Lodges Near Matlock

Picture the cable cars gliding over the Derwent gorge in the morning, fish and chips on the North Parade at lunchtime, then a long soak in your own hot tub as the light fades over the Derbyshire hills. That’s a weekend break in Matlock, and it’s why so many of our guests come back. The two towns sit side by side on the River Derwent, with Matlock Bath squeezed into the gorge beneath High Tor and Matlock a mile or so upstream around Hall Leys Park.

We’ve picked six lodges near Matlock that we know well, from a woodland park 12 minutes away to an adults-only retreat in the Staffordshire Moorlands, and every one of them has hot tubs.

Matlock lodges with hot tubs: six parks within 40 minutes

Drive times are from the centre of Matlock. Tap a column to sort, or use the Yes/No filters.

Darwin Forest, Derbyshire

Driving Distance: About 12 minutes (5.9 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 8 | Pet friendly? Yes

What to expect: Woodland lodges between Matlock and Bakewell, rated 4.8 by guests, at a park that’s won the Hoseasons Best in Britain award.

Who will love it? Families who want plenty on site. You’ll find an indoor pool, fishing, the Evolution Health and Fitness centre, the Foresters bar and restaurant and the Little Monkeys indoor play centre. Spa lodges have hot tubs, and some take dogs.

What’s nearby? The Heights of Abraham is a short drive south, and Bakewell and its lodges are a short hop north.

Hazelhurst Lodges, Derbyshire

Driving Distance: About 16 minutes (7.9 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 6 | Pet friendly? No

What to expect: A quiet spot in the hills near the village of Ashover, with views across miles of unspoilt countryside. Guests rate it a perfect 5.0.

Expect contemporary lodges with country-style furnishings and a hot tub on the deck. Walks start straight from the door. It’s pet free, so it suits couples and families who’d rather have a dog-free stay.

Rivendale Lodge Retreat, Derbyshire

Driving Distance: About 22 minutes (12.9 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 8 | Pet friendly? Yes

What to expect: Lodges and treehouses inside the Peak District National Park, close to Dovedale, rated 4.8.

Walks and cycle trails start from the park, and there’s a dog wash for muddy paws afterwards. Add fishing and hot tubs, and it works for families. Couples should book a treehouse.

Sandybrook Lodges, Derbyshire

Driving Distance: About 22 minutes (13.1 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 8 | Pet friendly? Yes

What to expect: The former grounds of a 19th century manor house near Ashbourne, with its own historic pinetum and a woodland walk through a bluebell wood.

You get an indoor pool, fishing and hot tubs, and dogs are welcome. Come in late spring and the bluebells are out on the doorstep. Guests rate it 4.8.

Longnor Wood Holiday Park, Staffordshire

Driving Distance: About 35 minutes (20.1 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 4 | Pet friendly? Yes

What to expect: An adults-only park in the Peak District, rated 4.8, with one and two bedroom lodges and caravans.

Every stay has private decking, some with a hot tub. Some lodges are dog friendly too. It’s handy for Buxton, Bakewell and Chatsworth House, and it’s our pick for a quiet anniversary weekend.

Ramshorn Estate Woodland Lodges, Staffordshire

Driving Distance: About 40 minutes (22.1 miles) | Sleeps: Up to 14 | Pet friendly? Yes

What to expect: Self-catering lodges in 30 acres of natural woodland on the edge of the Peak District, minutes from Alton Towers and rated 4.8.

The biggest lodges sleep up to 14, so this is the one for a family get-together. There are hot tubs, dogs are welcome, and a day at Alton Towers fits easily around your days in the Derbyshire Dales.

Browse every UK lodge with a hot tub or the full list of Derbyshire lodges if you’d like to see more.

Why book lodges near Matlock for a weekend away?

Matlock and Matlock Bath sit just outside the Peak District National Park boundary. That means you get the hills and the walking without the crowds of the busiest honeypots. Better still, the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site runs for 15 miles down the river from Matlock Bath to Derby. The cable cars, caves and riverside paths are all within a few minutes of each other.

It’s an easy place to do a lot in a short break. Be on the Heights of Abraham by 10am, back for lunch on the deck, then out again for the Illuminations after dark.

Things to do near your Matlock lodge

Heights of Abraham cable cars (20 March to 1 November 2026)

Climb into a bubble car at the bottom of the gorge and you’re carried up over the River Derwent, the railway and the A6 to a hilltop park high above Matlock Bath. The views back down the valley are the best in town. One ticket covers the lot:

• The cable car ride up and back down
• Guided tours of the Great Masson and Great Rutland caverns, old lead mines deep in the hill
• Exhibitions, adventure play areas and the viewing platforms

Dogs can ride the cable cars and explore the estate, though they can’t go into the caverns or the restaurant.

It’s open daily from 20 March to 1 November 2026, 10am to 4pm on weekdays and until 5pm at weekends and in school holidays. Book on the Heights of Abraham website.

Matlock Bath Illuminations (12 September to 1 November 2026)

This is the big one. Lit boats float along the Derwent after dark, the trees in Derwent Gardens glow, and on fireworks nights the whole gorge lights up. The parish council lists a preview night on 12 September, then every weekend until 1 November, with fireworks on each Saturday in October and on 1 November.

Arrive early, as the car parks in the village fill fast on these nights!

