Matlock Bath, a town in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley, has been nicknamed "Little Switzerland" and is being highlighted as an ideal destination for an autumn weekend away. The name was first given by the Romantic poet Lord Byron, who praised the area's mountains and natural beauty.
Attractions in the town
The town features lush wooded walking tracks and a high street with independent shops. One of the main attractions is the Heights of Abraham, a 60-acre hilltop park reached by cable car, offering panoramic views over the village from hundreds of feet up. The park also has underground caverns built into the hillside, where guided tours explain the area's lead mining history. Above ground, visitors can use walking tracks and a cafe with views over the valley.
Things to do in wet or sunny weather
For those staying in the town, the Matlock Bath Aquarium offers giant koi, one of the largest hologram displays in Europe, and the last remaining "petrifying well" in Matlock Bath. This well appears to turn objects to stone as mineral-rich water sprays over them, coating items with calcium carbonate and lime salts. On sunny days, visitors can walk along North Parade by the River Derwent, buy fish and chips or ice cream, and watch rowboats on the water.
