You’ll be happy to know that there are lots of things to do in Matlock with your dog. So if you’re coming for a daytrip or perhaps you’re staying on holiday for a few days, then please read on.
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Dog Walks in Matlock
Matlock is a busy town in the Peak District, but you can escape the hustle and bustle by visiting the beautiful Hall Leys Park in the centre of Matlock or perhaps venturing further afield. We give you some options below.
Hall Leys Park
This is a beautiful park situated in the centre of Matlock. It is popular will everyone and has a play area for families and young children, a small boating lake and also plenty of space to wander around with your dog. There are always lots of beautiful flower beds to look at.
Set inside the park boundary there is the Cafe in the Park, which is dog friendly and a lovely place to enjoy lunch or a hot drink and a snack.
Public toilets are available in Hall Leys park at a small charge of 20 pence. You do need to have some change on you though.
Cromford Canal
The Cromford canal is a short drive from Matlock, but we couldn’t exclude this fantastic area from a dog walking perspective. You could spend a leisurely morning in Matlock and then head down to Cromford Canal for an interesting afternoon. If you park at Cromford Wharf, you can saunter down the canalside towards High Peak Junction (where there are refreshments) and then retrace your steps to the car park. In addition there is the Cromford Mills to visit, parts of which are dog friendly.
If you’d like details of a circular walk from Cromford Canal then check out our Weekend Walk from Cromford Mills
Black Rocks
This is another stunning walking area to visit, which is just a short drive from Matlock. From Matlock you need to head towards Cromford and turn right off the A6 towards Wirksworth. You’ll climb up Cromford Hill and you’ll find Black Rocks at the top of the hill on the left had side.
There is a car park with a cafe and there are numerous walks that you can do from the trail. You can turn left and walk down the high peak trail towards the Cromford Canal – but beware you’ll have a steep climb back up again! Alternatively you can head into the woodland areas following one of the many marked trails.
If you’d like more information about Black Rocks then please read our Black Rocks Cromford post. You’ll find a leaflet that shows you two walks from Black Rocks which your dog will love!
Some recommended dog walk books
Dog Friendly Pubs in Matlock
Once you’ve enjoyed a nice dog walk, you might be ready for a drink or a meal. We’ve compiled a list of dog friendly pubs in Matlock which you can view, but here is a summary of a few:
The Remarkable Hare: 77 Dale Road DE4 3LT
Twenty Ten: 16 Dale Road DE4 3LT – good to see that there are lots of reviews about how dog friendly this bar is.
The Sycamore Inn: 9 Sycamore Road DE4 3HZ
Duke of Wellington: 115 Wellington St DE4 3GX
Dog Friendly Cafes in Matlock
Matlock Cafe: 9 Bakewell Road DE4 3AU (across the road from M&S Foods).
The Mad Hatter: 34 Crown Square DE4 3AT (Just a little further along the road from Matlock Cafe).
The Black Cat Cafe: The Courtyard, Dale Rd DE4 3LT – a quiet courtyard setting off Dale Road
Butter Fingers: 109 Dale Road DE4 3LU – dog biscuits appeared from behind the counter!
Cafe in the Park: 38 Causeway Lane DE4 3AR – inside the boundary of Hall Leys Park
Dog Friendly Attractions
Peak Rail
Peak Rail is a preserved railway line using diesel and steam locomotives. The line runs for 4 miles from Rowsley to Matlock Platform 2. It was part of the old Midland railway line, which used to run between Manchester Central and London St Pancras. The old line closed in 1968 and has been lovingly refurbished to what you see today.
Dogs are allowed in the carriages, a maximum of two in each carriage.
From previous reviews that I’ve read on Tripadvisor, whilst the train is dog friendly, the cafes and refreshment places are not. It is worth knowing that there are plenty of dog friendly cafes and bars in Matlock, and the one’s on Dale Road are probably the nearest to the Matlock train station.
Locations of the stations
I’ve provided the postcodes of each station for Sat Nav purposes.
Ample parking is available at Rowsley South station DE4 2LF
Darley Dale Station DE4 2EQ
Matlock Station DE4 3NA
More attractions at Matlock Bath
Matlock Bath is just a short distance down the A6 from Matlock itself. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a different world!
There is a promenade, called the Parade. There is both a North Parade and a South Parade, but really it is all just one continuous road. You’ll find all kinds of pubs, cafes and shops, most have outdoor seating. Many of these are dog friendly.
There is a riverside walk that you can do, if you cross the Jubilee bridge and walk along Lovers Walk
We hope you enjoy Matlock
We hope that you’ve found this guide useful and hopefully you’ll find somewhere fun and exciting to take your dog.
You might also enjoy our Things to Do In Buxton article. We’ve got lots of dog friendly information on that post if you’re thinking of visiting the beautiful spa town of Buxton.
Alternatively if you want a more general guide, then please check out our 12 Things to Do in The Peak District with your dog.
