Derbyshire Places (3) : Matlock Bath

Matlock Bath is a relatively recently formed community especially compared to nearby Old Matlock. However people have lived and worked in the area for thousands of years, with mines on the hills overlooking Matlock Bath having been worked in Roman times. These hills are known as the Heights of Abraham and a cable car takes visitors up to them.

The discovery of warm springs in 1698 on a road alongside the Derwent river near Matlock led to the construction of a bath house. A village began to be built up around the springs which had royal patronage in the early nineteenth century and became a fashionable Victorian spa. Matlock Bath was called Little Switzerland thanks to Lord Byron comparing it with Alpine retreats. The Swiss feel is reflected in some of the architecture of station buildings at Matlock Bath railway station which are clearly inspired by Alpine chalets!

Matlock Bath remains a tourist destination well known for it's many fish and chip shops and arcades. It is also home to the Peak District Lead Mine Museum.