Whose stupid idea was it to go out on a Bank Holiday?

So last Bank Holiday Monday I was suffering from cabin fever and wanted to go out somewhere. I spent the evening before looking at hundreds of different places to go to. Eventually, I decided on The Heights of Abraham and Matlock Bath in Derbyshire. http://www.heightsofabraham.com

I had been to Matlock Bath as a child, but never up to the Heights as when I was little you had to climb up…

So…we set the Sat Nav in the car and headed off, I didn’t really take any notice which way it was taking us. However when we joined the queue to go through Glossop I realised it wasn’t the way I intended going, so consequently, after a much longer journey we found ourselves at the back of the queue to get into Matlock Bath itself.

After giving like-minded drivers the evil eye, we found ourselves a much sought after parking space, parked up and headed off to the cable cars where we were pleasantly surprised to find no queue. We had a gentle ride up the hill in our cable car above the Derwent Valley. The cable cars began to operate in 1984. Once at the top we had a quick look round and decided to investigate the two caverns first. The Great Masson Cavern being the larger and the Great Rutland Cavern the smaller.

Both are disused iron ore and fluorspar mines, just two of the many mines in that area. Once the minerals had been largely excavated, the miners diversified and became tour guides to the gullible Victorians. They would take the Victorians into the mine having previously sold them a tallow candle at the entrance, surprisingly, the candle would run out at the furthest point of the cavern, but luckily the miners had a few spare candles with them and managed to sell them, at inflated prices to the tourists to get them back out safely – great entrepreneurship!

There are other attractions up at the Heights of Abraham such as a fossil display, gift shops, a cafe with amazing views overlooking Matlock Bath and a viewpoint known as tinkers shaft which was where the miners originally used to descend into the Great Masson Cavern. I enjoyed being up there mainly for the panoramic views looking down on to Matlock Bath or across to the other side of the Derwent Valley. We could see how busy the small town was as the people looked like tiny ants crawling around and the cars made a long long steady snake through the main road beside the river. A typical “honeypot site.” However, we decided to head on down and have a look. Now as a child, although we lived reasonably close, I do remember my parents not really wanting to go to Matlock Bath, (especially on a bank holiday.) If any of you have been to Blackpool (especially on a Bank Holiday) you will understand what Matlock Bath could be like. Imagine one side of a road of about half a mile in length and every business along that side of the road is either a fish and chip shop, a pub, a cafe or an amusement arcade. The old spa rooms is an aquarium, the only exception to the rule.

You can see from the amazing architecture of the buildings that it used to once be a beautiful Victorian spa resort. I could picture the Victorian folk out enjoying themselves in the sunshine. Personally I found that side of the road to be horrendous, however, turn around and look at the other side of the road – it’s a different story, the river flows gently along with a beautiful promenade and park areas. A couple of bridges span the river and equally attractive park land is on the other side. I tried to take a photo of the Jubilee Bridge, when a family started to cross. It was obvious I was about to take a photograph so I stopped and jokingly said “Ha ha I suppose I will have to wait!” the mother took umbrage to this and stood at the far end of the bridge almost refusing to move knowing I wanted to take the photograph. I could have taken the picture with her two darling children on it, but somehow I didn’t want them on my blog due to safeguarding etc. I found it most amusing but she didn’t, still I got my photo at the end of the day… patience comes to all who waits.

Did we stay for fish and chips ? No ! Did we buy overpriced ice cream? No! Did we go and spend our hard earned coppers in the amusements? No!

We had a final look at an impressive war memorial close to the station then headed back to the car. We ignored the sat nav on the way home and got home in half the time, result! Would I go back to Matlock Bath…. yes I would …but not on a bank holiday or a weekend!!