Our trail begins with our back to the main road. To our left along the high street is the row of shops that epitomise Matlock Bath’s tourism today, But look ahead towards the river and its banks and we can find out how Matlock’s visitor appeal all began.
You can’t miss the pink tones and dome of the now slightly tired looking ‘Grand’ Pavilion. The building seems at odds with the natural backdrop behind it. But the two are actually closely related. The Grand Pavilion once stood proud among hundreds of bustling day trippers, searching for shelter and entertainment. But what brought them all here?
Built in 1905 by a team of German contractors, the Pavilion was originally called The Kursaal, a German name which literally means the ‘cure room’. This translation is a hint, but venture behind the Pavilion and the full picture begins to emerge…
[Read more…] about Grand Pavilion and the Derwent River Gardens