Matlock
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
It’s easy to understand just why Matlock Bath is such a mecca for bikers. The roads surrounding this picturesque Peak District town have everything, with a set of real tarmac twisters on which to test your technique and superb straights where you can open up the throttle. Add to that some of the most startlingly beautiful scenery England has to offer and a host of bike friendly hostelries and you’d be hard pushed to find somewhere better to while away a summer’s afternoon.
We have pulled out insidebikes own favourite ride but you’d be well advised to discover the area for yourself.
The Route
Matlock Bath-Winnats Pass-Sparrowpit-Wanted Inn Pass-Matlock.
Start from outside the Fishponds pub on South Parade and head south on the A6. At Cromford turn right to take the A5012 (signed for Newhaven). After 200 yards turn right to continue on the A5012. Continue past the turn for Bonsall where the national speed limit [60mph] kicks in and the road becomes one long succession of bends (watch out for quarry lorries). Around 4.5 miles into the route, turn right onto the B5056 (signed for Bakewell) and enjoy the view after the Miners Arms pub. Going down the incline prepare for a series of severe bends and the occasional wild deer.
Arriving at a T-junction turn tight to continue on the B5056 and then turn right to join the A6. At Rowsley [30mph] take a left onto the B6012 (signed Baslow). After about 1/2 mile the national speed limit returns (60mph) but shortly after the road narrows before entering Beesley, exiting onto a short straight and into a long, sharp bend which ends at a one-way bridge with lights. The road then passes into Chatsworth (with the House to your right) so beware slow moving tourists and cattle grids on entry and exit from the estate. Follow the road as it veers right, becoming the A619 as you enter Baslow. At roundabout take the first exit onto the A623 (signed for Manchester) and go straight over the mini-roundabout lurking some 150 yards on. Continue through Calver [40mph] and go straight over the Crossroads and on past Stoney Middleton [30mph], watching out for the road narrowing, quarry traffic joining from the left and a sharp bend. Continue through Housley, 1m after which you’ll find services. At the staggered junction take a right at the Anchor Pub onto the B6049 (signed Bradwell) and enjoy a near 2m straight which goes straight into a very tight series of bends. At the bottom of the incline the road narrows and goes into another series of not-so-tight bends before entering Bradwell [30mph] and on [40mph] straight into Brough and to a narrow one-way bridge with priority to oncoming vehicles.
At the T-junction, turn left onto A6187 (signed Castleton) and journey through Hope [30mph], watching out for a cattle grid just after a bridge [40mph]. Enter Castleton [30mph] looking out for wayward tourists and speed bumps, then exit the village by going straight over the mini-roundabout, going past the Peak Cavern and taking the next left (signed for Speedwell Cavern light vehicles only). Go over the cattle grid and head up the incredibly steep Winnats Pass which ends in a blind brow and another cattle grid. At head of pass, turn left to follow the B6061 (signed Sparrowpit) where a brief straight takes you to a 12% incline with a hidden dip into some great Z bends. The road veers sharply to the left at the junction with the A623. Turn left to enjoy the fast and furious Wanted Inn Pass which begins with an open throttle straight before hitting a great little chicane, rewarding you with great views at the summit and another super straight which returns you to the outbound route back via Peak Forest [40mph] through Stoney Middleton, Baslow and on to Matlock.
NB. For a longer route turn right off the Wanted Inn Pass (A623) about 2m south of Peak Forest onto the B6049 (signed for Litton) and continue through Millers Dale, left at the A6 and on to the A5270 at Blackwell and left on to the A515. Continue for 2m and take a left onto the B5055 to Bakewell where you rejoin the A6 for Matlock.
Speed Traps
Perhaps reflecting the seasonal and weekend nature of speeding on these rural roads, there appears to be no Gatsos, but Derbyshire Police implement regular enforcement campaigns using portable and mobile traps.
Police File
Derbyshire Police are taking a pragmatic approach to reducing casualties among bikers on its patch, which saw 16 biking fatalities in 1999. Traditional enforcement methods are being backed by a softly-softly strategy which aims to encourage safe riding. Enforcement is targeted at accident blackspots (and in areas where locals have complained) making the feeder roads into Matlock (the A6, A615, A632 and A5102) high on the hit list. Hand-held radars and camera-carrying marked and unmarked cars, motorbikes - and even the force helicopter - will feature in a summer campaign.
Biker Beds
Matlock’s Old English Hotel offers reasonably priced, bike friendly, en-suite B&B accommodation. Similarly priced is Fountain Villa in Matlock Bath. Whilst a little pricier, Haddon House Farm near Bakewell is an idyllic rural retreat situated in a picturesque valley on the Haddon Hall Estate - but accommodation is limited so you’re advised to book in advance.
Pitstops
In Matlock check out the centrally-located Old English Hotel on Dale Road. Open all day it offers bar and restaurant meals. Down the road in Matlock Bath, the Fish Pond is a popular biker haunt, thanks to hosts Keith and Dawn’s warm welcome, a decent selection of lagers and beer (including hand-pulled real ales), food and a big telly promising WSB and Grand Prix coverage. For a halfway halt, try The Wanted Inn one of a select few pubs to enjoy having a run named after it - the stretch of the A623 between Sparrowpit and Stoney Middleton.
Tourist Information
Debyshire Dales District Council, Matlock, Derbyshire.
