Top 15 Attractions in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire

Situated on the Derwent River amidst a deep wooded gorge, Matlock Bath is a picturesque spa resort developed in the 18th century.

Prior to this development, the almost Alpine landscape on the periphery of the Peak District was primarily utilized for lead and limestone extraction.

With the inauguration of the Heights of Abraham pleasure park, the extensive lead mines became an integral part of the attraction.

Accessing the Heights of Abraham is possible via a cable car that traverses the valley; additionally, the family-oriented theme park, Gulliver’s Kingdom, employs chairlifts to aid visitors in navigating the steep inclines.

The Peak District and the limestone landscape of the White Peak lie immediately behind Matlock Bath, while the significant UNESCO-protected industrial heritage of the Derwent Valley is located to the south.

Let’s explore the best experiences in Matlock Bath:

1. Heights of Abraham

Situated on the western side of the Derwent Valley gorge, this park has been enticing visitors since 1780. Visitors can access it by traversing the slope on foot or utilizing the scenic cable car that has been in operation since 1984. Once atop, one can enjoy 60 acres of landscaped woodland, stunning views of the valley, visitor centers housed in chalet-style buildings, and two man-made caves which we will discuss shortly.

The Victoria Prospect Tower, established in 1844, offers breathtaking vistas of the valley, Matlock Bath, and nearby landmarks such as Riber Castle. Alternatively, the Tinker’s Shaft platform presents panels that elaborate on the lead mining history of the Heights of Abraham.

The Long View pavilion chronicles the 240-year history of the Heights of Abraham as a visitor attraction, while the Masson Pavilion is devoted to the Great Masson Cavern.

2. Great Masson and Great Rutland Caverns

Included with the cable car ticket are tours of the showcaverns at the Heights of Abraham.

These intricate labyrinths were initially excavated by the Romans and expanded over the subsequent 1,800 years, reaching their pinnacle in the 17th century.

Both caverns contain man-made passageways leading to natural chambers and tunnels that were formed over 350 million years.

Among the two, Great Masson is particularly notable, featuring vaulted ceilings exceeding ten meters in height along with advanced lighting installations for enhanced spectacle.

The Great Rutland Cavern provides insight into the life of a 17th-century mining family and showcases numerous well-preserved inscriptions left by miners on its walls.

3. Peak District Lead Mining Museum

A complementary experience to the showcaves at the Heights of Abraham, this museum, located on the valley floor, offers an in-depth exploration of the region’s lead mining history.

Visitors will encounter narratives detailing the daily lives of individuals (including children) who worked within this industry, alongside a tour of the Temple Mine, which was in operation for lead and fluorspar in the 1920s (note that tour availability is reduced during winter). Children can explore three mock mine tunnels, while an extensive collection of antique equipment retrieved from local mines is on display.

One cannot overlook the Wills Founder Water Pressure Engine, a remarkable 200-year-old piece that utilized gravity to pump water from underground.

The esteemed geologist Robert A. Howie also made a significant contribution to the museum through a comprehensive collection of minerals.

This donation was so substantial that only a fraction of the 3,000 specimens can be exhibited at any single time.

4. Peak District

Matlock Bath is ideally located for individuals eager to experience the grandeur of the Peak District.

The southern section of this range is referred to as the White Peak, characterized by rocky grasslands that are grazed by sheep and cattle, alongside pale limestone that has eroded to form caves and ravines.

From Matlock Bath, one is merely a few short miles away from the High Peak Trail, a manageable 17-mile pathway extending from Dowlow to Cromford.

This trail follows the route of the High Peak Railway (1831), which was constructed to connect the Cromford and Peak Forest Canals.

The railway was designed similarly to a canal, and during its early years, it employed horse-drawn transport and stationary beam engines in engine houses rather than steam locomotives.

5. Derwent Valley Heritage Way

Matlock Bath is also positioned roughly midway along a 55-mile walking trail that follows the Derwent River, commencing near Bamford in the north and concluding at the scenic inland port of Shardlow in the south.

One could proceed north towards the charming town of Bakewell and the magnificent Chatsworth House, while to the south, the valley transforms into a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted as the birthplace of the modern factory system in the 18th century.

Mention of Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills and the Cromford Canal will be made further on.

Should one venture a little further, they will reach High Peak Junction (1830), one of the oldest surviving railway workshops globally, and the Leawood Pumphouse, featuring a functioning steam engine dating back to 1849.

6. Gulliver’s Kingdom

Perched in another picturesque location on the western side of the gorge, Gulliver’s Kingdom is a theme park designed for children aged 3 to 13. On this steep terrain, the park’s log flume, tower rides, and roller coasters offer an exhilarating experience as one gazes into the abyss-like valley that plunges more than 100 meters.

Accessing Gulliver’s Kingdom is facilitated by the park’s chairlift and travellator, which is particularly advantageous for parents with young children and strollers.

Among the rides, visitors can enjoy attractions like the Switchback rollercoaster and the self-driven Cycle Monorail, alongside the Crow’s Nest Quest, a pirate-themed high ropes course that was launched in 2017 and includes over 20 challenges for aspiring adventurers.

7. Lovers’ Walks

Crossing the bridge from Derwent Gardens leads to numerous walking paths that meander up the steep eastern bank of the gorge.

