Darley Abbey offers residents a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Derby city centre, which is just a mile-and-a-half away and has everything from art galleries and cinemas to restaurants, bars, shopping and the main supermarkets. Part of the village is in the catchment area for the highly rated Ecclesbourne School, and Darley Abbey is also served by a good set of primary schools and the Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy. Via Derby, there are excellent rail, bus and road links to the Midlands, the North West, Sheffield, Leeds and London.

Darley Park and the old red-brick mill buildings are two key ingredients giving Darley Abbey its sublime character. The park features a variety of gardens and wildlife areas and boasts the largest collection of hydrangeas in Britain. Darley Park Tearooms provides views across to Derby Cathedral, and in the summer the park hosts an annual rowboat regatta on the Derwent. Nearby, the old mill structures now house a range of small businesses as well as restaurants and cafés, and form part of the Darley Abbey Heritage Trail. With its mature trees, wonderful park, historic homes and the mills, much of Darley Abbey lies in a conservation area, protecting its heritage and beauty for centuries to come.