Lara Croft: 30 Years On gets Derby preview on 23 July

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-21 13:55 2 min read

A woman dressed as Lara Croft drinks from a glass inside a dimly lit bar.

Original development material from Core Design will return to the city where Lara Croft began when a 30th-anniversary exhibition receives its first public preview in Derby. Museum Lates: Loading… Lara Croft: 30 Years On – First Chance to See takes place at Pickford’s House on Thursday 23 July 2026, from 5pm to 7pm.

Admission costs £10, including a drink on arrival. The preview is open to the general public and is likely to be of particular interest to Tomb Raider fans. Tickets are available to book through the event listing.

What visitors will see at the preview

The evening provides early access to Lara Croft: 30 Years On – From Derby to Global Icon before the exhibition officially opens. Its exhibits include original development materials loaned by former Core Design developers, as well as memorabilia and collectables drawn from private collections.

Together, those objects focus attention on Lara Croft’s development in Derby and her subsequent emergence as a globally recognised video-game character. The exhibition has been co-curated with local collector Luke Earle and is supported by Tomb Raider Derby and Visit Derby.

Lara Croft: 30 Years On gets Derby preview on 23 July

This first-look format means the 23 July event is separate from an ordinary visit after the exhibition opens. The £10 ticket covers exclusive access during the two-hour preview and the arrival drink. Costume is encouraged, although the listing does not make it a condition of admission.

Why the Derby setting matters

The preview connects the exhibition’s subject directly with the place where the character was developed. Rather than presenting only later merchandise or collectables, it brings material from former Core Design developers together with privately held items in one display.

For local visitors, that creates a chance to examine Derby’s role in the character’s history through surviving development material. For established fans, the main distinction is access before the official opening, with the anniversary theme and optional costume element forming part of the evening.

Date, venue and booking details

Detail	Confirmed information
Date and time	Thursday 23 July 2026, 5pm–7pm
Venue	Pickford’s House, 41 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1DA
Admission	£10, including a drink on arrival
Booking	Tickets offered through the Visit Derby Events listing
Organiser	Derby Museums

Visit Derby Events supplies no event-specific transport arrangements or accessibility provisions. It directs readers to Derby Museums’ general accessibility information, but visitors who need details for this particular evening should check with the venue before booking.

Pickford’s House can be contacted on 01332 641901. Visit Derby Events advises visitors to verify arrangements directly with the event host before making bookings or travel plans, as published event information may change.

Source: Visit Derby Events

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The date, time, venue, admission price and exhibition contents were checked against the Visit Derby Events listing.

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Confirmed the event date as 23 July 2026 and the time as 5pm to 7pm.
Confirmed the venue as Pickford’s House, 41 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1DA.
Confirmed the £10 ticket price includes a drink on arrival.
Confirmed that original Core Design materials, memorabilia and private collectables are li...

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