Built-up area in Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, England
| Coordinates: | 53.14, -1.553 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SK 29 60 |
| Population: | 14,956 |
| Dialling code: | 01629 |
Matlock lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, on the eastern edge of the Peak District. The town is set on steep, wooded slopes and limestone crags such as High Tor, with the tourist village of Matlock Bath and the hilltop attraction Heights of Abraham close by, giving excellent walking, river-side promenades and panoramic views over the valley.
Historically it grew as a 19th-century spa and hydropathic town and sits within a landscape shaped by lead mining and early industrial mills - nearby Cromford forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today Matlock is the administrative centre of the Derbyshire Dales and its economy blends tourism, local services, light industry and commuting, with Victorian architecture, riverside parks such as Hall Leys Park and a lively market-town atmosphere.