Matlock Bath

Coordinates: 53°07′N 1°34′W / 53.11°N 1.56°W / 53.11; -1.56

Matlock Bath
Matlock Bath, viewed from the Heights of Abraham
Matlock Bath  Matlock Bath shown within Derbyshire
OS grid reference	SK293579
District	Derbyshire Dales
Shire county	Derbyshire
Region	East Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MATLOCK
Postcode district	DE4
Dialling code	01629
Police	Derbyshire
Fire	Derbyshire
Ambulance	East Midlands
EU Parliament	East Midlands
UK Parliament	Derbyshire Dales
List of places: UK • England • Derbyshire

Matlock Bath is a village south of Matlock in Derbyshire, England. Built along the River Derwent, it developed, in the 19th century, as a spa town and still thrives on tourism.

History

In 1698 warm springs were discovered and a Bath House was built. As the waters became more famous, access was improved by the building of the bridge into Old Matlock and in 1783, the opening of a new entrance at the south of the valley. Princess Victoria's royal visit in 1831 confirmed Matlock as a society venue of the time. Ruskin loved it, and Lord Byron confirmed its romantic character, comparing it with alpine Switzerland, hence its nickname Little Switzerland. Erasmus Darwin had recommended the area to Josiah Wedgwood I for its beauty and soothing waters, and members of the families vacationed and settled there. Edward Levett Darwin, son of Francis Sacheverel Darwin, lived at Dale House in Matlock Bath, where he was a solicitor.

When the North Midland Railway opened in 1840, carriages plied for hire from Ambergate station. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway ran a number of excursions, taking the passengers onward from Ambergate by the Cromford Canal. Matlock Bath is now a designated conservation area with an Article 4 Direction in relation to properties, predominantly along North and South Parade.

Government

Matlock Bath is in the local government district of Derbyshire Dales, and is part of the parliamentary constituency of the same name. The Member of Parliament is Patrick McLoughlin of the Conservative Party.

Visitor attractions

View of High Tor, 1775, by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm.

Attractions in the village include the Heights of Abraham which is a self contained park on top of a hill of the same name. The park contains a former mine which is open to the public and a cliffside cafe. On the opposite bank of the river Derwent stands High Tor, a sheer cliff which is very popular with climbers and walkers alike. High Tor features Giddy Edge, a narrow winding path along the cliff edge. The cable cars are close to the base of High Tor and serve the Heights of Abraham. Also in Matlock Bath are Gulliver's Kingdom theme park, the Peak District Mining Museum, the Life in a Lens Museum of Photography & Old Times, a petrifying well and an aquarium. The notable presence of amusements and museums are a strong tourist draw, and they live quite happily side by side, because the conservation area guidelines keep control of any excessive promotional activity, while allowing it to prosper along with the historical and scenic side that has made Matlock Bath so worth visiting. In autumn of each year, the "Venetian Nights" are held with illuminations along the river and illuminated boats, attracting thousands of visitors

Fancy Rafts

There is a fancy rafts event every year on boxing day on the river Derwent from Matlock through Matlock Bath to Cromford Meadows

Bikers

Matlock Bath is well-known as a meeting place for motorcyclists and moped riders who flock to the village at weekends and bank holidays.

StreetSafari gathering

Since 2005, every March, participants in StreetSafari European banger rallies meet in the Midland Hotel, North Parade, Matlock Bath for their annual "north of England" meet-up. The "south of England" meet-up is held in Covent Garden, London. StreetSafari generally meets up on the last weekend of March.

Railways

Matlock Bath railway station was built in 1849 on the Midland Railway line between London and Manchester: the section from Matlock to Buxton was closed in 1968, during the Beeching Axe. Trains still run between Matlock Bath and Derby on the Derwent Valley Line.

Canoeing

The River Derwent in Matlock Bath is a very popular location for many Canoeing events. It is used by Matlock Canoe Club to host many competitive (National level) Wild Water Racing and Slalom events. It is also used as an assessment location for the BCU 4 Star award. It is also used recreationally by many canoeists.

See also

• St John the Baptist's Chapel, Matlock Bath

External links

• Extensive site on the history of Matlock and Matlock Bath.