7 things to do in Matlock Bath for the whole family

Matlock Bath is a small village in Derbyshire that sits along the River Derwent. It became a spa town in the 19th Century and is very popular with tourists due to having an unusually high number of brilliant attractions.

Here are seven fantastic ideas for family-friendly things to do in Matlock Bath.

1. The Heights of Abraham

The Heights of Abraham is one of the major tourist attractions in the area, and a big reason that people visit Matlock Bath.

A cable car gondola takes you 169m above the town, to a hilltop park land which offers superb views over the stunning Derwent Valley and surrounding Peak District landscape. In the park at the top you can explore underground caverns and mines, as well as enjoying a number of woodland walking routes and stopping for refreshments at the highly acclaimed ‘Vista Bar and Restaurant’.

A family ticket is £40 but if you arrive by train you can get 20% off. It's an experience not to be missed!

2. Gulliver’s Kingdom

Gulliver’s Kingdom is a fun-filled theme park ideal for families with children aged 2-13 years. There are more than 60 rides, including thrill rides, indoor rides, family rides and lots of theatre shows and other entertainment.

Kids can have a go on the huge log flume, enjoy a number of rollercoasters and even have a go at fossil digging in Dinosaur Kingdom. The park also offers superb views of the natural surroundings.

Tickets cost around £20 per person, though you can get a discount if you book online. The park is open all year round and has special events on bonfire night and at Christmas.

3. Temple Mine

An unusual gem in the nearby village of Matlock is the Peak District Mining Museum, located inside the wonderful Pavilion building. The museum reveals the world of the Derbyshire lead mines, where for centuries men worked in hazardous conditions underground to earn a living.

Crawling through a maze of tunnels and climb shafts will really give you the feeling of what working in a mine was like and kids will marvel at the glittering crystals in the walls. A family ticket is £8.50 and is open daily except Christmas.

Afterwards, take a short drive to the east of the town to see pretty Lumsdale waterfalls.

4. Crich Tramway Village

Another wonderful attraction just outside Matlock is Crich Tramway Village. It's part of the National Tramway Museum charity and is run mostly by volunteers.

The village has a number of things to do including tram rides, woodland walks, huge kids’ play areas, exhibitions, galleries and great places to shop and eat. A day out here is both a fun and educational. Dogs are welcome and a family ticket costs around £35. The village is closed on various days throughout the year so do check the website before planning a visit.

5. Matlock Farm Park

For younger children, Matlock Farm Park is a 600 acre working farm where you can see a variety of animals including red deer, peacocks, llama, goats and rabbits. The farm offers kids the chance to have fun feeding the cute animals, as well as learning all about farm life.

There's an adventure playground, picnic areas and areas for the adults to sit and relax, plus go-karting and pony-trekking for the older children.

A family ticket is around £22.50 and the park has good facilities including a gift shop and an excellent café. Open 7 days a week until mid-December.

6. Masson Mills

Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills is a cotton spinning mill located in the village on the banks of the river, and the working textile museum here is fascinating insight into our industrial heritage.

We'd recommend one of the highly informative tours of the mill - seeing the old machinery is a real treat. For the shoppers among you, there is also an extensive and popular shopping village where you can buy clothes, linens and homewares at reasonable prices.

The Mills are a great choice for a rainy day as everything is under cover and there is a good little café where you can stop for a coffee or get some lunch. A family ticket to the museum is £6.50.

7. Matlock Bath Aquarium

Matlock Bath Aquarium is set in a Victorian building in the centre of the town and is great fun. There are more than 50 species of fish to be seen here as well as other exhibitions, such as the largest collection of holograms in Europe, the only remaining working petrifying well left in Matlock Bath, and a thermal pool.

Entry fees are reasonable at only £3.30 per person and the attraction is open from Easter to October.

You won't regret a visit to Matlock Bath as part of your family holiday, with so much to see and do. Browse our list of nearby campsites to find somewhere to stay.

Still looking for inspiration? Take a look at our top ten Peak District must-see attractions.