Description

The town of Matlock is situated on the River Derwent in the heart of Derbyshire. Here the river has carved a course through the limestone to create the spectacular Matlock Dale, which today lies on the edge of the Peak District. Matlock Bridge stands at a crossing point on the river and has been an important stage on routes to larger settlements nearby such as Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester for centuries. Although quarrying and mining had long taken place around Matlock, and the river used to power mills, it was the development of the town as a spa following the discovery of thermal springs and the arrival of the railways that let to the town's major expansion and the development of Matlock Bath with numerous hydros adjoining Matlock town. A tramway was also built up the steep Bank Road, which was the steepest tramway in the world. The legacy of this 19th century growth and prosperity can be seen in the numerous imposing Victorian buildings around the town. Today many of these have been converted from previous use and the town attracts many visitors as a base from which to explore the Peak District.Secret Matlock & Matlock Bath explores the less well-known episodes and characters in the history of this Derbyshire town through the ages, bringing to life tales of those who have lived in it and the places they inhabited.