Matlock Bath, located in Derbyshire, is often described as a "seaside town without a sea" or "Derbyshire's seaside town" due to its unique, coastal-like charm despite being inland. It features a promenade, numerous fish and chip shops, amusement arcades, and ice cream parlors along the River Derwent, mimicking a traditional British seaside resort.
When you stop here, you can see why it's affectionately known as the 'seaside town of Derbyshire'. That's because Matlock Bath is reminiscent of a coastal pier with all its amenities, including fish and chips shops, outdoor seating and arcades.
Despite its lack of actual beach-front, the town has garnered this reputation through the unusual vibe it exudes; amusement arcades and chippy's populate Matlock's riverfront, or rather, the stand-in beach-front – the River Derwent.
There's no single "prettiest," but popular contenders for prettiest town/village in Derbyshire include Hartington, famous for cheese and charm; Wirksworth, an artistic hub with cool lanes; Castleton, the "Gem of the Peak" in the Hope Valley with caverns and Peveril Castle; and Edensor, a perfect estate village near Chatsworth, while Matlock offers classic spa town beauty.
Luxury Peak District getaway in picturesque Derbyshire village where Tom Cruise filmed Mission Impossible. Discover the luxury Peak District apartment in Stoney Middleton, renowned for its connection with Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible filming location.
This is a charming and interesting take on a legal series. Casting of Kathy Bates and Beau Bridges is classic CBS, and while this doesn't ask much of you, it's a fun and easy watch. Yes, there's a twist at the end, which will give the series some sorely needed depth.
Matlock is famous for its history as a 19th-century Victorian spa town, known for its natural thermal springs and hydropathic establishments like Smedley's Hydro, attracting visitors for health treatments in beautiful Peak District scenery. Today, it's celebrated as a market town with independent shops, a central park, and a gateway to outdoor activities in the Peak District, while its neighbour Matlock Bath retains a lively tourist feel.
A great day in Matlock involves exploring Matlock Bath's attractions, like the Heights of Abraham cable cars and Victorian arcades, strolling along the River Derwent, visiting historic Cromford Mills, or enjoying family fun at Gulliver's Kingdom or Matlock Farm Park, with options for scenic walks, vintage trams at Crich, and independent shops for treats like fish & chips.
Matlock is 9 miles (14 km) south-west of Chesterfield and in close reach of the cities of Derby (19 miles), Sheffield (20 miles) and Nottingham (29 miles). Matlock is within the Derbyshire Dales district and is the headquarters of Derbyshire County Council.
Matlock is the County Town of Derbyshire and is located in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales within the Derwent Valley. With the Peak District National Park only a few miles to the North, Matlock is popular with visitors enjoying the countryside and the amenities to town has to offer.
There's no single "prettiest," but Tissington, Hartington, Ashford-in-the-Water, and Castleton consistently top lists for their picturesque limestone cottages, village greens, historic halls, and stunning Peak District settings, with Tissington known as a perfect estate village, Hartington for its cheese and green, Ashford for its Sheepwash Bridge, and Castleton for Peveril Castle views. Other contenders include Edensor (Chatsworth Estate), Eyam, and Osmaston.
Chesterfield is frequently named the happiest place to live in Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands, based on recent studies like Rightmove's annual survey (December 2025). Residents and articles highlight its community feel, friendly people, affordability, historic character (like the famous Crooked Spire), abundant green spaces (such as Queen's Park), and immediate access to the Peak District National Park for outdoor activities.
However, Eyam's main claim to fame is the story of how the village chose to go into isolation so as to prevent infection spreading after bubonic plague was discovered there in 1665. In the later 20th century, the village's sources of livelihood largely disappeared.
Matlock Town is among the top 10 most dangerous small towns in Derbyshire, and is the 61st most dangerous overall out of Derbyshire's 267 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Matlock Town in 2025 was 59 crimes per 1,000 people.
Matlock's premise is so good that it wouldn't need name recognition, but it still stands on the shoulders of Andy Griffith's Matlock. The original procedural series is the inspiration for Bates' show and is a beloved procedural still recognized today.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Matty is really Madeline Kingston, a wealthy retiree living with her husband and grandson and determined to avenge her daughter's death, which was the result of someone at Jacobson Moore concealing documents that could have helped take opioids off the market.
While "underrated" is subjective, recent studies and travel discussions frequently highlight Hastings, Royal Leamington Spa, and Shrewsbury as top contenders, praised for their culture, independent shops, events, and history, often overshadowed by bigger names like Brighton or Birmingham. Other strong contenders include historic Chester, revitalized Swansea, and the charming, remote Scottish village of Inverie, depending on whether you prefer history, coastal vibes, or seclusion.
Norwich has officially been named the UK's Kindest City, by Benefact Group, an organisation that gives all its available profits to good causes, after locals made more nominations for charities than anywhere else in the country*.
