Matlock or Matlock Bath?

[wwyd2021medicine]

Planning 3 nights In Derbyshire. I loved the countryside when I went to Buxton last year.
Which one of these would be best? Driving not public transport but like to be able to walk to a restaurant for dinner. Looks like Matlock has more variety?

They are really close and easy by train (and really cheap, I kept the tickets as they're less than most bus fares).

Matlock Bath is more like a seaside, all alongside a river bank. Lots and lots of fish and chip shops (possibly more than most seaside areas) but all seem to be popular. Gets busy. Saw a kingfisher whip down over the river though, despite lots of people. Also loved the aquarium and fish pond in the old spa bath.

Matlock has several nice cafes, restaurants, a couple of bookshops. The traffic through it was a bit slow and busy but could be sidestepped by using the trains.

For me, as a bookshop haunter, I'd go for Matlock and visit Matlock Bath, and various other places.

Thank you. I think Matlock overall then 😊

Have a good time!

You can stay in Matlock if you prefer but it's so close to Matlock Bath you can go there for an evening too.

I would definitely stay in Matlock. It’s a nice town, with many more eating & drinking options than Matlock Bath, which is a slightly surreal section of traditional seafront with chippies, rock shops & amusement arcades transplanted into the Derbyshire countryside.

Also consider Bakewell?

Yes - Bakewell or Ashbourne maybe instead? Matlock Bath is not very pleasant imho and can attract large groups of bikers at weekends and holidays. Parking can also be a nightmare.

Another vote for Bakewell, here. Matlock is a mess at the moment with roadworks and Matlock Bath is like a mini Blackpool (although the cable cars are fun).

We stayed in a rather quirky hotel near the heights of Abraham. It was walking distance to both Matlock and Matlock Bath. It was called High Tor.

We preferred Matlock Bath to Matlock but my kids were obsessed with geology at the time so we did the tour twice (which was much better than the heights of Abraham one).

@cocksstrideintheevening
Which geology tour please?

@wwyd2021medicine it's the mining museum, they take you on a tour of the mines and there is a cute museum too. My kids loved it.

And DH is looking at Buxton again now
I think Heights of Abraham for a day and have a look at Matlock bath.
Where would anyone suggest for a preferably circular walk? Ladybower reservoir has a 5 mile walk but open to suggestions

You can do a circular walk along Curbar and Stannage edges and back through the woods below.

Or Dovedale, over Thorpe Cloud, down and along the river for a bit.

Thank you all - a decent walk, the heights of Abraham and the mining museum sound perfect for a short break 😊

If you are driving to heights of Abraham you can park there and walk to Matlock Bath, easier than trying to park in the village itself