The city of Derby is blessed with a great many wonderful and historic buildings but of these, arguably the most impressive is our beautiful Cathedral, standing proudly on the edge of the city for over 500 years.
Unlike the grand, imposing austerity of most English cathedrals ours is bright and welcoming, the result of a number of rebuilds over the centuriesTraditionally known as the church of All Saints construction began in the 14th century on the site of a much older, pre-conquest, church, although today nothing now remains of that building. The tower was replaced between 1510 and 1530 with the fabulous Perpendicular edifice we see today and is reputed to be the second highest church tower in England. This beautiful structure is also renowned for holding the oldest ring of ten bells in the world, dating from the 17th century

By the early years of the 18th century the church was beginning to fall into significant disrepair and so the vicar Michael Hutchinson, had it demolished, fortunately sparing the tower. It is said that Hutchinson decided unilaterally to do this and had the building demolished overnight, leaving the corporation with no choice but to begin fundraising for its replacement
The renowned architect James Gibbs was commissioned to provide the replacement and the Neo-classical interior he created is a beautifully light and airy space, so unlike most other buildings of this type. In 1927, with the population of the town expanding All Saints was hallowed, becoming Derby Cathedral on 28th October. An extension was planned to better equip it for this task designed by Sir Ninian Comper, however this plan was never realised due to the restrictions and austerity of the war years. Instead a revised version was built in 1966 to the designs of Ninian's son Sebastian 
The front of the cathedral is graced by some beautiful wrought iron gates, the work of the renowned local craftsman Robert Bakewell which once formed the entrance to a now demolished private house on nearby St Mary's Gate. More of Bakewell's work can be found inside the Cathedral where he created the magnificent screen encompassing the Royal Coat of Arms of King George II 
The Cathedral is also home to a large number of funerary monuments, a number of which pre-date the current building, presumably being transferred from the previous cathedral . There are a number from the 17th century, however the oldest is probably the wooden carving known as the 'effigy'. Carved to portray someone in the Canonical robes of All Saint's Church it is thought to date from about 1527 and is unusual in being carved from wood instead of the usual stone One of the most well known monuments in the building is that of Elizabeth 'Bess' of Hardwick, founder of the Cavendish dynasty of which the Dukes of Devonshire are one significant branch. Bess designed the monument herself and had it made in time for her death. Beneath the church lies the Cavendish family crypt where many of the family are interred

The Corporation PewSitting opposite the Mayor’s Pew is one representing the City of Derby. Created in 1972 by Anthony New it incorporates a number of symbols to represent the city as well as areas further afield. A full list can be seen in the Cathedral

The Cathedral is also home to a large number of funerary monuments, a number of which pre-date the current building, presumably being transferred from the previous cathedral . There are a number from the 17th century, however the oldest is probably the wooden carving known as the 'effigy'. Carved to portray someone in the Canonical robes of All Saint's Church it is thought to date from about 1527 and is unusual in being carved from wood instead of the usual stone