Hall Leys Park is a well used and much loved formal Edwardian Park within Matlock town centre. With the River Derwent passing close by, and Riber Castle looking down on it from the hilltops, it is very picturesque and provides leisure activities, including bowls, a putting green, skate park, tennis, a children’s play area, a paddling pool with water jets and a miniature railway. There is also a small boating Lake but it’s the traditional park with its formal flower beds and mature trees, which adds an attraction for adults. It contains a cafe, a clock tower and a bandstand.
Peak Rail offers a nostalgic steam and diesel train ride along four miles of track between Rowsley and Matlock. There are lots of special events which take place throughout the year and it is operated by volunteers. At Christmas, the children can meet Santa on the train and on Sundays, there is the Palatine steam train restaurant, which offers lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner.
Arkwright Mill at Cromford is run by the Arkwright society and creates a living celebration of Sir Richard Arkwright’s impact with the construction of the world’s first successful waterpowered cotton spinning mill at Cromford in 1771.
Masson Mills working textile museum is Sir Richard Arkwright’s showpiece mill, which houses a unique collection of historic textile machinery and memorabilia.
Red House Stables at Darley Dale is a working carriage Museum and has one of the finest collections of original horse-drawn vehicles and equipment in Britain. The present collection of carriages includes one of the very few surviving Hansom cabs, Stagecoach, Royal mail coach, and numerous other private and commercial vehicles. Tours by coach and a team of four horses take tours throughout the scenery and carriage rides can be arranged from half-hour local trips to 3 to 4 hour tours to Chatsworth house and return.
Farmers Markets are held in the Imperial rooms at Matlock on the third Saturday of each month between 9 AM and 2 PM.
Lea Rhododendron Gardens are spectacular at the right time of year, but the showpiece gardens are always welcoming to visitors and the tea rooms and garden centre are a great all-weather attraction.
Festival of Transport is an annual event which takes place at Rally Fields, in Darley Dale on Saturday and Sunday at the beginning of September, in aid of Matlock Mencap. There are more than 800 vehicles on show alongside stalls, a craft fair, arena entertainment and refreshments.
Matlock Live! Is an annual celebration of the performing and visual arts and is supported by the arts Council. It takes place during June at various locations around the town.
The Boxing Day Raft Race is a unique event taking place each December 26 and is a fantastic spectacle for participants and onlookers. Teams dress up wearing fancy dress and set out to paddle along the river from Cawdor Quarry to Cromford Meadows.
There are certainly no shortage of places to eat and drink in Matlock and from one end of the town at Matlock Green, to the other at Matlock Bath, there are a number of different pubs, cafes and restaurants providing different tastes with lots of choice.
There are lots more attractions and events in Matlock Bath, which have their own dedicated page.
