🇬🇧 Matlock, United Kingdom
High Tor Hotel
📍 170 Dale Rd, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3PS, UK
Your stay — High Tor Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Matlock.
The Property — High Tor Hotel
High Tor Hotel perches on a hillside above Matlock, offering sweeping valley views that make its modest three-star interiors feel secondary to the landscape. The lobby blends traditional Derbyshire stone with warm wooden accents, exuding a quiet, old-world charm suited to couples and hikers seeking a peaceful base. Its USP is immediate access to the High Tor cliffside trails and a sun-trap terrace, perfect for unwinding after a day on the moors. Standing there, you smell woodsmoke from the fireplace and hear the River Derwent murmuring below.
Chronicles of Matlock
Matlock grew from a medieval market town into a Victorian spa destination after warm springs were discovered in the 1690s, drawing visitors for their supposed healing properties. The arrival of the railway in 1849 sparked a boom, leaving a legacy of grand hotels and elegant villas along the limestone gorge. Today, the town blends this 19th-century architecture with a modern outdoor adventure scene, centred around rock climbing, caving, and the scenic Peak District. Its cultural identity remains tied to the natural amphitheatre of the Derwent Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a lively calendar of craft fairs and folk music.
Best Time to Visit
Full Matlock guide →Best months
May to September offer warm, settled weather for hiking the High Tor trails, with July and August seeing the most sunshine but also higher visitor numbers. June strikes an ideal balance: long daylight hours, blooming meadows, and manageable crowds before the school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak season driven by school breaks and the Matlock Victorian Weekend (late July/early August), which fills hotels and pushes room rates up by 30-50%. Prices at High Tor Hotel typically double during this period, with advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are best budget months: prices drop 20-40%, trails are quieter, and the spring daffodils or autumn foliage add beauty. Weather is milder, though expect occasional rain, making it ideal for cosy pub lunches and indoor attractions like the Heights of Abraham.
Weather & packing
Matlock’s microclimate can shift from warm sun to chilly rain within hours, especially along the gorge. Rule: pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes as your non-negotiable essentials, even in June.
Live City Briefing — Matlock
- The new 'Via Gellia' bus service (route 6.1) now connects Matlock directly to Bakewell, reducing journey times by 15 minutes; check the Derbyshire County Council site for up-to-date timetables.
- The Heights of Abraham cable cars are undergoing seasonal maintenance in early June 2026, with a planned reopening date of June 12th — investigate alternative attractions if visiting before then.
- Matlock Town Council has launched a 'Clean Air Zone' trial near the railway station, affecting parking fees and traffic flow; visitors arriving by car should pre-book spaces via the new 'ParkMatlock' app.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to High Tor Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor front room (second floor, facing Dale Road). These rooms are furthest from the reception area and any early-morning comings and goings, and they have the best chance of a view over the rooftops towards the Derwent valley. The double-glazing on a historic building will cut most street noise, but being up high reduces footfall sounds from the stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the ground floor. These are the only ones reachable without a full staircase, but main entrance has two steps and the hallway threshold adds noise from the front door and the small lobby. They also face the corridor where breakfast service and luggage movement happen, and the parking area is directly outside the front windows.
Best views
Rooms at the front (Dale Road side) on the first or second floor overlook the street and the park across the road, with a glimpse of the Derwent valley and the cable cars up to the Heights of Abraham. These have much more character than the back rooms, which face the hotel’s own car park and the rear of neighbouring properties.
Quietest floors
First floor and second floor are the quietest. Both are reached by stairs only (no lift), so they see less casual traffic than the ground floor, but the second floor is best for minimising noise from the reception and breakfast room.
🔊 Noise notes
Dale Road is a main route into Matlock Bath, carrying local traffic and tourist traffic to the Heights of Abraham car parks. The hotel sits on a slight bend, so engine noise is moderate but steady during daytime. At weekends, motorbikes and classic cars are common. The car park only holds 12 cars, so there is movement in and out of the small entrance area as people arrive and leave. No bar or evening noise source is mentioned, so night-time is generally quiet after 10pm.
Insider tips
Parking is free but limited to 12 spaces on a first-come basis. If you arrive after 2pm on a summer weekend, you will likely find the lot full. The Matlock Bath Station car park is 150m away and costs £6 per 24h — plan to drop luggage first, then move the car. Check-in is straightforward but there is no lift: ask for help with heavy bags if you are on the second floor. The basic WiFi is slow (5 Mbps) and ties to one device per room, so download maps or shows before you arrive.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — High Tor Hotel
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) throughout; no paid upgrade; login via room number and surname on single device
No lift; historic Victorian building, all rooms accessed via stairs over two floors
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader on preloaded tablet in the lounge (no physical papers); building operated as a hotel since 1896, retains original staircase and stained-glass window
Check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop available from 11:00 (free, luggage stored in reception); late check-out £15 until 12:00, subject to availability
Free on arrival day, £5 per bag for storage after check-out until 18:00 (by prior arrangement)
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps, no ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; ground-floor room available (accessed via 1 step and hallway threshold)
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Matlock Bath Station Car Park (150m), £6 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night's room rate charged as deposit at booking; £50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. John's Chapel (232 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St Giles (981 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Church In The Peak (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Saint Joseph (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Ship Loads — 854 m · ~11 min walk
Peak District Mining Museum — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Escape — 957 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Sainsbury's Bank — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Boots — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Matlock Bath General Store — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Matlock Bath — 838 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports or tourist spots due to poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted, including contactless and mobile pay; carry some cash for small rural shops or markets.
