DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE
AND THE
PEAK DISTRICT
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DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT |
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MATLOCK BATH ILLUMINATIONS AND VENETIAN NIGHTS Matlock Bath illuminations will be officially opened on the 3 September, 2011 at 7pm and the season will run until 29 October 2011. Visit Derwent Gardens on Saturday and Sunday from 7pm for family entertainment and 8pm for a parade of Illuminated and decorated boats. An admission charge is made for adults to Derwent Gardens. Children (under 16) and disabled persons free. Full details and to book ring 01629 583388.
A park and ride scheme will operate for the firework displays only. A Park and Ride service operates on the firework nights from Cromford Meadows and County Offices in Matlock. Please read the note below from the promoters of the event. Derbyshire Dales District Council Statement. - "Programme times and content are subject to change. DDDC accept no liability for any cancellation or change. Ring 01629 761930 for more details." For further information not available on this independent website: please see above for contact points.
THE FEATURE Matlock Bath, dates from the establishment of the first bath in the late l690s. It was little more than a stone structure filled by a thermal spring, with a constant temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As the number of visitors who came to benefit from the medicinal qualities of the warm spring water increased, some development to improve the facilities took place. The thermal qualities of Matlock Bath's water, and the added attraction of beautiful scenery, assisted its development as a tourist attraction. During the 17th century, visitors came seeking cures from the waters for their aches and pains and by the 18th century it had become a fashionable resort. Visits made by Queen Victoria, in 1832 and 1844, improved its reputation further as a society venue. Lord Byron, compared it with Switzerland and it soon adopted the name of 'Little Switzerland.' Today, Matlock Bath's alpine character is emphasised by the cable car ride up to The Heights of Abraham.
Everything changed with the arrival of the Midland Railway, bringing with it day-trippers by the thousand. This quickly drove away the so-called ‘persons of quality’ to neighbouring Matlock Bank. Here, John Smedley had opened a hydropathic establishment, in much more genteel surroundings, well away from the hordes. Nowadays Matlock Bath is a busy tourist resort, attracting both day trippers and long stay holiday makers.
The highlights of the year are the Illuminations and Venetian Nights. The riverbanks, decorated by illuminated displays and the cliffs floodlit, offer a truly memorable show. The Venetian Nights take place on Saturdays and Sundays, when decorated boats, with coloured lights twinkling, glide down the river. A magical experience enjoyed by people of all ages.
The annual Matlock Bath Illuminations and Venetian Nights originated in Victorian times, when the residents illuminated the area with fairy lamps, followed by a procession of illuminated boats on the river, to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Originally candle powered, the illuminations pre-date the well known Blackpool Illuminations. It is best to arrive early well before the illuminations are switched on, particularly at the weekend when it is invariably busy. The firework displays attract large crowds and provide excellent entertainment for people of all ages. There is plenty to see and do in Matlock Bath, when you can drag yourself away from the shops, cafes and amusements. The Peak District Mining Museum and Temple Mine (featured on this site) are very popular as is a cable car visit to The Heights of Abraham. Children love Gulliver's Kingdom, and the site previously occupied by the hydro is now an aquarium.
Return to the Home Page Back to the top of the Page Return to the Contents Page www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk is an independent, not for profit website. No recommendation of any establishment is implied by inclusion on this website.
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MATLOCK BATH ILLUMINATIONS AND VENETIAN NIGHTS Lights switched-on from Saturday 3 September, 2011 at 7pm and then every night until Saturday 29 October 2011. The parade of Illuminated and decorated boats takes place at 8.00pm every Saturday and Sunday during the season – with a programme of family entertainment in or near the bandstand in Derwent Gardens each evening, commencing at 7.00pm. An admission charge is made for adults to Derwent Gardens. Children (under 16) and disabled persons free. Full details and to book ring 01629 583388. Clifftop firework displays 9pm Saturdays 17 September and 1, 15 and 29 October 2011. PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE LOCALITY Mining Museum and Temple Mine (Tel. 01629 583834) where you get a very realistic impression of what the conditions used to be like for men who toiled underground. After completing your absorbing tour of the museum you can visit Temple Mine that has been worked since 1922. The museum is open daily throughout the year. Temple Mine is open on a reduced basis in the winter. For further information see the special feature National Stone Centre, Wirksworth (Tel. 01629 824833) tells the story of stone, its geological and industrial history. The exhibition inside shows how advanced technology makes use of stone in an incredible number of ways. Outside the visitor centre, the quarry trail takes you back over three million years. Open daily. The Heights of Abraham (Tel. 01629 582365) where you can take a spectacular journey by cable car to explore two show caverns, follow woodland trails and enjoy the magnificent view from the Treetops café and restaurant. Children’s play area and shop. For further information website: www.heights-of-abraham.co.uk
IMAGES All the images on this page have been kindly supplied by Phil Murfin. MATLOCK BATH FEATURE Nestling beneath limestone cliffs with the River Derwent flowing below, in a beautiful wooded valley, is the popular tourist centre of Matlock Bath. The town has been a tourist attraction since visitors came to bathe in the thermal waters. It's beautiful scenery was compared to that of Switzerland and, together with the thermal qualities of the water, added to the attraction of the area. MATLOCK BATH WALK Superb views are guaranteed on this short walk at any time of the year, but best of all on a sunny day when the trees are not in full leaf. Across the valley is the spectacular High Tor, and behind that the village of Starkholmes. Distant glimpses can be had of Riber Castle.
PEAK DISTRICT MINING MUSEUM Gives a very realistic impression of what the conditions used to be like for men who toiled underground. Can be combined with a trip to Temple Mine.
All details on this page were correct at the time of publication, but changes may be made without notification. |
