Welcome to Matlock & Matlock Bath

Things to do in Matlock & Matlock Bath in the Peak District & Derbyshire

Matlock

Once famed for its hydro and spa treatments, Matlock's central location, scenic surroundings and public transport links make it a popular base for exploring the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Pioneering industrialist John Smedley developed the attractive market town as a fashionable spa in the 19th century, and his legacy lives on in buildings such as Smedley's Hydro (now the offices of Derbyshire County Council) and Gothic-style Riber Castle. His name is also familiar to customers of world-renowned knitwear manufacturers John Smedley at nearby Lea Bridge, who export high-quality menswear and womenswear across the globe.

Crown Square and the River Derwent lie at the heart of Matlock, and the award-winning Hall Leys Park with its boating lake, riverside walks, tennis courts and skateboard park is a scenic option for a leisurely stroll.

Small, independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants cluster around Crown Square and along the A6, while a rail link to Derby and bus services to Derby, Manchester and other towns and villages in the area are a boon for visitors wanting to explore further afield.

Matlock Bath

1.5 miles south of Matlock, Matlock Bath was developed as one of the country's first tourist destinations and is sometimes referred to as 'the seaside town without the sea'. Known for its colourful buildings set alongside the River Derwent, it's been a popular tourist destination since the late 17th century when spa waters were discovered here. Its heyday was in Victorian, times when it became known as "Little Switzerland" by the poet, Lord Byron.

A popular destination for families, bikers and fun seekers, there are plenty of things to do and see in Matlock Bath. There is wide a variety of accommodation available for overnight stays and with good transport links it is a popular destination for a day trip. The Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular feature from September to the end of October, when the riverside is decorated and the cliffs floodlit to create a magical scene of colour. At weekends during the Illuminations there are parades of decorated boats, entertainments and, on certain dates, firework displays. The displays were even once admired by Princess (later Queen) Victoria!

The Riverside Gardens and Lovers Walks along Giddy Edge offer gentle strolls away from the crowds, and nearby High Tor affords spectacular views from its lofty summit.

Nearby villages:

• Darley Dale is centred around the church of St Helen's and close to the river Derwent. The development of the village owes much to Sir Joseph Whitworth, a wealthy industrialist, who lived at Stancliffe Hall. His legacy includes the Whitworth Centre, which incorporates a hotel, council offices, sports and leisure facilities and adjoining parkland. In the churchyard is the famous old yew tree; with a girth of 33ft. it is one of the thickest in the country. Over the river from the picturesque Darley Bridge is Oker Hill, a fine vantage point to view the Derwent Valley.
• Riber is a tiny medieval hilltop hamlet overshadowed by the imposing shell of Riber Castle. Local entrepreneur John Smedley had the castle built here, and it has been a landmark for miles around since 1862.
• Two Dales is a hamlet whose name probably comes from the twin valleys of Hall Dale and Sydnope Dale, which run on either side of the village. Once known as Toadhole until 1850, Two Dales was a thriving community on the main Chesterfield to Bakewell route, the main industry was established at the Ladybrook Mill by the Dakeyne family which first produced flax and then later lace and then animal feed. The mill was water powered by 3 reservoirs lying in the valley which now provides pleasant walks through quiet woods. The Dakeyne family were responsible for much of the prosperity of Two Dales. The Smith family owned the nurseries in the area, and one of the Smith family bought the Red House in 1939 which became a riding school, renowned over the world as a carriage driving school and a museum.