Matlock Bath
From Free net encyclopedia
Matlock Bath is a village south of Matlock in Derbyshire, England. It developed as a spa town and still thrives on tourism.
Attractions in the village include the Heights of Abraham, Gulliver's Kingdom theme park, the Derbyshire Mining Museum, a petrifying well and an aquarium. The town is also known as a meeting point for motorcyclists. In the late summer of each year, the "Venetian Nights" are held with illuminations along the river and illuminated boats, attracting thousands of visitors. (Since they also bring their cars, it is worth considering the train.)
In 1698, warm springs were discovered and a Bath House was built. As the waters became more famous, access was improved by the building of the bridge into Old Matlock and in 1783, the opening of a new entrance at the south of the valley. Princess Victoria's royal visit in 1831 confirmed Matlock as a society venue of the time. Ruskin loved it, and Lord Byron confirmed its romantic character, comparing it with alpine Switzerland, hence its nickname "Little Switzerland". When the North Midland Railway opened in 1840, carriages plied for hire from Ambergate station. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway ran a number of excursions, taking the passengers onward from Ambergate by the Cromford Canal.
Matlock Bath railway station was built in 1849 on the Midland Railway line between London and Manchester, until the section between Matlock and Buxton was closed in 1968 during the Beeching Axe. Trains still run between Matlock Bath and Derby on the Derwent Valley Line.