Matlock Bath

Known as “Little Switzerland” to generations of tourists, Matlock Bath began its life as a craggy limestone gorge cut by the River Derwent. Developed as one of the country’s first tourist destinations, it retains much of the character and interest that impressed early visitors. Matlock Bath was formed as a Spa Town, famous for its healing waters.

A turnpike road built in 1818, and the coming of the railways in 1849, brought Malock Bath within cheap and easy reach  to many more people an it became a popular destination for day excursions. Many famous people have visited the town, including the young Victoria before she succeded to the throne. Lord Byron confirmed its romantic character, comparing it with alpine Switzerland, hence its nickname “Little Switzerland”.

Today, it is still essentially a holiday resort and manages to possess an air of Victorian charm left over from the days when many Victorians descended on the town looking for a ‘cure’. Attractions in and around the village include High Tor, the Heights of Abraham including the cable cars, Gulliver’s Kingdom, an Aquarium and the Peak District Mining Museum to name but a few. The town is also known as a meeting point for motorcyclists.

High Tor is a spectacular 390 feet high limestone cliff that towers above Matlock Bath, giving wonderful views of the town and its environs. Nothing beats a walk on High Tor Grounds, where there are 60 acres of nature trails to wander around, while, far below, the River Derwent appears like a silver thread through the gorge. A popular viewing point for Victorian visitors to the town, today rock climbers practice their skills on the precipitous crags. For those a little less energetic, a relatively steady walk to the top provides magnificent views over the town and surrounding area.

On the opposite side of the valley are the beautiful wooded slopes of Masson Hill, thesouthern face of which has become known as the Heights of Abraham. This particular name was chosen after the inhabitants of Matlock had shown great enthusiasm for General Wolfe’s victory in Quebec in 1759. This part of the Derwent Valley was seen to resemble the gorge of the St Lawrence River and the original Heights of Abraham lying a mile north of Quebec. Today it is a well-known viewing point, reached on foot or, more easily, by cable car.

For a family fun day out there is Gulliver’s Kingdom Theme Park, nestled within breathtaking woodlands. All the rides are centred on family fun with just enough thrills to make your visit an unforgettable one!

One of the great attractions of the town is The Matlock Bath Aquarium,which occupies what was once the old Matlock Bath Hydro that was established in 1833. The original splendour of the Bath Hydro can still be seen, in the fine stone staircase and also in the thermal pool. The pool, maintained at a constant temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, was where the rheumatic patients would come to immerse themselves in the waters to ease their symptoms. Today the pool is home to a large collectio of Common and Koi carp, while the upstairs consulting rooms now house tanks full of native, tropical and marine fish. Visitors are welcome to feed the fish with food obtainable from the Aquarium.

Down by the rivebank and housed in the old Pavilion can be found the Peak District Mining Museum. Opened in 1978, the Museum offers an enthralling insight into the many facets of mining from as far back as Roman times through to the modern day.

Life in a Lens  is a museum of popular photography set in a beautiful renovated Victorian house. Displays include cameras of all ages, toy and novelty cameras, postcards and much more. also a Victorian Teashop and a live webcam on their website.

Being a relatively new town, Matlock Bath has no ancient place of worship, but the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity is a fine early Victorian edifice which was built in 1842 and enlarged in 1873/74 to accommodate the growing congregatio. Of greater architectural merit is, however, the Chapel of St John the Baptist, found on the road between Matlock and Matlock Bath and built into a cliff. Built in 1897, it was designd by architect Guy Dawber to be a chapel-of-ease for those finding it difficult to attend St Giles in Matlock, but it also became a place of worship for those who preferred a High Church service.

Matlock Bath is of course famous for its Illuminations and Venetian nights. In 1898 a Venetian Fete was conceived when a number of tadesmen in Matlock Bath decided to purchase 2,500 coloured-glass bucket lanterns to illuminate the gardens on the promenade and on Lover’s Walk. They are now firmly part of the tourism year, and are held annually from the end of August to the end of October.