Matlock

You're welcome muse
Are you near to the sea now?
Like most of us Midlanders, I do hanker for the sea.

Almost. I moved to mid Cornwall 7 years ago after 60 years in Derbyshire. So it’s a 25 min drive now to the coast.

Fond memories of Matlock Bath. I used to bus it there most Saturday nights with a friend. The pavilion had great dances/discos there in the 1960s. I was reading about it last night. In its hey day there were 18 train a day bringing tourists in.

What is sad is that the next stop (Matlock) became the last stop. It used to go all the way to Buxton but Beeching shut the line.

Riber castle (formerly Riber Zoo)( has NOT been turned into apartments. It has just been left.

Bikers bring much needed income (along with other trippers) to Matlock Bath. There is also an organised drop off zone where they donate sleeping bags etc for the homeless.

Matlock itself has an award winning and very popular park

www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/parks-a-open-spaces/hall-leys-park-matlock

I do hope that this isn't turning into yet another 'argument thread'

I think I'm going to book a B&B or something and come up with my youngest. I'd forgotten about it until this thread. Is there still a nice fabric shop by the car park?

what do you mean FannyCornforth? Izabella was just adding to the information about the area, surely?

Does anyone know if the illumination and illuminated boats will go ahead this year?

I highly recommend the Dog and Partridge near Ashbourne.
It's a bit eccentric and splits opinion, but I love it, and I think that you might Jane (it's dog friendly)

Apologies Chewbacca and Izabella
Yes, that was uncalled for

The Pond in Matlock Bath gets my vote; live entertainment and good food!

If cheap and cheerful but very good value is what you are looking for there is a Premier Inn just out side Matlock.
My friend and I are going for two nights at the end of July GW.
We shall visit Bakewell for a nostalgic stroll round the market and hope to have a meal at Stone’s, a very upmarket restaurant.

I was disappointed that the International Day of Dance has been cancelled in Bakewell this year. I've been to every one of them and it's a lovely event. Fingers crossed for next year.