Belper 20 minutes
Derby 32 minutes
Nottingham 63 minutes

Matlock Bath
Station

Matlock
Cromford
Whatstandwell

Matlock Bath was one of the country’s first tourist destinations, when the spa waters were discovered and today retains much of its Victorian character, set in the impressive gorge of the Derwent with riverside gardens, wooded hillsides and limestone crags.

There is plenty to do with a cable car ride to the Heights of Abraham, Peak District Mining Museum and Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park.

Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular autumn spectacle with the parade of decorated and illuminated boats and clifftop fireworks.

Discover the cliff top paths and spectacular views from High Tor or gentle riverside strolls.

Matlock Bath platform
Station Facilities
  • Ticket Machine
  • Step Free Access
  • Parking in District Council car park
  • Toilets are a 2 minute walk, by the War Memorial. 20p charge.
Address

Matlock Bath station
Dale Road
Matlock Bath
DE4 5JA

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Did you know?

Matlock Bath has been a popular tourist destination since its heyday as a Victorian spa. Due to its Alpine inspired buildings and dramatic scenery, it became known as "Little Switzerland" by the poet, Lord Byron. The Alpine feel is retained at the station with the impressive Swiss chalet style station buildings.

Passenger Facilities

The station is unstaffed and tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine inside the waiting room.  There is a digital information screen and customer help point on the platform.

There is step free access.

The nearest toilets, 20p charge, are a two-minute walk in the village, Turn left after crossing the river bridge and they are located on the left behind the War Memorial.

Cycle parking is located at the station.

Getting to and from Matlock Bath Station

Matlock Bath village is located by turning left over the river bridge, that leads out of the car park.  The village centre, Lovers Walk, Derwent Gardens and most of the attractions are situated along or just off North and South Parade (A6).

For the Heights of Abraham’s Cable Car, turn right in the car park just before the river bridge and follow the elevated walkway alongside the river and turn right under the railway to the base station. To access High Tor continue just past the Cable Car base station.

Parking at the Station

Derbyshire Dales District Council operate the large car park at the station, which includes disabled parking.  Parking is £5.00 for up to 4 hours and £6.00 all day.

Local Bus Services from Matlock Bath

From the bus stops on the main road (A6 North Parade) there are a number of services to Matlock and Cromford that continue to other destinations.

These include bus 6.1 to Wirksworth – every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sunday and in the opposite direction, hourly, each day to Bakewell.

The hourly, daily Transpeak links the towns and villages along the Derwent Valley and continues to Bakewell and Buxton. There is a less frequent Monday to Saturday 110 service to Carsington.

Bus stop locations are displayed on the Onward Travel Map and bus timetables are available here.

When trains are replaced by buses, road replacement services pick up/drop off points are at the bus stops on the A6, located by turning right along the main road away from the village centre.

Taxis

Local taxi firms include:

Deejay 01629 822072

Matlock 01629 584195

Fox 01629 583333

Matlock Bath retains much of its Victorian character and many original buildings along the promenade of North and South Parade, which host amusement arcades, gift shops and numerous places to eat and drink, including the Whistlestop café at the station.

The village is popular with bikers and is a great family destination with a variety of visitor attractions including Gullivers’ Kingdom, Heights of Abraham, Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath Aquarium, Matlock Bath Boats  with rowing boats and a solar powered motorboat.

The story of Matlock Bath from its origin in the seventeenth century can be explored in Matlock Bath – A Perfectly Romantic Place produced by the Derwent Valley Mills Educational Trust www.derwentvalleymillset.org.uk Copies may also be bought from local heritage sites and local bookshops

Explore the area
Themed Attractions

Heights of Abraham

Cable car ride to Heights of Abraham hilltop park, two famous caverns, adventure playgrounds and much more.

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Themed Attractions

Gulliver’s Kingdom

Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park has over 35 rides for children including pirate ship, drop tower, and log flume.

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Nature & Parks

Derwent Gardens

Derwent Gardens comprise thermal springs creating pools, with grotos and alcoves creating unique riverside gardens

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Themed Attractions

Matlock Bath Aquarium

Matlock Bath Aquarium is a collection of unique attractions including holograms, thermal pool and over 50 species of fish.

