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Major city · United Kingdom

Matlock

Give Matlock one full day: Matlock Bath's gorge, Heights of Abraham cable car and a riverside walk. Sleep one night if you want Cromford and the tram museum too.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Matlock is two places: the workaday town with the shops and the station, and Matlock Bath 2.5 km south, where the Derwent cuts a limestone gorge and Victorian visitors built a promenade. It is the southern gateway to the Peak District, 20 miles north of Derby on the A6, and most people come for a day rather than a week. Base here for the Derwent Valley mills, Cromford and the cable car, not for a big-city break.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep; illuminations in Sep–Oct
avoid Dec–Feb (short days, many attractions shut); bank-holiday Sundays in Matlock Bath if you dislike crowds
Airports
EMA · MAN
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Matlock999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Matlock, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare within the valley£2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
  • Museum or sight ticketAttraction entry (cable car, tram museum, mining museum)£8–19 (≈ US$11–30)
  • Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedGuest-house or pub double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedGuest-house or pub double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Matlock Bath gorge and promenadeHeights of Abraham cable carPeak District lead mining museumCrich Tramway VillageSunday motorcycle meets
Airports
EMA East Midlands (Nearest airport; shuttle bus to Derby station, then the Derwent Valley line to Matlock, about 1 h 30 min door to door) · MAN Manchester (TransPeak bus via Buxton, or train via Derby; both around 2 h)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Matlock: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

6°C (43°F)

1°C (34°F)

13 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

11 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

11 rd

May

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

10°C (50°F)

11 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Aug

21°C (70°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Sep

18°C (64°F)

10°C (50°F)

11 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Dec

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town, Matlock Bath and Cromford sit on one bus corridor along the A6; local services run roughly every 20–30 min by day, thinner in the evening and on Sundays (check timetables). The Derwent Valley line links Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford to Derby. Walking the riverside path between the town and Matlock Bath takes about 40 min; the cliff path over High Tor is steeper and can be muddy.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Cromford Mill and village

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus along the A6 or train to Cromford, then a short walk

Arkwright's mill village; pair with the canal and Scarthin Books.

Crich Tramway Village

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus 140 or 141 from Matlock or Matlock Bath (no Sunday service)

Open mid-March to end October only; adult ticket around £19 (2026 estimate).

Bakewellgo

Door to door: About 45 min

TransPeak or local bus north on the A6

Market town, riverside walks and the pudding; easy half day.

Derbygo

Door to door: About 40 min

Derwent Valley line train from Matlock station

Useful for connections and a wet-day museum.

Buxton

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

TransPeak bus via Bakewell

Doable as a day out but the bus eats the middle of it.

Chesterfield

caution

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Bus or train via Derby

Crooked spire and a market; better as a stop en route than a return trip.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Matlock town centre

Station, two bus stations, shops and Dale Road bars; best for a car-free trip.

Matlock Bath

Riverside guest houses and the promenade; 2.5 km (1.6 mi) south, quieter at night, busier on summer Sundays.

Cromford and Whatstandwell

Village pubs and mill cottages 4–6 km (2.5–3.7 mi) south; needs a car or a bus.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
High
£110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guest-house or pub double room1 × 1 night × £100£100
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80£160
Derby → Matlock return train2 × £9£18
Day bus ticket on the A6 corridor2 × £8£16
Heights of Abraham cable car and gardens2 × £20£40
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8£16
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£35
Trip total≈ £193 per person per day, bed included£385≈ US$550

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Matlock excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Fish and chips£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
Pint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Bus fare within the valley£2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
Taxi Matlock → Matlock Bath£7–10 (≈ US$10–14)
Attraction entry (cable car, tram museum, mining museum)£8–19 (≈ US$11–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime small town; the real risks are steep, slippery gorge paths, fast A6 traffic where there is no pavement, and deep water in the Derwent after rain.
  • Village buses away from the A6 can be school-run only: check the day and time before you rely on one.
  • Crich Tramway Village is closed from November to mid-March and has no Sunday bus service: check before travelling.
  • Matlock Bath promenade is packed with motorcycles on summer Sundays; parking fills early.
  • The walk up from Whatstandwell station to Crich is a steep 1.5 miles: take the bus instead.
  • Some riverside and gorge paths flood or turn slippery after heavy rain.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999 or 112
NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MatlockMatlock

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies here; the US embassy is in London, and most countries keep consulates in Manchester or Edinburgh. Check your own government's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Train Derby → Matlock: about £4.50 (≈ US$6) single, about 40 min
  • Bus Matlock → Matlock Bath: about £2–3 (≈ US$3–4), about 10 min
  • Heights of Abraham cable car: about £20 (≈ US$30) adult including gardens

Say or show

  • Single to Matlock Bath, please — Single to Matlock Bath, please
  • Does this bus go to Cromford? — Does this bus go to Cromford?
  • Is there a service on Sunday? — Is there a service on Sunday?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Matlock. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep; illuminations in Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (short days, many attractions shut); bank-holiday Sundays in Matlock Bath if you dislike crowds · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for EMA and MAN: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Matlock town and Hall Leys Park, Matlock Bath and the gorge, Cromford and the canal.
  3. Place pages with verified opening seasons (Heights of Abraham, Peak District Mining Museum, Crich Tramway Village) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Illuminations and Boxing Day raft-race fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources