Visiting Matlock

What Does Matlock Offer Visitors?

Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire. It is small enough to be welcoming but large enough to offer a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. It also has a wonderful park, Hall Leys, which is in the centre of the town and gives a sense of space, openness and nature. Glendon is located on one side of the park, close to the River Derwent. It is a great base to explore the attractions of Derbyshire and Peak District and has great transport links with the train station and buses serving much of the county. Matlock provides the perfect gateway for Cycling in the Peak District and the surrounding countryside with a varied rural history.

Antique Shops in Matlock

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.

Independent Shops in Matlock

Matlock has a 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.

Other shops

There is also a good range of well-known shops in Matlock. This includes 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.

Lunch and Afternoon Tea 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.

Eating out in Matlock

There is a good range of new bars and restaurants for eating and drinking in Matlock, including Thai, Indian, Italian, traditional, tapas and fine dining. The list below is all within a few minute’s walk from Glendon:

Maazi Indian Restaurant A welcoming restaurant with a nice atmosphere and good service.	25 Causeway Lane, Matlock, DE4 3AR, telephone: 01629 582534
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

Pubs and Bars in Matlock

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.

Eating out, further afield

The following are between 5-30 minutes driving distance from Glendon:

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.

The 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.

The Victorians brought wealth and prosperity to the town and surrounding area. The town owes much of its status to John Smedley. He built the imposing Smedley’s Hydro (now County Hall) and Riber Castle, the imposing, mock medieval castle overlooking the town. Historically the surrounding areas were also rich in mills, producing many goods for distribution across the country. Cromford, just a short distance from Matlock was a key sight at the start of the industrial revolution and you can learn more about this in the Mill’s exhibition. The history of the area has contributed to the variety and diversity of what Matlock offers today.

We look forward to welcoming to Glendon to enjoy all that Matlock has to offer.