Matlock

Matlock is a town in Derbyshire, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, about 20 miles (32 km) north of Derby.

Understand

Matlock is really two destinations: The town is the main shopping and administrative centre for the area, while Matlock Bath a few miles down the road is the tourist trap.

Matlock Bath merits a visit for its natural setting and Victorian charm. The riverside is developed on one side only — the West bank — with woods and crags on the opposite bank, through which wind the Lovers' Walks. Although about as far as one can get from the sea in England, it has an almost seaside feel and none of the elegance of spa towns such as Buxton, Cheltenham, Leamington or Bath.

Matlock visitor information

Get in

By bus

Regular TransPeak^{[dead link]} long-distance bus services from Derby or Manchester (via Buxton ) or 6.1 service bus from Derby or Bakewell.

Also accessible via frequent bus services to/from Sheffield and Chesterfield.

By train

Matlock is the terminus station on the Derwent Valley branch railway from Derby, from where connections can be made to all major cities in UK. Railway stations at 53.138507-1.5589251 Matlock for the town or 53.122311-1.5568012 Matlock Bath (1.5 miles S) for the scenic Derwent gorge area, the Heights of Abraham attraction, caves and cable car service.

By car

Matlock is on the A6 Derby-Stockport road south of Buxton. The nearest motorway junction is J28 on M1, then A38 westbound to Alfreton, then A615 westbound to Matlock.

By plane

Nearest airport is East Midlands Airport, accessible by regular shuttle bus to/from Derby railway station.

Get around

Map of Matlock

Local bus services are operated by Trent Barton and a number of small independent operators such as G.J. Holmes, TM and Hulleys. See the Derbyshire County Council public transport website for timetables and information for all buses countywide.

There are regular services northwards towards Bakewell, Buxton and Manchester, and southwards towards Belper and Derby. Services linking the smaller villages away from the main A6 trunk road may be restricted to certain hours of the day (e.g. school runs) or even certain days of the week.

There are two bus stations in Matlock, one is next to the railway station on Derwent Way, and the other is situated on Bakewell Road in the town centre.

See

There are pleasant river views from Hall Leys Park in the town centre. A riverside walk starts in the park and proceeds into the Derwent gorge towards Matlock Bath; this also gives access to a footpath up the East side of the gorge and along the cliff tops above High Tor, the spectacular sheer limestone crag between Matlock and Matlock Bath.

53.13807-1.5585821 Peak Rail, Matlock, ☏ +44 1629 580381, peakrail@peakrail.co.uk. Steam train rides on part of the former Derby to Manchester main line railway, closed in the 1960s. (updated Jan 2023)
53.119336-1.562682 Peak District Mining Museum, The Grand Pavillion, South Parade, DE4 3NR, ☏ +44 1629 583834. Looks a bit like a "tourist trap" from outside, but is a very interesting local museum on the history of lead mining in the Peak District. Also includes an exhibition on the history of Matlock as a spa town and tourist destination.
53.124397-1.5653013 Heights of Abraham. Cable cars to gardens.
53.090484-1.4861874 Crich Tramway Village (National Tramway Museum), Crich Tramway Village, nr Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP (Nearest railway station is Whatstandwell on Derby-Matlock line but 1.5-mile walk up very steep hill. Alternatively use Littles Travel bus routes 140 or 141 from Matlock or Matlock Bath (no Sunday service)), ☏ +44 1773 854321, enquiry@tramway.co.uk. Mid-March to end October: daily 9:30AM-4:30PM or 5:30PM depending on day and month. Tramway museum in former stone quarry with Victorian/Edwardian street featuring reconstructed original buildings. One mile of electrified track and over sixty tramcars from Britain and overseas, many regularly operated. Occasional themed events (WWII, summer seaside resort theme, etc.) Wheelchair-accessible tram available on request. Adult £19, senior £16.50, child £11, disabled adult £12.50, disabled child £8, family ticket (2 adults and 3 children or 1 adult and 4 children) £43. (updated Jan 2020)

Do

The town comes alive at weekends in summertime, particularly on Sundays when large numbers of motorcyclists converge on the promenade to meet up and show off their machines. Matlock Bath is the biggest regular bike 'meet' in the Midlands and attracts bikers from many miles around; its appeal dates back to late Victorian times, when it became a popular destination for bicycle touring clubs from industrial cities such as Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

53.117418-1.5643321 Gullivers Kingdom, Temple Walk. Amusement park designed for young children. (updated May 2017)

Events

Boxing Day Raft Race: 26 December annually.
Matlock Bath Illuminations: . Lights on the river and fireworks in September and October. Illuminated boats parade on the River Derwent every Saturday and Sunday. Derwent Gardens. Adult £5-7. (date needs fixing)

Buy

Spinderella

Eat

53.137645-1.5565221 Stones Restaurant, 1 Dale Road, ☏ +44 1629 56061.
53.121891-1.5590642 Tuckers Fish 'N' Chips, 18 North Parade, Matlock Bath, ☏ +44 1629 57306.

Drink

For a relatively small town, Matlock has a number of bars centred around the Dale Road area, although there are numerous other venues around the town centre.

53.144203-1.5533551 The Thorn Tree Inn, 48 Jackson Road, ☏ +44 1629 580295.
53.121886-1.5583272 Midland Hotel, 1 North Parade, Matlock Bath, ☏ +44 1629 582630.
53.109-1.563 The Greyhound, Market Place, Cromford DE4 3QE, ☏ +44 1629 823172. Cromford village pub and hotel built in 1778. Good atmosphere and food, dog-friendly. B&B double £80. (updated Jul 2020)

Sleep

53.134974-1.5512241 Glendon Guest House, 7 Knowleston Place, ☏ +44 1629 584732.
53.120476-1.5635152 Hodgkinsons Hotel, 150 South Parade, Matlock Bath DE4 3NR, ☏ +44 1629 582170. Splendid little hotel with 8 rooms in Georgian town house. Hodgkinson was a wine merchant, and the Victorian decor has been restored. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)
Derbyshire Country Cottages, 90 Cavendish Road, DE4 3HD, ☏ +44 1629 583545. Holiday cottages available throughout Derbyshire and the Derbyshire area of the Peak District.

Connect

As of March 2024, Matlock and its approach roads have 4G from O2, Three and Vodafone, and 5G from EE.

Go next

Routes through Matlock

Buxton ← Bakewell ←

NW

S

→ Cromford → Derby

This city travel guide to Matlock is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.