Matlock Visitors Guide
Matlock has good facilities for shopping, leisure and recreation. The recently refurbished Hall Leys Park is in the centre of town surrounded by many of the shopping areas. You can enjoy a quiet stroll in the park or if you fancy a bit of skate boarding, Hall Leys Park offers it all. Other sports include tennis, crazy golf, and outdoor bowling.
For families there is a secure play area with paddling pool, take a summer time journey on the miniature railway or captain your own boat on the lake.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MATLOCK
By June Lait – Matlock Civic Association
Until the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign, Matlock was a hamlet whose
principal activity was farming with lead mining and quarrying as subsidiary
activities. Historians now question whether the Romans mined lead here, but
Derbyshire lead mining is undoubtedly of great antiquity. For centuries it provided
work for those enterprising enough to stake claims and strong enough to tunnel
into the hostile earth. In the Great Masson Cavern dramatic illustrations of the
hardship and danger miners encountered can still be seen, and the whole of Masson hillside and much of Starkholmes is riddled with evidence of their efforts.
Most of the mines have been safely capped, but it is prudent to keep exploratory
dogs on leads and to supervise adventurous children.
For more of the history please follow this link
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