At first glance, looking at photographs of this picturesque town would give you the impression that it is oceanfront property, but Matlock Bath is 70 miles from the nearest coast. This gorgeous location has been ignoring the rules of geography for hundreds of years as the once famed spa resort has always been seen as an eccentric destination.
In Victorian times, the rise in popularity of train travel saw visitors choose to travel to the Derbyside town over beachside locations in Skegness or North Wales. The inland town sees retro locations such as Hodgkinson’s Hotel on the high street showcase items of yesteryear such as tobacco tins, and beef suet packets.
Despite being a considerable distance from the ocean, Matlock Bath has the attractions of a Edwardian seaside experience for those who decide to spend some time there.
A statement from Visit Peak District, the official tourist and visitor information centre, reads: “Matlock Bath is affectionately known as the seaside town of Derbyshire, with classic seaside features such as fish and chip shops, amusement arcades.”
At the end of the main street is the entrance to the Heights Of Abraham. This place, a 60-acre hilltop park reachable by mainland England’s only Alpine-style cable car, adds to the charm of the town.
The cable cars, which locals refer to as the “swinging buckets”, were built 40 years ago by the Pugh family who still live on the summit today. Before they were in operation, it was harder for people to reach the top. Queen Victoria rode a donkey to the summit of the heights in the early 1830s when she was still a princess. A tower was later built in her honour there.
Today, visitors will be relieved that there is no longer an arduous hike for those who want to venture to the top. You can also climb the tower via a spiral staircase and see panoramic views of the Derbyshire Dales.
As the cable car winches visitors towards the Heights, which are named after the Plains of Abraham battle site in Quebec, there are a number of options available for things to see and explore. Visitors can rise above the treetops and rolling hills to arrive at a Georgian-style pergola, complete with a restaurant.
Here, they can sample excellent Derbyshire oatcakes containing ham and melted cheese. The resulting climb of the Victorian viewing tower will also provide visitors the chance to burn off some of the calories gained at the hilltop eatery.
Further walking is on offer in the form of an underground cavern tour which explores the former lead mines that helped to rebuild the capital after London experienced its Great Fire of 1666.
Visitors can travel down into the caverns, which were formed over 350million years ago and see a process that first begun in Roman times. Buses and trains to the scenic Matlock Bath are available, plus driving there is also an option with several car parks situated around the town.