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Sport & Adventure

Matlock Bath Boats

Matlock Bath Boats offers rowing boats for up to five people and a larger solar powered, wheelchair accessible motorboat.

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Heritage & Museums

Mining Museum

Peak District Mining Museum explores the world of a Derbyshire Lead Miner with panning for gold and numerous artefacts.

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Food & Drink

Whistlestop Café

Whistlestop Café and Discovery Centre in the Grade II listed station building provide a welcoming gateway for passengers at Matlock Bath.

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Things to do

Walks from Matlock Bath

Lovers' Walks in Matlock Bath, are a series of footpaths both along the riverside and up and over the precipitous and spectacular cliffs.

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A 1¼ mile Accessible Sensory Trail has been created to bring the Matlock Bath experience to all.

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Walk number 12, is a 2 mile walk between Matlock and Matlock Bath alongside the River Derwent and with a climb to High Tor with its spectacular views.

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Perri’s family tour of Matlock Bath leads through Lovers’ Walks to Derwent Gardens.

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Walk number 9, is an easy 2.25 mile walk between Cromford and Matlock Bath taking in the historic village of Cromford and a lovely woodland path.

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Walk number 10, is a 3 mile hilltop walk between Matlock Bath and Cromford via Riber Castle, providing magnificent views. There is a steep climb and the walk goes through woodlands, fields and along an ancient trackway.

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Walk number 11 is a 3 mile walk through woods and fields with fine views between Matlock Bath and Matlock.

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A pleasant circular walk from Matlock Bath to the historic areas of Bonsall and Cromford. There are a couple of fairly strenuous uphill sections.

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Derwent Valley Heritage Way is a 55 mile long distance footpath following the length of the River Derwent. Sections of the route may be undertaken as linear walks using the train between Derby and Matlock or other local bus services between Derby and Shardlow or between Matlock and Chatsworth.

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Events

Jul 10

T’Owd Man Morris Dancers

T'Owd Man Border Morris dancers return to the Heights of Abraham.

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Jul 16 — Sep 4

Punch and Judy Summer Spectacular

Join Punch and Judy to celebrate their 360th Birthday at the Heights of Abraham.

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Sep 10

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Sep 11

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Sep 17

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Sep 18

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Sep 24

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Sep 25

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 1

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Clifftop Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 2

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 1 — Oct 2

Grandparents weekend at Gulliver’s Kingdom

Two Grandparents can enjoy free entry* at Gulliver's Kingdom

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Oct 8

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Clifftop Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 9

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Oct 15

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Clifftop Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Oct 16

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Oct 22

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Clifftop Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Oct 23

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

View
Oct 29

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Clifftop Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 30

Matlock Bath Illuminations and Silent Fireworks

Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent.

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Oct 22 — Oct 30

Frights of Abraham

Take a trip to the Heights of Abraham for some October Half Term family fun.

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Matlock Bath map and village guide

Matlock Bath map and village guide

Station history

The railway opened in 1849 and for many years, Matlock Bath was a significant visitor destination on the mainline railway between London St Pancras and Manchester, until in 1968, the line beyond Matlock was closed.

The station buildings were built in the style of Swiss chalets, with a low profile, massively overhung eaves in keeping with the destination’s Little Switzerland image along with unique diagonal timbers and brickwork.

The recently renovated, Grade II listed, former station buildings retain much of their original character and are home to the Whistlestop Café and Discovery Centre and the Whistlestop Education Centre. The education centre is open for school visits and special events.  Both buildings are operated by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

The former Station Masters’ House has been converted to quality self catering accommodation.

Station adoption

Planting barrels around the station and adjacent garden are cared for by the local community with the assistance of Matlock Bath Parish Council.  The artwork adorning the waiting room and along the platform was produced by children from Matlock Bath Holy Trinity Primary School.

Funding towards many of these projects has been received from the Community Rail Network, EMR and Matlock Bath Parish Council.

Matlock Bath planters
Matlock Bath garden
Matlock Bath Adopters planting barrel
Matlock Bath Adopters
Matlock Bath Adopters
Whistlestop Platform view