Matlock Bath

Introducing Matlock Bath

Charming, tacky and quirky in a uniquely British way, Matlock Bath is like a seaside resort that got lost in landlocked rural Derbyshire. Day-trippers wander down the brash promenade, popping into amusement arcades, an aquarium, Victorian cafés, pubs and the souvenir shops – some with stock that seems left over since Victorian times. The tiny tourist beauty spot lies on the southeastern edge of the Peak District National Park. Bisected by the smooth, twisty A6, the town’s buzz becomes a roar (of engines) at the weekend, as hundreds of motorcyclists flock here. If you’re lucky, you may catch the memorable sight of a leather-clad burly biker sipping tea from a bone-china mug.

It sits next to the pleasant town of Matlock, which has little in the way of sights but is a handy gateway to the scenic dales.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009