Matlock (Derbyshire)

Matlock is a town in the county of Derbyshire in England. It lies in the valley of the River Derwent at the southeastern boundary of the Peak District National Park, about 35 km north of Derby. The city is the administrative seat of both the County and the District of Derbyshire Dales.

History

1698 have been discovered in Matlock thermal springs. At that time it was only to a minor collection of smaller communities ( Matlock Town, Matlock Green, Matlock Bridge and Matlock Bank). The construction of a mill by Richard Arkwright at nearby Cromford led to a first population increase in Matlock. However, a rapid increase in the population learned of the place only when John Smedley (* 1803) built installations for hydrotherapy in Matlock in the middle of the 19th century. The city became one of the most popular resorts for water treatments. In the following period the population grew rapidly, mainly because of the many baths that were built. In 1851 the town had 9,437 inhabitants, in 1911 there were 15.894.

1893 was built a cable tram along the lines of cable cars in San Francisco; the route was at the time of construction of the steepest in the world and overcame approximately 100 meters. It was closed in 1927 after cars and buses had taken the passengers.

Attractions

• Riber Castle, the residence of John Smedley, above the city, but is now just a ruin.
• Hall Leys Park, a large Victorian park, which was opened in 1898, is located in the city center and offers numerous recreational opportunities.
• High Tor, Matlock and Matlock Bath zwisches a hill situated on the Derwent, about 165 m high.

Traffic

Matlock in 1849 by the Midland Railway connected with London and Manchester. 1968, the section between Matlock and Buxton was closed. For trains today by Central Trains to Derby on the Derwent Valley Line. A museum opened in 1991, the railway, the Peak Rail, running on the closed section between Matlock, Darley Dale and Rowsley. Matlock is situated on the A6, which runs from Luton to Carlisle.

Twinning

Matlock has been twinned with Eaubonne Département Val- d'Oise, France.