Market Towns

Matlock is a bustling commercial and governmental centre with a wide range of independent shops, bars, and restaurants. This county town is centred on Hall Leys Park - see Map of Matlock. There are several antique shops on Dale Road.

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Getting to Matlock: The 172 bus from the bus stop on this side of the road at the bottom of the drive goes direct to Matlock - see 172 timetable. Or catch a diesel or steam train run by Peak Rail from Darley Dale Station (typically Saturdays and Sundays – also Wednesdays, but do check their website first). You could always walk one or both ways as there are also two lovely walks to Matlock - one of just over three miles along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way - pick it up opposite Darley Dale Station and walk on the foot and cycle path alongside the train track. There is a shorter walk cross-country via Snitterton (about 2.5 miles).

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On the beautiful River Wye, Bakewell is an attractive market town with a wide range of tourist facilities. It has a Monday stall market and livestock market. The 172 bus from the bus shelter opposite the bottom of the drive goes to Bakewell (in a rather circuitous way through Peak District villages).

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Wirksworth is a heritage market town with its origins in stone quarrying and the lead mining industry. The 6.1 bus from Darley Dale goes to the Market Square in Wirksworth (Sixes timetable).

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For parking in the above towns, see Derbyshire Dales car park locations.

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Buxton is an elegant spa town with many tourist attractions, well worth the half an hour drive, or  somewhat longer (but direct) bus journey from Darley Dale - see TransPeak (TP3 timetable).

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The nearest large market town and major shopping centre is Chesterfield with its crooked spire.