Optional; round up in taxis, leave 10-15% in restaurants if service charge not included, tip hotel staff £1-2 for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee or espresso at a local café around £2.50-3.00.
Sandwich or jacket potato at a café or pub lunch, about £6-8.
Main course at a pub or bistro, typically £10-14.
Limited; occasional food vans at markets or events, mainly in Matlock town centre.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Co-op are common budget supermarkets.
Charity shops and small independent stores in Matlock; nearest large high-street shopping is in Chesterfield or Derby.
Bus day rider about £5-6 from local services; from airports, take a National Express coach or train via Derby to save money.
Pre-book train tickets online for discounts; eat lunch at pubs for cheaper specials; use local bus services instead of taxis.
Good to know — Matlock
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
MatlockIn the UK, dial 999 for all emergency services (police, ambulance, fire). For non-emergency situations, use 101 for police. Matlock is located in Derbyshire, England.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Matlock, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at High Tor Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Sainsbury's Bank — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Matlock town centre → Local attractions & villages
💡 Peak District open-top buses available seasonally; hotel is walkable to most town amenities
East Midlands Airport → Matlock Railway Station (0.3 miles from hotel)
💡 Most reliable; take airport shuttle to Derby, then direct train to Matlock
East Midlands Airport → Matlock town centre
💡 Most economical option; requires coach to Derby then local bus connection
East Midlands Airport → New Bath Hotel, Matlock
💡 Book in advance for airport transfers; journey time varies with traffic on A38
About Matlock
Wikipedia ↗
Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire, England. It is in the south-eastern part of the Peak District, with the National Park directly to the west. The spa resort of Matlock Bath is immediately south of the town as well as Cromford lying further south still. The civil parish of Matlock Town had a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at High Tor Hotel?
Request a top-floor front room (second floor, facing Dale Road). These rooms are furthest from the reception area and any early-morning comings and goings, and they have the best chance of a view over the rooftops towards the Derwent valley. The double-glazing on a historic building will cut most street noise, but being up high reduces footfall sounds from the stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at High Tor Hotel?
Avoid any room on the ground floor. These are the only ones reachable without a full staircase, but main entrance has two steps and the hallway threshold adds noise from the front door and the small lobby. They also face the corridor where breakfast service and luggage movement happen, and the parking area is directly outside the front windows.
Is High Tor Hotel noisy?
Dale Road is a main route into Matlock Bath, carrying local traffic and tourist traffic to the Heights of Abraham car parks. The hotel sits on a slight bend, so engine noise is moderate but steady during daytime. At weekends, motorbikes and classic cars are common. The car park only holds 12 cars, so there is movement in and out of the small entrance area as people arrive and leave. No bar or evening noise source is mentioned, so night-time is generally quiet after 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at High Tor Hotel?
Rooms at the front (Dale Road side) on the first or second floor overlook the street and the park across the road, with a glimpse of the Derwent valley and the cable cars up to the Heights of Abraham. These have much more character than the back rooms, which face the hotel’s own car park and the rear of neighbouring properties.
What are insider tips for staying at High Tor Hotel?
Parking is free but limited to 12 spaces on a first-come basis. If you arrive after 2pm on a summer weekend, you will likely find the lot full. The Matlock Bath Station car park is 150m away and costs £6 per 24h — plan to drop luggage first, then move the car. Check-in is straightforward but there is no lift: ask for help with heavy bags if you are on the second floor. The basic WiFi is slow (5 Mbps) and ties to one device per room, so download maps or shows before you arrive.
What time is check-in at High Tor Hotel?
Check-in at High Tor Hotel is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does High Tor Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) throughout; no paid upgrade; login via room number and surname on single device
Is there a city or tourist tax at High Tor Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near High Tor Hotel?
Sandwich or jacket potato at a café or pub lunch, about £6-8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from High Tor Hotel?
Bus day rider about £5-6 from local services; from airports, take a National Express coach or train via Derby to save money.
When is the best time to visit Matlock?
May to September offer warm, settled weather for hiking the High Tor trails, with July and August seeing the most sunshine but also higher visitor numbers. June strikes an ideal balance: long daylight hours, blooming meadows, and manageable crowds before the school holidays.
Top Attractions in Matlock
💡 Look for the 15th-century wall painting of St. Christopher near the main door—it's often overlooked by visitors.
💡 Check the council website in summer for free band concerts every Sunday afternoon from June to August.
💡 Pick up a free map from the visitor centre in Cromford, then walk the circular route along the canal towpath to avoid paying for the museum.
💡 Go on a weekday morning when the crowds thin—weekends get packed with day-trippers. Feed the ducks at the south end.
💡 Skip the cable car and hike up the Zigzag Path from the car park for free views of the Derwent Valley.