Inside the village with award-winning restaurants where 'everyone just seems happy'

If you commute to and from work on a daily basis, whether it's by car, train, on the bus, or another way, there are probably places you pass through every day without ever thinking of stopping for a look around. But if you take the time to stop and look around you could be surprised by the delights on offer.

Derbyshire Live writer Oscar Fisher decided to stop off on his way home between Derby and Belper in the little village of Duffield - and said he was "blown away" by what he found. Parking on King Street in front of a pretty row of cottages, Oscar took a short walk into the village centre, and was impressed by what he found.

He said: "I was quick to realise that the village clearly takes care of itself - and the row of shops and businesses along the high street are a perfect example of that.

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"Colourful bunting fills the skies above the road all year round, neat planters and flowers are scattered along the pavements, and a few ivy-clad buildings create a mise-en-scène rarely seen away from tales of a traditional Britain."

The high street features everything you'd expect from the archetypical Derbyshire village - shops, a pub, and a few restaurants and salons.

The well-reviewed Indian restaurant The Viceroy can also be found along the banks of the Ecclesbourne of Tamworth Street, and the Pattenmakers Arms on Crown Street serves traditional British food.

Duffield is also home to Angelo's at The King's Head, which was votedDerbyshire's best Italian restaurant by Derbyshire Live readers last year.

Oscar said: "Opened by Angelo Carrieri, who moved to Derbyshire from Salerno on the Amalfi Coast, the restaurant showcases the best of traditional Italian food, comprising classic ingredients to offer an authentic Italian experience for visitors.

"It sits next to The Stolen Fig, formerly The Fat Mermaid, which was recently taken over by restaurateur Connie Eleftheriou, best known for his successes at the Bubble Inn at Stenson, who said he 'knew he'd like it' in the village after taking a short walk with his wife, Jo, before opening the restaurant."

Duffield also offers a tennis club, a nature reserve, a cricket club, a golf course, and even the remains of a historic castle. The village's arts festival, featuring a spectacular scarecrow trail, is also a popular annual highlight.

Oscar met Susan Hardy, 74, who has lived on Hazelwood Road for more than three decades and said it is a "wonderful" place to live after moving from her native Nottingham.

She said: "It's gorgeous in the summer and there are some fantastic buildings everywhere you look.

"I love being so close to the countryside, that was a huge draw for me, but it's also not too far away from shops and cafes.

"I walk the same route every morning over the River Derwent and its always so calm, and I grab a coffee or a pastry from Birds on the way home.

"In the evening, we have The White Hart on the main road and also lots of restaurants tucked away. I don't have a car, so it's just perfect for getting the train and the buses run along the main road."

Duffield is also home to Derbyshire's best-performing school, The Ecclesbourne School, which sits a short walk away from the high street.

Janet Caygill, originally from Derby, said the villagers "always seem happy". The 62-year-old said: "I've lived in Duffield for nearly 10 years now and moving here was the best decision we ever made.

"We used to live in Allestree, which was great, and very similar, if I'm honest, but we found a perfect home here that was a little smaller as our kids were moving out.

"It's still not far for me to travel to Derby for work a few days a week, but you feel like you're part of a village community here.

"Everyone just seems happy. You see the same people every day and stop for a chat.

"We also have two dogs, so we're always out meeting people. We go and watch the cricket on weekends and also enjoy going to the pub, but our favourite is around the corner in Makeney."

And that "favourite" around the corner is the Holly Bush Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Derbyshire that was named among the top 25 bars in Europe last year. Oscar particularly recommended the pub's scotch egg, which he said was "to die for".

Summing up his visit, Oscar said: "Overall, the people of Duffield seem like a happy bunch, and I'm sure visitors to the village would emerge with a broad smile should they decide to try it out.

"Whether it's a quick countryside walk taking advantage of the flat landscape, a history trip at Duffield Castle or a fancy bite to eat at one of the many pubs and restaurants, the hidden gem village is certainly one of Derbyshire's best."