IF you visit Derby this festive time you may not discover the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future but this city is not affectionately known as the ‘dead centre of Britain’ for nothing.

It is officially the most haunted city in the country with more than 315 sightings of ghosts and Derby Gaol is often at the centre.

Charles Dickens, who created Christmas Carol with Scrooge and his ghosts, visited Derby twice in his lifetime and both as a celebrated author but it’s not known whether he was inspired by hauntings when he wrote his festive classic.

There are a number of ghost tours around Derby which can be booked including a city centre walk which starts from the Shakespeare Inn in Sadlergate and promises walkers tales of the Black Death, brutal murders and hauntings.

The Friar Gate Ghost Walk – or the Hangman’s Walk – starts at the Gaol in Agard Street and takes visitors on a tour of churches, inns and pubs taking in stories of ghosts, executions, hauntings and murders ending with a condemned man’s supper at the Gaol.

For the bravehearted, there are also opportunities to stay overnight at Derby Gaol owned by Richard Felix, of TV’s Most Haunted.

But on a lighter note, of course Christmas time is also Panto time and at Derby's Assembly Rooms you can find an adventure paved with gold – oh yes you can! Paul Nicholas and Linda Robson star in Dick Whittington and his Cat until January 8.

And that’s not forgetting the specific festive fun events planned for the city or the shopping malls where you can get last minute gifts or spend any vouchers you receive on December 25!

So whether you fancy going on a ghost hunt, being a ghost buster or simply enjoying the festive period in an historic city, we’ve picked out a top 10 of things to do, places to stay or eat.

1. Ice Rink – open until January 8 it’s set to be the coolest place to be this Christmas and New Year! With real ice and an onsite café.

Ice Rink, Market Place, Derby.

2. Westfield Derby and Cathedral Quarter; ready to hit the shops after hours on the sofa over Christmas. We’ve joined these together as they are already linked with St Peter’s Quarter connecting Cathedral Quarter to Westfield Derby and together they provide hundreds of stores from old town to one of the UK’s top shopping centres.

Westfield Derby, West Mall, Derby, DE1 2PQ T: 01332 366383

Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 3FJ T: 01332 419053

3. Breadsall Priory – a Marriott Hotel and Country Club in a 13th century mansion which dates back to 1260. Featuring 300 acres of idyllic landscape, two golf courses plus a spa – a getaway from it all. On the edge of Derby it’s recently undergone a £1.8m renovation to the lobby, leisure club, restaurant and bar.

Breadsall Priory, Moor Road, near Derby, DE7 6DL T: 01332 832235

4. Kedleston Hall – time to walk off the extra Christmas fare? Head for Kedleston Hall park open from January 2. Used as location for The Duchess – the Hollywood blockbuster, the Hall itself is an example of the work of architect Robert Adam.

Kedleston Hall, near Quarndon, Derby, DE22 5JH T: 01332 842191.

5. Old Silk Mill – winner of the Derby CAMRA City Pub of the Year 2011. Derby CAMRA chairman Gareth Stead said: “The transformation of the Old Silk Mill over the last two years from a closed, run-down pub into a thriving city centre, traditional boozer has been nothing short of remarkable and credit must be given to Terry & Janina Holmes and their staff for bringing this pub back to life again.”

Old Silk Mill, 19 Full Street, Derby, DE1 3AF T: 01332 369748

6. The Babington Arms – one of two runners up in the Derby CAMRA City Pub of the Year category. A Wetherspoon pub once part of the gardens behind the long-demolished Babington House. The Babington family’s coat of arms showed two baboons on a large beer or wine cask!

The Babington Arms, 11-13 Babington Lane, Derby, DE1 1TA T: 01332 383647

7. Horse & Groom – the second runner up in the Derby CAMRA City Pub of the Year category. It describes itself as a community pub in the heart of Derby ‘specialising in bringing people together’.

Horse & Groom, 48 Elms Street, Derby, DE1 3HN T: 01332 384775

8. Fischer’s Baslow Hall – okay not in Derby itself but this award winning restaurant – including a Michelin star – is difficult to omit. Baslow Hall is a 45 minute drive away and stands at the top of a winding chestnut tree lined driveway on the edge of Baslow and close to the Chatsworth Estate and the market town of Bakewell.

Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Calver Road, Baslow, Derbyshire, DE45 1RRT: 01246 583259

9. Darleys Restaurant & Terrace – Derby Restaurant of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011 plus holds two AA rosettes and is Michelin recommended. Set on the edge of the River Derwent, owners Kathryn and Jonathan Hobson fully refurbished the premises in January 2009.

Darleys Restaurant & Terrace, Waterfront, Darley Abbey Mill, Darley Abbey, Derby, DE22 1DZ T: 01332 364987

10. Restaurant Zest – European Restaurant of the Year in Derby Food and Drink Awards 2010 it offers European and British cuisine. It also has recommended status in Hardens Guide and the Good Food Guide. It is housed in converted former stables.

Restaurant Zest, 16d George Street, Friar Gate, Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 1EH T: 01332 381101