The thermal springs that emerge in Matlock Bath gave the village its name.

The area used to be dotted with pertifying wells which could turn ordinary objects into stone.

Visitors would often leave items such as shoes, toys and fruit to be transformed under a gradual build up of lime.

This card shows a couple standing at the ferry on the River Derwent in Matlock Bath.

The ferry boat is being reinstalled as an attraction in Matlock Bath. Tell us about your trips out on the original boat.

Matlock Bath is of course famous for its Illuminations and Venetian nights.

In 1898 a Venetian Fete was conceived when a number of tradesmen in Matlock Bath decided to purchase 2,500 coloured-glass bucket lanterns to illuminate the gardens on the promenade and on Lover's Walk during the first Saturday in September.

The event was so successful that the following year another 2,500 were purchased and transformed the gardens into fairyland.

Sadly in 1901/02 this was suspended but in 1903 a new committee formed and the event was to be staged on a grander scale.

Money was raised and in addition to the lanterns, 100 chinese paper lanterns were bought and wooden designs were made to hang from trees and rocks.

Home made fireworks were manufactured. Then came the idea for a floating boat, illuminated and decorated, the first one being a Venetian Gondola.





Matlock Bath's North Promenade features in this postcard.

The card is to a Miss Rodgers in Marehay, Derbyshire and is stamped September 6th 1912.

Matlock Bath, known as Little Switzerland to generations of tourists, began its life as a craggy limestone gorge cut by the River Derwent.

Matlock Bath was formed as a Spa Town, famous for its healing waters.

Today there are many attractions, The heights of Abraham, Gullivers Kingdom, the Derwent Gardens with its grottos, lawns and fish ponds to name but a few.

Vistors to the Heights of Abraham can take in the Prospect or Victoria Tower.

This was erected in 1884 when the heights were opened as pleasure gardens for the public.


The old Matlock Bath pavilion was built around 1884.

It was also known as the Palais Royal, an ambitious structure with a 228ft frontage of mainly glass.

For many years it had a resident orchestra and the main stage drew stars such as Sarah Bernhardt. The site is now part of Gullivers Kingdom.

It was replaced in 1910 by the Pavilion we know today.


This was built by a German contractor and was first known as the Kursaal, the German word for spa establishment.

It is now an information centre with a huge water-pressured pumping engine dating to 1819 which was recovered from Winster on 1976.

Matlock Bath boasts the new Bath Hotel which was originally known as Mr Tyack's New Bath hotel.

It has served the area for over two hundred years and is fed by a warm water spring which supplied an indoor basement pool and outdoor swimming pool.



This postcard below shows Matlock Bath from above the Fishpond pub.
On the right a sign advertises Bodens refreshment and dining room.

Tell us about a typical day out in Matlock Bath, what was there to do? What were your favourites shops and past times? How has it changed over the years?

Has it improved over the years?