It made a nice change for us today to be experiencing a different area of the Peak as we made our way from Chatsworth towards The Fishpond in Matlock Bath.
And since our plan meant that we wouldn’t reach The Fishpond until the end of our walk, we even sneaked an extra ( non F) pub stop in at lunch time.
The Square and Compass at Darley Dale certainly ticked all our boxes ( including an interesting name) so now we’re planning for an official alphabet return trip here, when we actually get to S.
But….back to today’s F:
The Fishpond Hotel is on the A6, the main road through the town of Matlock Bath.
It’s situated across the road from the Grand Pavilion which must have looked splendid when it was first built in 1910 as a pump room dispensing thermal mineral waters.
After a varied career the building gradually deteriorated from its glory days but happily was rescued from demolition by community action in 1910 and is now a performing arts centre and also home to the excellent lead mining museum ( well worth a visit.)
Next to the pavilion building is the actual Fishpond which has given the pub its name and which, like the Pavilion, has long been one of the tourist attractions of Matlock Bath.
I’ve childhood memories of feeding the fish in this pond but never realised until now that it had been a favourite spot since Victorian times. Visitors came to marvel at the size of the fish which grew from year to year (thanks to their feeding of them) but also due to the constant temperature of the thermal spa water that makes up the pond.
Even more curious it seems that, not
only the fish, but also the central rock-feature of the pond, made of Tufa stone, actually grew over the years too!
Going back further still, before the fish and the tufa rock were introduced for the tourists, apparently it was in this pond that the stage coach horses were washed after their journeys before being stabled nearby. The stable buildings which were all part of the New Bath Hotel, a major spa venue in the town, no longer exist apart from the one which now happens to be part of our Fishpond pub.
These days it’s where the pub holds its many live music events….and it’s even a wedding venue should you fancy tying the knot in historic Matlock Bath.
It’s still known as the Ballroom, a nod to its previous use after conversion from its stable beginnings.
I’m finding it quite a stretch to imagine all these changes over time but there’s a pleasant and ample outdoor seating area at the front of the pub which is a great spot from which to attempt it, should you wish to…..Or more simply to watch the very different world of present day Matlock Bath going by.
Inside, the pub is large and open plan with various separate areas which were probably separate rooms before fashions changed.
Perhaps less well known is that the pub has its own back garden complete with thermal waterfall issuing from a limestone cliff and its very own pond too.
Well worth a look.
The range of drinks and food looks extensive and very inviting.
As one would probably expect it’s far more like a town pub than a suburban or rural one and this one definitely seems to know what it’s doing too.
On arrival we were also impressed by the proximity of the pub to the bus stop; always a welcome feature at the end of a day’s walk.
Unfortunately though this resulted in us having a rather short stay today since partway through our well-earned drinks we suddenly realised that a bus was due.
Of course we could have thrown caution to the winds and carried on enjoying ourselves but, as regular bus users will know, it’s hard to ignore a bus that’s heading in your direction as you never really know when there’ll be another.
After a brief beer versus bus dilemma we chose the latter and as it happened we had a perfect journey home with a seamless change to the 218 in Bakewell to round off a stress free return trip.
We were definitely left wanting more of the Matlock Fishpond experience though, so it’s highly likely we will soon be planning a return trip here too. Highly recommended.
Today’s Walk & Transport Information
We caught the 218 from Sheffield towards Bakewell alighting at Chatsworth House.
We returned from Matlock Bath to Bakewell on the Buxton TransPeak and then caught a 218 back to Sheffield.
The Sixes also travel between Matlock Bath and Bakewell.
Alternatively we could have caught an X17 straight through to Sheffield.
We began by walking through Chatsworth Park following the Derwent Heritage Trail to Rowsley, then continuing by the Derwent to Darley Bridge where we took a refreshment break at the Square and Compass. After this we crossed the bridge and continued along Aston Lane to its junction with Oker Road. After briefly turning left we took the first footpath on the right, continuing past Snitterton Hall and then uphill very steeply past Jug Holes and straight over Nailor Lane at the crest of the hill. The path joins a track which descends into Bonsall Village. After walking through the village the route takes the lane on the left of the village square, Church Street, passing the church and the school continuing out of the village and towards Matlock Bath, eventually joining Upperwood Road and winding down into the town to The Fishpond Hotel.
The bus stop is just outside the pub.
Use the link below to access the full route with details of elevation and distance. Download the free Footpath app in order to follow the route showing your location at all times for a hassle free walk.
For old school navigation use the OS Light Peak leisure map.
https://footpathapp.com/routes/EB26425B-B74E-4CB6-92E7-A2792FA9DEE8?units=metric
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk today which began with the familiar territory of Chatsworth Park but soon included enjoyable new terrain including riverside paths, the old Church with its yew tree at Churchtown
and the fascinating Jug Hole caves and old lead mines
en route to the quaint village of Bonsall.
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