Before I begin this post I must say thank-you to all those who made such kind remarks about my previous post. I am sure you were all crossing your fingers behind your backs while you typed those compliments with the other hand! I am nevertheless very grateful to you all. (This post is much shorter you will be pleased to hear).
Matlock Bath village
After our walk around Haddon Hall R and I had a hot drink and a little something to eat in the cafe situated in the old stables. We then drove to Matlock Bath – somewhere we had never visited before.
Matlock Bath village
We found somewhere to park along the main road through the village and then wandered about looking at what there was to see. We both thought it had the same atmosphere as many of our seaside towns – a sort of faded elegance and we felt almost as though we had gone back in time. The amusements on offer were very similar to those available to tourists 150 years ago. In fact, Matlock Bath was developed as one of the country’s first tourist destinations in the late 17th century when the spa waters were discovered. The village is situated in the gorge of the River Derwent and is surrounded by rocky crags and wooded hillsides. The poet Lord Byron described it as ‘Little Switzerland’. There are the ‘Riverside Gardens’ to visit and ‘Lover’s Walks’ to stroll along.
We discovered The Matlock Bath Aquarium and Exhibitions building – a virtually un-modernised Victorian hall with grand doors and a little toll-booth at the entry. We paid our entrance fee and ascended a wide staircase at the top of which were display cabinets full of curios.
A nest of dinosaur eggs
Sand Roses
These are crystal clusters of gypsum or baryte which include abundant sand grains (Wikipedia)
There was an enormous exhibition of holograms (one of the largest displays in Europe), an aquarium and a room full of Goss and Crested China. It seemed as if we were at an old-fashioned fairground attraction – so strange.
Thermal Pool
Thermal Pool
The old thermal pool is now home to a large carp collection.
There was a ‘Past Times in Matlock Bath’ exhibition.
Hotel flyer
Hotel flyer
I could imagine a character from one of HG Wells novels staying at this boarding house.
This place is the site of the only ‘Petrifying Well’ in Matlock Bath.
Petrified objects.
I can see lots of bottles, a teapot, a jug, a shuttlecock, a basket of bread-rolls, boiled eggs in an egg holder, a telephone and a hot water-bottle. The thermal spring is said to be about 2000 feet in depth and comes to the surface 100 feet above river level. The temperature is a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit/20 degrees Centigrade and the spring has a daily output of 600,000 gallons.
A rather dark photo of the hot spring.
This passage was built during the 1780’s to carry the thermal water from its source to the bathing pool of the fountain bath which occupied this site from 1786 until 1883. It was then replaced by the Matlock Bath hydro and the existing thermal pool. This area was then made into the ‘Petrifying Well’.
Information board.
R and I know all about this process. Our tap-water at home is very ‘hard’ and we spend a lot of time and money on different products trying to get rid of lime-scale.
We walked through the Riverside Gardens.
River Derwent
A very attractive shelter to sit in
The War Memorial
We walked up towards the railway station and strolled a little way along one of the Lover’s Walks.
Railway bridge
We walked to the cable-car station but as it was getting late in the afternoon we decided not to go up to ‘The Heights of Abraham’. This is a wooded country park on the top of the peak which is crowned with the Victoria Prospect Tower. Former lead mines have been adapted as show caves and the Grand Pavillion now houses a Tourist Point and the Peak District Mining Museum. There is also a Theme Park for young people up there.
Cable cars
Cable cars
Cable cars
We decided it was time to return to our caravan and buy some groceries on the way. We timed this very well as the heavens opened while we were in the supermarket. We were very pleased to have avoided a soaking!
As I was typing this post this evening R decided to watch a favourite television programme – Great British Railway Journeys – and by coincidence Matlock Bath was visited and Haddon Hall was mentioned. All the people questioned in Matlock Bath said the village had a seaside feel to it and Byron was quoted! It is so good to know that I am full of original thoughts!
A Suffolk Lane 
have been here just the once (driven through many times) to go on the cable car. You didn’t miss much! I think I prefer Matlock – but I enjoyed your photos and maybe another time I will stop the car and take a wander.
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We thought Matlock looked good but drove through on the way to MB and only visited supermarket on way back!
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This looks like an interesting place. I’d like to look over those fossils and all the petrified objects.
I have hard water here too and the best way I’ve found to beat it is with vinegar. It eats right through the scale, but you have to soak the scaly object in it.
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Yes we use vinegar too!
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We visited Matlock Baths and thought that it was a very curious but attractive place. We had a good walk on the bank opposite the heights of Abraham.
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We are thinking of returning next year and getting there earlier in the day to give us time to walk and go up the cable car.
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I hope you do.
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I am so enjoying touring with you and R, Clare. Thank you. Being stuck here, I bet you have no idea what a joy it is to tag along with you.
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While shorter than your last post, this one was no less interesting. I like these little places that aren’t over run with tourists, as I get a better idea of how people used to live there, and still do for that matter. So, thank you for another enjoyable tour!
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Thank-you, Jerry. Perhaps it gets busier during the school holidays but there isn’t too much for children to do down in the village. The popular place would be the theme park up on the hill-top and the ride on the cable-car I expect.
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If I have time when I’m in the Peaks next month I’ll see if we can stop off in Matlock I can’t remember ever going there. Loved your photos, I don’t understand the prices but does it mean Lobster is cheaper than Ham?
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Old money! I expect your parents are too young to remember it. 1/- is one shilling the equivalent of 5p. 1/6 is one shilling and sixpence (sixpence was half a shilling) so the equivalent of 7 and a half pence and 1/3 (one shilling and threepence) is the equivalent of just over 6p. I believe that these prices were about average for the time as most peoples wages were only a very few pounds a week. It was preserved lobster so not as expensive as fresh so I would think that ham would cost about the same. Matlock is a medium-sized town but Matlock Bath, a couple of miles away is only a village. Have fun in the Peaks!
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Hi Clare, I am finding your blog through way of Aquileana! Thanks again for the kind words on my poem there within the collaboration post. I enjoyed your post here about your adventures, and it felt as though I was there with you! I would love to see dinosaur eggs like that one day – and those beautiful gardens, in person!
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Hi Christy,
Thank-you so much for your very kind comments and for the follow. I was really impressed by the poem you wrote – not only are you able to write poetry but you can make shapes with the words! I have never been able to write poetry but I love reading it and admire those who can write it.
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Clare, what a kind comment back to me here! Thank you! It is always nice to get such positive feedback. I look forward to reading more of your posts soon 🙂
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It’s my pleasure, and thank-you too.
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Clare ❤
Excellent post… Matlock Bath (Aka "The Little Switzerland) is an exquisite town… I love the way things looked as if they were from 17th century as you said.
The Matlock Bath Aquarium is stunning and the dinosaurs eggs are an unbelievable finding!?.. Also all those Petrified objects.
Finally The Heights of Abraham look beautiful…
What a wonderful outing, my friend. Thank you very much for sharing with us!. Sending love and all my best wishes, Aquileana 😛
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Thank-you so very much for your kind comments, dear Aquileana. I hope you have had a very happy week-end Clare x
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