Matlock - River Derwent

The nearest stretch of moving water with open access within the Derbyshire Dales, is the River Derwent, South of Matlock. Half a mile stretch, from the pay and display car park called Artist's Corner Matlock (north), to a footbridge crossing the river below the cable cars at Matlock Bath (south). OS Ref: 199 1:50,000 SK296587.

The first stretch of about 1/4-mile is Grade 1 (moving water, Grade 2 at winter high water). A Canoe Slalom Course with gates carries on for the next 1/4 mile between the two footbridges; this is classed as Grade 2 (rapids) Grade 2/3 at winter high water. Beware of the central rock nicknamed "Killer" and the chains across the river supporting the lower footbridge.

There is access and egress at Artist Corner is by means of steps (river right) down to the waters edge. Access and egress at the Slalom Course is by means of steps down to the waters edge, grassed area (river right), upstream of the Slalom Course, or steps (river right) at the bottom of the Slalom Site.

Do not paddle past the lower bridge.

Other than the pay and display car parking at Artist's Corner, (please do not forget your ticket), there is free parking in the lay-by adjacent to the Slalom Course, one hour limited parking on the main road (A6) and fee paying parking in the railway station car park.

Please respect the canoeing code and change discretely!

Matlock - Flat Water

Approx. 8 miles SW of Matlock, Carsington Water, an artificial lake which provides four square miles of open water with first class changing facilities, coffee bar, visitor centre, gift shops, cycle hire, board and dingy sailing. Surrounded in beautiful countryside and rolling hills. Fee paying car park.

Approx 21 miles NE of Matlock, Rother Valley provides open water in the form of a large lake, with changing facilities, boat/equipment hire, visitors centre and cafe. Fee paying car park.

Local Attractions

Matlock Lido Swimming Pool, High Tor, Cable Car Rides, Heights of Abraham Visitors Centre and Mines, Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath and Matlock Bath Illuminations (between the end August to the end of October), Crich (TV's "Peak Practice" Country), Crich Stand and Tramway Museum, Peak Railway, Whistlestop Countryside Centre, Masson Shopping village, Rowsley Peak village and Cromford Mill.

Camping and Caravanning Sites

Wayside Farm Camping and Caravanning Site, Chesterfield Road, Matlock Moor, Matlock.

Lickpenny Caravan Site, Lickpenny Lane, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5GF. Tel: 01629 583040

Sycamore Caravan and Camping Site, Fox Holes, Matlock Moor.

Merebrook Caravan and Camping Site, Whatstandwell, Derbyshire.

Bunkhouses

Venture Centre, Cromford Mill (01629) 823256