Visiting Matlock in Derbyshire
Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire offering a wide variety on independent shops, restaurants and bars all within easy walking distance of Derwent House so you can leave your car behind. Derwent House is located on one side of the park, close to the River Derwent. Matlock provides the perfect gateway for Cycling in the Peak District and the surrounding countryside with a varied rural history. It is a great base to explore the top things to do in Derbyshire and Peak District and has ideal transport links with a train station and buses serving much of the county. Before you make any bookings for houses make sure you check out our discounted attraction tickets page. There are a range of extra holiday ideas from guided walking adventures and wine tasting parties at Derwent House, to photography, craft courses and arranged outdoor activities for hen, stag and groups.
Enjoy the award-winning Hall Leys Park
Next to Derwent House is Hall Leys Park, a haven for all ages. For over a decade Hall Leys park has been awarded the coveted green flag to show it is amongst the best parks in the country. The park has a wonderful play area, including a paddling pool, for younger children. There is also a boating lake and in warmer months you can take a ride in a self-driven powerboat. There is a fabulous skateboarding area, an all-weather pitch for ball games and tennis courts. At the opposite end of the park are the wonderful planted beds, ideal to sit and watch the world go by. And in the summer months each Sunday afternoon, there is a brass band concert. The park is also served by the café and is a wonderful location for all ages to enjoy the outdoors.
A Brief History of Matlock
A former spa town, Matlock is situated on the River Derwent and is one of the larger market towns in the county. Before the Victorian era, the town was a group of small villages centring on the Parish Church of St Giles, up above the house on a limestone outcrop. The origin of the name Matlock refers to a place for assembly and oak – an oak tree where meetings were held. The town is sometimes referred to as ‘the Matlocks. This is a reference to Matlock and Matlock Bath. The two have been favourite holiday locations since the Victorian years. Matlock Bath is referred to in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice and the Peak District has provided the location for this film and many others.
Lots of Independent Shops in Matlock
Matlock has a wide range of independent shops, from wonderful furniture choices at Indigo to The French Wine People and Bow Boutique offering a range of home goods, including some delightful furniture items. And when strolling around Matlock be sure to look out for Robert Young florists who always have such delightful window displays. Matlock also has most of the normal high-street shops including Marks and Spencer food, a Co-op convenience store, Boots the chemist, Superdrug and Wilkinsons. The town also has a Nationwide Building society, Lloyds Bank and Post office.
Browse the Matlock Antique Shops
Dale Road, Matlock is a short walk from Glendon. It has a variety of antique and vintage shops, including Matlock Antiques and Collectables. If you enjoy exploring and looking for your next find, this is the road for you.
Eating in Matlock
There are many lovely places for lunch in Matlock, all just a short stroll from Glendon. The Green Way café offers a wonderful array of vegetarian dishes. There is also the Cool River Café, which is good for lunch. A more recent addition to the café scene is Zinc, which serves lovely cakes, has a small inviting garden at the back and also stocks a range of cards and gifts. Many of the antique and vintage shops on Dale Road also have cafes. And when the sun is shining Hall Leys park, is a lovely spot for an outdoor picnic. Pop across the road to Mrs Tiggy Winkles to grab a sandwich or other lunch goodies and then enjoy the wonderful park.
Restaurants in Matlock
If you want a break from cooking, there are a good range of bars and restaurants in Matlock, including Thai, Indian, Italian, traditional, tapas and fine dining. The list below is all within a few minutes’ walk from Derwent House:
| Maazi Indian Restaurant A welcoming restaurant with a nice atmosphere and good service. | 25 Causeway Lane, Matlock, DE4 3AR, telephone: 01629 582534 |
| Millers Bar & Grill An informal restaurant with a range of options, although limited vegetarian choices. Offers Sunday lunch. | 66a Dale Road, Matlock, DE4 3LT telephone: 01629 593440 |
| Red Lion Pub Good quality pub food with a separate restaurant room. Offers Sunday lunch. | Causeway Lane, Matlock, telephone 01629 584888 |
| Stones Excellent standard offering local produce. Ideal for a special occasion although reservations are often needed some time in advance. | Dale road, Matlock, telephone: 01629 56061 |
| Thailand No.1 A welcoming and friendly restaurant with very good food and service. | 43 Dale Road, Matlock, DE4 3LT, telephone: 01629 584444 |
| The Remarkable Hare Serves food in a separate bistro room with a broad menu. Often offers a discount for late afternoon dining. | The Remarkable Hare, Dale Road, Matlock, telephone 01629 580850 |
| Viva Italian Restaurant Restaurant with modern feel serving a broad Italian menu. | Dale road, Matlock, telephone: 01629 593505 |
| Buddy’s A traditional Smoke House serving a range of smoked and BBQ dishes | 77 Dale Rd, Matlock DE4 3LT |
| Bod café and bar Open all day serving a range of food during the day and cold options in the evening. A range of Titanic brewery beers. | 22 Dale Road, Matlock, DE4 3LT telephone: 01629 580382 |
| Ostello A modern bar and restaurant serving snacks and meals throughout the day | Crown Square, Matlock, DE4 3AT telephone: 01629701056 |
| The Thorn Tree A traditional pub serving food some days. Up a steep hill, but stunning views from the outside terrace across the valley. | Jackson Road, Matlock, DE43JQ telephone: 01629 580295 |
Matlock Bars and Pubs
For drinks, there is also a good range of options on Dale Road. From the traditional surroundings of the Remarkable Hare and Bod café and bar, which both offer a good range of drinks, including local ales to Monk, which serves cocktails in a more modern wine bar environment.
Many of the bars also have live music at weekends, offering the opportunity to enjoy local artists and bands. Details are usually listed on the individual websites.
Restaurants and Pubs to visit – further afield
The following are between 5-30 minutes driving distance from Derwent House:
| The Cock Inn at Muggington Traditional pub with a modern feel. Excellent food and a lovely outside area. Booking essential. | Mugginton, telephone 01773 550703 |
| The Devonshire Arms Part of the Chatsworth estate. Gastro pub style. | Beeley, telephone: 01629 733259 |
| Fischer’s at Baslow Hall Excellent fine dining restaurant. | Calver Road, telephone 01246 583 259 |
| The Peacock Excellent standard serves both bar and restaurant meals. | Rowsley, telephone: 01629 733518 |
| White Lion Pub food with varied options and outside seating | Brackenfield, telephone: 01629 534437 |
| Parkys Eatery Mainly cafe during the day but occasional bistro nights with very good food. | Woolley Moor, Badger Lane, Alfreton, telephone: 01246 590319 |
| Pie Daniels Small restaurant with excellent food and friendly service. | Bakewell, telephone: 01629 812687 |
| The Gate Inn A traditional pub with a modern feel. Good range of well-cooked food served daily in dining and outside spaces. | Tansley village 01629 583838 |
| Prince of Wales Both bar and restaurant dining. Modern feel. Very good food and service. | Church lane, Baslow, telephone: 01246 583880 |
Full details for places to eat and drink in Matlock and a short driving distance are listed on the map below. This includes up to date information on opening days and times, what each place offers, location and contact details. The pubs listed all serve food, with a range of styles and tastes, which we hope you find helpful.
Places to Eat and Drink on Google Map
Click on the map icons for details, opening times and contact details.
