Potted history of village with a name that's now world famous

WHAT'S IT GOT GOING FOR IT?

It's hard to talk about Denby without mentioning pots.

That's hardly surprising as the Denby Pottery Company has been making its world-famous stoneware on the Denby factory site for more than 200 years.

But, as locals will testify, the Denby area brings a lot more to the table than its highly coveted crockery range.

It's home to one of the oldest parish churches in Britain and is also the birthplace of John Flamsteed, England's first Royal Astronomer.

Well connected via the A38, it's an easy commute to Derby, Ripley and Belper and has properties to suit a range of tastes and budgets.

Four-bedroom detached houses start at £225,000, a three-bed semi costs from between £117,000 and £150,000 and a two-bed terrace could be yours for less than £100,000.

EATING OUT

Denby's two pubs, Denby Lodge and The Bulls Head, both serve food and real ale.

Denby Lodge is renowned throughout Derbyshire for its steaks and sources all its meat from local butchers. It also has a large beer garden.

Bourne's Restaurant at Denby Visitor Centre offers a range of snacks and light lunches – all served on Denby's stoneware, naturally. Its famous Homity pie is a big hit with vegetarians.

HANGING OUT

Support local industry by adding to your tableware collection at Denby Visitor Centre's factory shop or gift shops.

Witness first-hand how Denby pottery is made by taking a guided factory tour – or a craft room tour if you're with children. You'll get the chance to make your own clay souvenir and paint glaze on a Denby plate.

You can also watch a free 30-minute cookery demonstration in the centre's 50-seater kitchen theatre.

If astronomy and local history are more your thing, then take a look at the John Flamsteed Memorial Garden and its stellasphere, which plots the current position of stars and planets.

Across the road is St Mary the Virgin Church, which dates from the 12th century and is one of only a few smaller English parish churches to have six bells.

For sporty types there's a local rec and skate park, while The Denby Institute offers football, bowls, dancing and even a boxing training room. If you swim, work out or play racquet sports, there are leisure centres in Belper, Ripley and Heanor.

SHOPPING

Denby has a newsagent and village grocery store at opposite ends of the village but that's about it.

Ripley, Heanor and Belper and their range of shops and local amenities are only a 10-minute drive away, though.

SCHOOLS

Younger children go to Denby Free Church of England VA Primary School. For those of secondary school age there's John Flamsteed School, named after Denby's most prominent son and rated "good" by Ofsted.

TRAVEL

Situated just off the A38 and only eight miles north of Derby city centre, Denby's quite well connected considering its fairly rural setting.

There are regular bus services to Derby and Langley Mill station is just 10 minutes' drive for trains to Derby, Nottingham Leeds and beyond.