Steam trains, carving and street food: fill your hiking boots in Derby and the Derwent Valley

While browsing Derby's new Museum of Making, my guide led me to his favorite object: a copy of John Flamsteed's Atlas Coelestis, a large catalog of stars, defining to set the longitude. Flamsteed was appointed the first Astronomer Royal in 1675 and began life as an astronomer here in Derby before moving to Greenwich. "And if he had kept his old calculations?" We could have Derby Mean Time! said the guide.

Although often overlooked, this East Midlands hub has long been a key player in Britain's technological advancement. The Manufacturing Museum itself is built on the site of what is widely believed to be the world's first factory (opened in 1721). Inside now lies a treasure trove of eclectic treasures showcasing Derby's creative heritage, from a seven-tonne Rolls Royce engine to a Midland Railway pen holder - and it's all very practical. "It's like an open cellar to which you are given the key", explains my guide.