this pub if you are in the area as the food was amazing and very reasonably priced.

Then on to Kedleston Hall for the afternoon. This is an 18th Century Mansion with Robert Adams interiors, colonial history and vast parklands. It was commissioned in 1750 by Nathaniel Curzon whose ancestors had resided in Kedleston village since the 12th century.

The house was designed for entertaining starting with the huge columned entrance hall setting the scene. The rooms are filled with a lavish collection of paintings, sculpture and furnishings. It was inherited by George Nathaniel Curzon who became Viceroy of India between 1899 and 1905 which is reflected in the collection of objects from during his time in S Asia and the Middle East.

The Church, in the grounds was first mentioned in a document dated 1198 and it was the village Church of Kedleston. The village was cleared after the Hall was begun in 1759 leaving only the Church where Curzon ancestors are buried.The Church contains several monuments and effigies to members of the Curzon family. The stained glass is mainly 19th/early 20th century.

After a packed day we headed home in the rain.

Pamela

See a slideshow below of photos by Tony and Martin for photos from Derby Cathedral and Kedleston Hall and church.