The charming UK ‘seaside town’ 70 miles inland that’s only let down by rude visitors
- UK Hidden Gems
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
The unusual beauty spot is loved by many visitors, but locals say it comes with its fair share of problems.
"I've worked in Matlock Bath since I was 18, that’s why I have no soul left anymore," says Jenny Kirk, 39, who works at the Bank Note Café. "It’s got worse. I thought lockdown would make people more polite. It hasn’t, it’s made them ruder."
The Derbyshire tourist town in the Peak District is often compared to a seaside resort thanks to its chip shops, arcades, ice cream stalls and even the Heights of Abraham cable car, despite being 70 miles from the sea.
Jenny explained how customers at her café’s outdoor tables often sit eating fish and chips bought from other shops down the road. "We’ve been sworn at. They give you a bad review even if they’ve never stepped inside," she told the Express.
She also said visitors walk in to use the toilet without buying anything. "The amount of abuse you get. There are nice people, and regulars who return every year, but most of it isn’t great."
She added that the lack of parking makes tempers worse. "Everyone’s grumpy before they even get here. They’ve been stuck in traffic or can’t find a space."
Traffic lights have added to the problem too. Jenny said: "They’ve been up for weeks at the top of the village. It’s a nightmare. And of course, they always decide to do it during the Easter holidays."
There have also been issues with travellers parking at the railway station car park, which she said has put off coach trips and day visitors. "People drive in, see it, and leave again," Jenny explained. "We’ve lost a lot of trade because of it."
She also said some tourists are baffled by the seaside feel of Matlock Bath. "I’ve been asked where the beach is before, but this is about as far from the coast as you can get," she joked.
Not everyone feels so negatively about the area though. Catherine Swindells, 61, from nearby Chisworth, owns The Old Apothecary Shop, which she has even written a book about. The shop still has much of its late-19th century character.
Catherine, who used to work in finance with Lloyds Bank, said: "Me and my husband came to Matlock Bath for a day out and saw it was for sale.
We ended up buying it because we just fell in love with it. I thought, I’ve spent years advising businesses, so why not do it myself? I had a vision for it, and it’s worked."
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
Download the official APP!
Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.
Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.
Comments