In & Around
Matlock Bath
A Town & Country Location
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Known as the gateway to the Peak District, Matlock Bath is a lively Victorian spa village that was developed as one of England’s first tourist destinations and has been attracting visitors since the late 17th Century. By the 19th Century it was a place for the finest in society to be seen, including royalty. Located within a beautiful gorge of the river Derwent, with attractive riverside gardens, wooded hillsides and rocky limestone crags it even became known as "Little Switzerland" by the poet Lord Byron.
We love taking the cable car ride up to The Heights of Abraham, where the wooded country park and Victoria Prospect Tower are located. A visit to the Great Rutland and Masson Caverns which have been adapted as show caves is also a must do!
The Riverside Gardens and Lovers Walks offer gentle strolls away from the crowds, and nearby High Tor affords spectacular views from its lofty summit. There are lots of places to eat and drink in Matlock Bath as well as a variety of gift shops.
The Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular feature from September to the end of October, when the riverside is decorated and the cliffs floodlit to create a magical scene of colour. At weekends during the Illuminations there are parades of decorated boats, entertainments and, on certain dates, firework displays.
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Heights of Abraham
Great day out for all ages, and located a short 3 minute walk from the Coach House. Board the iconic cable cars and take a flight across the picturesque Derwent Valley to a fascinating and historic hilltop park. Discover the underground tours of the show caverns; stroll through ancient woodlands, enjoy the beautiful views and hill top dining.
Lovers Walks
Located a few minutes walk from the Coach House, the Lovers' Walks are a beautiful series of peaceful footpaths along the riverside and up and over the cliffs.
Lovers' Walks is a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' by English Nature. These woodlands also form part of the Peak District Dales Woodlands 'Special Area for Conservation'. They contain habitat which is rare or threatened within a European context and known to be one of the best UK examples of 'Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes and ravines'. The Lovers' Walks also link to Derwent Gardens on the opposite side of the River Derwent by a river bridge built in 1969. Derwent Gardens hosts the District Council's annual Matlock Bath Illuminations spectacular every autumn.
Cromford Mills
Built and designed by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1771, Cromford Mills housed the world’s first industrial water-powered cotton mill. Cromford Mills was one of the first ‘factory systems’ known as a linchpin in the industrial revolution. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, access is free but you can also buy tickets to access tours, the visitors centre, and even meet Sir Richard Arkwright in the ‘Arkwright experience’. There are a variety of independent shops within the old mill buildings, two coffee shops and the adjacent workers village a few minutes’ walk away. Combine your visit with a walk between the Mill and the River Derwent where there are picnic benches, woodland sculptures to find and an array of wildflowers in spring and summer. Cromford Mills is a 4-minute drive or 30-minute walk from the Coach House.
Gullivers Kingdom
Located in Matlock Bath on the edge of the Peak District, Gulliver’s Kingdom is perfect for families with children aged 2-13, offering a wide range of rides and attractions. Set on a stunning hillside at an altitude of 629 feet overlooking the stunning Derwent Valley, offering extra adventure and fabulous views for a unique theme park experience. There’s a travellator and a chairlift (both buggy-friendly) to help transport you from the bottom to the top in just a few minutes.
Peak District Mining Museum
Discover the life of a Derbyshire Lead Miner. Located a 10 minute walk from the Coach House, you can investigate the equipment the miners used to extract the lead ore from the ground, clamber and crawl through the old tunnels or visit Temple Mine, a real mine, on a guided tour, and then pan for minerals.
The museum has artefacts ranging from a simple tallow candle up to a huge water pressure engine originally designed by Richard Trevithick. These help to tell the story of the old lead miners who have mined this area from Roman Times through to the 1980s.
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High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail is a 17.5-mile traffic free walking and cycling nature trail which provides breath-taking views, wonderful wildlife and a close-up of the trail’s pioneering railway heritage. The High Peak Trail follows the route of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway (one of the world's first long-distance railway lines, built between 1825 and 1830). Many important railway buildings and features can still be seen, including High Peak Junction Workshops, and Hopton Tunnel and Hopton Incline. You can access the High Peak trail at Middleton Top Visitor Centre and Cycle Hire, just outside of Wirksworth.
Steeple Grange Light Railway
A short drive from the Coach House is the Steeple Grange Light Railway. Operated by Volunteers, this 18-inch gauge line is built on the track bed of the Killer’s Branch of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway. Power is provided by ex-industrial diesel, petrol, and battery-electric locomotives, and passengers are carried in old man riders once used to transport miners below ground. You can enjoy a unique 25-minute round-trip train ride up to Middleton, passing through dramatic limestone cuttings, or there is a shorter trip along the branch line into Steeple house Quarry.
Black Rocks
A popular walking and climbing area with attractive circuit walks through adjoining woods and a location used to film Pride and Prejudice. A 5-minute drive away, this small outcrop of ashover gritstone, between Cromford and Wirksworth provides beautiful views of the Dales. Black Rock is an important crag in the history of British rock climbing, and has some of the most extreme climbing routes in Britain, including Gaia. We prefer a slightly easier walk with optional picnic!
National Stone Centre
Explore 40 acres of woodland walks including six former limestone quarries and panoramic views and follow the fossil trail, learn about the tropical lagoon and ancient reefs. Follow a self-guided Geo trail around this site of scientific interest and learn about the geology of the area and dry-stone walling. Visit the rock shop, gem panning and play area and enjoy a meal or snack at the Café.