Abbey ward is a densely populated urban area located immediately to the west and south-west of Derby city centre. To the north, it borders the New Zealand area of Mackworth ward, approximately along the route of the former Friargate railway line. Derby's Outer Ring Road forms the boundary with Littleover and Blagreaves to the west and south-west, while Abbey Street and Burton Road are on the eastern and south-eastern boundary separating Abbey from Arboretum ward. To the south-east, it also borders Normanton. The area is largely residential and contains a mixture of 19th century terraced housing nearer to the city centre along with mid-20th century suburban estates nearer to the ring road.