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Visitor Guide to Matlock in Derbyshire 2022


What to do and what to see in Matlock , Matlock Bath and surrounding area

For information on events in Matlock , Matlock Bath and the surrounding area, please contact the Matlock Tourist Information Centre Tel 01335 343666. Dates and times are likely to change mainly due to the ever changing covid situation.

The Matlock Bath Illuminations are fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent. The show normally runs every Saturday and Sunday in September and October.


Matlock is a town situated in Derbyshire, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, about 20 miles north of Derby. Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire and is home to the Derbyshire County Council, the Derbyshire Dales District Council and Matlock Town Council. Contact information for theser administrative centres is as follows

Derbyshire Dales District Council
Town Hall, Bank Road
Matlock, Derbyshire
DE4 3NN
Tel 01629 761 100

Derbyshire County Council
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3AG
Tel 01629 533190
Email contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk

Matlock Town Council
Imperial Rooms
Imperial Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3NL
Tel 01629 583042
Email: enquiries@matlock.gov.uk

Matlock Visitor Information Point is located at Matlock Station in the Peak Rail shop. The Visitor Information Point provides a range of services which includes Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets, National Express tickets and tickets for local events.

Matlock's Market Hall is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 0730-1600 (approx) with a Farmer’s Market being held on the third Saturday of every month at Park Head, Crown Square in the centre of Matlock. Matlock also holds a Victorian Christmas Weekend and Market in early December consisting of over 150 stalls in two marquees situated in Hall Leys Park.

Information on attractions around Matlock

Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath
Exhibition showing the history of lead mining throughout the Peak District. Visitors can operate rag and chain pumps and climb shafts.
Opening Times
Summer 1st April – 31st October: open every day 10am – 5pm
Winter November 2015, February and March 2019: Wed, Thur and Fri 11am – 3pm, Sat and Sun 11am – 4pm Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Tel 01629 583834
www.peakdistrictleadminingmuseum.co.uk

Gullivers Kingdom, Matlock Bath
Family theme park with rides suitable for young children and Royal Cave
Tel 01629 580540
website www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlock-bath

Matlock Bath Aquarium and Hollogram Gallery, Matlock Bath
Site of original thermal baths, with collection of cold water, tropical and marine fish; Pertrifying Well and Gemstone collection
Tel 01629 583624

Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
Entertainment for the whole family. Cable car rides across the Derwent Valley to the 60 acre sunnit. Exciting underground tours in two famous show caves. Explorers challenge. Displays. Picnic and play areas
Open daily from late March to late October
Tel 01629 582365 www.heightsofabraham.com

Lea Gardens Lea, Matlock
A rare collection of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Alpines and Conifers in a lovely setting. There is a garden shop and a tea room where light lunches are available.
Opening times Late March- June 10am to 5.30pm
Tel 01629 534380
website www.leagarden.co.uk/

Red House Stables, Darley Dale
A working Carriage Museum
Open daily at 10.00
Tel 01629 733583
website http://www.aboutbritain.com/RedHouseStables.htm

For information on food and drink in Matlock and Matlock Bath see Where to eat and drink in the Matlock area

The 2019 Illuminations season at Matlock Bath details not available yet.

Hall Leys Park is in the centre of the town and provides many recreational facilities, including tennis, miniture golf,a miniature railway, bowls, a childrens play area complete with paddling pool and a small boating lake.It's lovely setting also makes it a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Matlock's busy shopping streets.

High Tor, situated between Matlock and Matlock Bath is dominated by a great limestone outcrop which towers almost 400 feet above the river Derwent. High Tor Grounds offer a network of paths enabling visitors to explore the area and experience the spectacular panoramic views from the top of the tor. In 1933 High Tor Grounds were listed as grade11 on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. They were restored by the Derbyshire Dales District Council after falling into disrepair and are maintained by them.

Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock church
Photograph from  Matlock Town
County Offices Matlock
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock Hall Leys Park
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Riber Castle
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock view from Riber
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Matlock View from Riber
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Riber
Photograph from  Matlock Town
Riber


St Giles Church stands on a hill overlooking the town, with some fine views of the Derwent Valley, Riber Castle and the town below. It has a Perp west tower with diagonal buttresses but the rest was rebuilt in the 19th century. It contains a Norman font, some fine stained glass windows and memorials to the Wolley family who lived at Old Riber Hall.

In 1968 the railway between Matlock and Buxton, through the Peak District National Park, was closed leaving only a branch line to Derby. It had been part of the Midland Railways Line from Manchester to London. In 1975 a group of railway enthusiasts formed the Peak Railway Society with the aim of re-opening the line, which it did, between Matlock and Daley Dale in 1991. In 1997 the railway was further extended to a new station at Rowsley South, which now gives passengers a scenic round trip of 8 miles alongside the river Derwent. The railway runs most Sundays throughout the year, Saturdays as well, from April to October and mid week during the summer holidays. For eating out with a difference, the Peak Rail operates the Palative Dining Car Service on selected dates, for Saturday evening meals and Sunday lunches. There are also many other special events throughout the year. For details contact them on 01629 580381, or contact the Matlock Tourist Information Centre.

Until the 1830's Matlock was a hamlet whose principal industry was agriculture with lead mining and quarrying as subsidiary activities. The building of the mills at Cromford, by Richard Arkwrighrt in the late 18th century provided some employment for Matlock people but it was John Smedley, born 1803, who established Hydrotheraphy in Matlock and made it one of the most celebrated centres for the treatment of ailments with water theraphy, in the country.

Smedley built the large building in Matlock Bank, home of the Derbyshire County Council since 1955, and with the arrival of the railway in 1849, Matlock's development as a spa town flourished for the next 100 years. At the turn of the 20th century more than 20 hydro's were operating. Trams use to ferry the visitors up to the hydro's, and Matlock had one of the steepest tramways in the country. The tram lines were taken up in 1927.

Smedley also built Riber Castle, which dominates the hillside above the town as a home for himself. It is now in ruins but until recently, housed a remarkable wildlife centre which specialized in rare and endangered species.

Interest in hydrotheraphy took a down turn with the development of the National Health Service, which never really approved or prescribed to 'fanciful treatments'.

Matlock Tourist Information

How to get to Matlock

By Train
Trains from Derby operate along the scenic Derwent Valley Line to Matlock. Journey time from Derby is just 32 minutes.
Rail Times and fare enquiries National Rail Enquiries (24 hours) 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

By Bus
Main bus services to Matlock include the hourly Transpeak service from Nottingham, Derby, Belper, Bakewell and Buxton, with services every 2 hours from Stockport and Manchester. An hourly bus service also operate from Chesterfield. Services from Sheffield and other local towns also serve Matlock. A good network of Sunday bus services also serve the town. Throughout Matlock, local town bus services operate regularly Monday to Saturday.
For local bus times call Traveline 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.travelineeastmidlands.org.uk

By Car
Situated on the A6, 20 miles north of Derby. Signposted from M1 junction 28 and A6 approach roads.

Car Parks in Matlock

Bank Road
Matlock Station
Dale Road in Matlock
Plenty of free on-street parking in the town centre.

Public toilets in Matlock

Matlock bus station in Bakewell Road
Both ends of Hall Leys Park.

Doctors in Matlock

Lime Grove Medical Centre
Lime Grove Walk
Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3FD
Tel: 01629 581586

The Surgery
8 Imperial Road
Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3NL
Tel: 01629 583465

Dentists in Matlock

Matlock Dental Practice Dale Road Dental Practice 92 Dale Road Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3LU 01629 582218

Pubs in Matlock

Guide to Matlock Pubs

Where to stay in Matlock - Accommodation around Matlock and Matlock Bath

Information on Matlock Bath at Matlock Bath in Derbyshire


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