Cromford Mills and the Derwent Valley

Just over a mile south of Matlock Bath, Richard Arkwright built his first water-powered cotton mill at Cromford in 1771, and the site is now the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The courtyard, shops and cafes are free to visit, and guided tours tell the full story.

Gulliver’s Kingdom and the Matlock Bath Aquarium

Gulliver’s Kingdom is a hillside theme park aimed at kids aged roughly 2 to 13, open from mid March to early November in 2026, with a log flume perched 300ft above the Derwent Valley.

The Matlock Bath Aquarium on North Parade is a cheerful hour on a wet day. Its thermal pool is full of big carp in water of around 20°C, and the village’s last petrifying well holds almost 100 objects slowly turned to stone, including a bowler hat.

Is the Peak District Mining Museum worth a visit?

If it’s raining, yes. The Peak District Lead Mining Museum sits inside the Grand Pavilion on South Parade and tells the story of lead mining in the hills around you. It also runs underground tours of Temple Mine, a real 1920s lead and fluorspar mine, and kids can try gold panning. Places are limited, so the Peak District Mines Historical Society advises booking ahead.

Boats on the Derwent and fish and chips on North Parade

Matlock Bath looks like a Victorian seaside town that’s lost its sea, with fish and chip shops, ice cream and gift shops lining the river along North Parade. Grab a cone, then head behind the Grand Pavilion, where boats are for hire on the river:

• Rowing boats for up to 5 people
• Pedalos for two
• A solar powered motor boat with wheelchair access

Hall Leys Park and Peak Rail in Matlock

Up in Matlock, Hall Leys Park has a boating lake, a miniature railway, mini golf and a splash area. The railway and splash pad are seasonal. Nearby, Peak Rail runs steam and diesel heritage trains for about four miles from Matlock to Rowsley South, close to Matlock station, with Santa specials in December 2026.

Chatsworth House (about 20 minutes away)

In 2026, Christmas at Chatsworth runs from 7 November to 3 January 2027 with a “12 Days of Christmas” theme and a Christmas market below the house until 13 December. Carry on north and you’re soon in Hathersage and the upper Derwent.

Crich Tramway Village (about 20 minutes away)

Step back in time at the National Tramway Museum, where vintage trams rattle along a recreated period street. Your ticket includes unlimited tram rides, and dogs on leads can ride on the lower deck. The Crich Tramway Village season runs from mid March to 1 November 2026, and Tramlight brings the trams out after dark on 7 November.

The main attractions at a glance:

Walks and bike rides from Matlock Bath

Lovers’ Walks and High Tor

Laid out in the mid 18th century when Matlock Bath was a spa, Lovers’ Walks cross the river and climb through the woods under the cliffs. Link them with High Tor, the limestone crag that rises to 205 metres, for a short, steep loop with views down the gorge to the cable cars.

Lumsdale Valley waterfalls

On the outskirts of Matlock, Bentley Brook tumbles past the ivy-covered ruins of 17th century water mills. A circular walk of about 3.3km takes an hour or so, with squeeze stiles and a steep climb, so leave the pushchair behind. Park on Lumsdale Road (DE4 5LB), as there’s no parking in the valley.

Cromford Canal and the High Peak Trail

From Cromford Wharf, the canal towpath runs one and a quarter miles along the water to Leawood Pump House and High Peak Junction. It’s flat, easy and lovely with a dog. Look out for the aqueduct carrying the canal over the river.

For something longer, the High Peak Trail runs 17.5 traffic-free miles from High Peak Junction to Dowlow near Buxton, along the old Cromford and High Peak Railway. Join it at Black Rocks or Middleton Top, where cycle hire opens daily in June, July and August, and at weekends and school holidays from April to October.

Rainy day ideas near your lodge

• The aquarium, thermal pool and petrifying well in the heart of Matlock Bath
• Temple Mine and the Peak District Mining Museum
• A guided tour at Cromford Mills
• An afternoon in the hot tub. Rain doesn’t matter once you’re in!

For bigger hills, the ridge above Castleton and the Hope Valley is under an hour north, with Mam Tor at the head of the valley.

When’s the best time for a hot tub break in Matlock?

Matlock Bath is busiest on summer Sundays, when motorbikes line North Parade, and on Illuminations weekends. Spring and autumn weekdays are quieter.

How do you get to Matlock, and where do you park?

• Matlock Bath and Matlock both have stations on the Derwent Valley Line from Derby.
• Derbyshire Dales District Council runs the pay and display car parks: Station Yard, Temple Road, Artists Corner and the Pavilion.
• The Heights of Abraham lists £7.20 for a full day, paid in coins or by the PayByPhone app, as the machines don’t take cards.
• Temple Road and Artists Corner have 2.1m height barriers, and the Pavilion has a two hour maximum stay.
• Event pricing can apply in the Matlock Bath car parks on Illuminations evenings, so check the council’s charges before you set off.

What should you pack for a lodge break in Matlock?

Tick these off as you pack.

Sharing a lodge near Matlock

A lodge sleeping 8 or 14 gets much cheaper per head when you split the bill with family or friends. Pop your numbers in below, or find lodges near you if you’d rather stay closer to home.

Matlock lodge FAQs

Cable cars, caves or simply a quiet soak with a view: there’s a lodge around Matlock for every kind of break. See our East Midlands lodges too, or start your search for a holiday lodge in the UK.