This ancient woodland habitat is rare in Europe and is classified as a distinguished “Tilio-Acerion forest,” typically found on slopes and ravines.

The paths themselves date back over 270 years, establishing Lovers’ Walks as among the oldest surviving examples of public pleasure parks in the UK. During the 18th century, access to these paths was via ferry, as the cast-iron bridge at Derwent Gardens was not built until 1969. Through the foliage near the summit, one may encounter a small cascade fed by a natural spring, whilst at the bottom of the slope lies a refined arrangement of formal gardens and a play area.

8. Masson Mills

A pivotal component of the Derwent Valley UNESCO site, Richard Arkwright constructed this water-powered cotton-spinning mill in 1783. A notable innovation of this facility was the central staircase design, which maintained open and unobstructed factory floors.

The interior houses what is considered one of the country’s finest collections of operational textile machinery.

Many of these machines remain in situ, alongside artefacts collected from textile mills across the UK. Visitors will be treated to an immersive experience akin to that of a factory worker, allowing them to observe operating cotton mules, pirn winders, “The Devil,” which broke apart raw cotton bales, cotton doubling machines, the world’s largest bobbin collection, the oldest operational looms globally, and the original bell from 1785 that signaled the commencement of a shift.

9. Black Rocks

This impressive gritstone outcrop is located along the High Peak Trail, not far from Matlock Bath.

On the outcrop’s lower slopes, scree remains from the time when the rocks were mined for lead.

The flora thriving here includes leadworts, noted for their unique tolerance to lead-rich soils.

A relatively challenging climb is rewarded with breathtaking views.

The High Peak Trail can also be traversed to reach Sheep Pasture Top for an additional stunning view of the Derwent Valley, Cromford, and the Matlock Gorge.

The Middleton Engine House, situated slightly west, still houses a beam engine that powered the High Peak Railway and is accessible on designated open days.

Alternatively, one could explore the heather and mixed woodlands of Cromford Moor.

10. Cascades Gardens

Another treasure in Matlock’s impressive landscape is the four-acre garden surrounding a bed and breakfast in Bonsall.

Situated on terraces at the site of an old corn mill, Cascades Gardens was first cultivated in the 18th century and offers a new “room” at every turn.

The gardens feature roses, perennial flowerbeds, alpine and coniferous rockeries, and waterfront beds.

The Bonsall Brook flows through the garden, cascading over waterfalls, especially beautiful after a rainfall.

Visitors can stroll along the path leading to the cliff-top for a romantic view, and stop by the nursery that offers many of the species grown in the garden.

11. Matlock Bath Aquarium

An unconventional family attraction, the Matlock Bath Aquarium is housed within the resort’s repurposed Victorian bathhouse.

The aquarium features an eclectic mix of exhibits, including a carp collection in the thermal pool, a showcase of gemstones and fossils from around the globe, as well as the only “petrifying well” in the region.

This spring encrusts anything left in it with limestone deposits.

Additionally, there is an exhibition detailing the rich history of Matlock Bath, an impressive collection of holograms, and a vast assortment of Goss crested china from the 19th and 20th centuries.

12. Hall Leys Park

Matlock town is merely a few hundred meters up the road, where Hall Leys Park lies at its core.

Recognized with a Green Flag, this park presents an excellent low-cost venue for families during the summer months.

Facilities include a boating lake for children, an interactive play area, a miniature railway, and a putting green.

Older children will appreciate the skate park, while there are ample green spaces for those wishing to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, and the charming Cafe in the Park offers afternoon tea.

13. Cromford

Following along the Derwent Valley from Masson Mills leads to Cromford, a village established by Arkwright for his workforce during the mid-1770s.

The focal point of the village is the Cromford Mill, constructed between 1771 and 1791. Regarded as the first successful water-powered cotton mill worldwide, it significantly altered the trajectory of manufacturing history.

Cromford Mill is located at the origin of the canal that shares its name, extending down to Langley Mill over a distance of 14.5 miles.

A walk along this area is worthwhile as part of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.

For a unique experience, one could embark on a horse-drawn canal excursion on a section of the waterway aboard the Birdswood heritage narrowboat.

14. Hopton Quarry Nature Reserve

A few miles west of Cromford, at the edge of the National Park, lies a ten-acre reserve where three former limestone quarries have reverted to calcareous grassland and woodlands.

The site is remarkable, characterized by walls of rock gradually being reclaimed by plant life.

Consider planning your visit for late spring or summer, when the quarry’s flat floor showcases a nationally significant array of wildflowers.

This includes numerous orchid species such as the frog orchid, rare fly orchid, common spotted orchid, and fragrant orchid.

Visitors should also watch for remnants of the region’s industrial history, including grated lead mine shafts and the remains of old kilns.

15. Matlock Bath Illuminations

Initially held to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1897, the Matlock Bath Illuminations represent a splendid eight-week culmination of the resort’s summer season, occurring from early September to late October.

Since its inception, the event has been managed by the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association.

Each year, they craft illuminated models based on a fresh theme, which are then mounted onto a small flotilla of rowboats.

Derwent Gardens serves as the ideal location for viewing the Illuminations, where attendees must pay a nominal entrance fee.

These illuminated displays sail by every Saturday evening, culminating in a fireworks finale.