Top 10 Waterfalls around Matlock Town
Best waterfalls around Matlock Town are found in a region characterized by its natural beauty and industrial heritage. Matlock, a town in Derbyshire, offers a landscape where natural cascades meet historical industrial sites. The area features a mix of natural waterfalls, historical mill ruins, and engineered water features. These water features are often integrated into walking trails, providing access to both natural and historical sites.
Best waterfalls around Matlock Town
- The most popular waterfalls is Sowter Stone Waterfall, a viewpoint that features a stone carved into a basin at the top, holding a pool of water. It offers views over Chatsworth House and its gardens.
- Another must-see spot is Lumsdale Falls, a waterfall and historical site. This location combines natural cascades with the ruins of 17th-century water-powered mills.
- Visitors also love Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins and Waterfall, a waterfall and natural monument. This site holds important examples of water-powered mills in Britain and was scheduled as an ancient monument in 2014.
- Matlock Town is known for natural waterfalls, historical mill cascades, and engineered weirs. The area offers a variety of water features to see and explore.
- The waterfalls around Matlock Town are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 240 upvotes and 139 photos shared.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
Sowter Stone Waterfall
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Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins and Waterfall
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Unfortunately, there are areas and buildings in a very poor state of repair and most of the permissive access to the old buildings, Bentley Brook, the mill ponds and waterfall has been restricted while they seek funds to stabilise, make safe and repair the buildings and features.
There is still some access on the public footpath that goes through the valley and the permissive path which gets a bit closer to the old mill is open during the week from 9:00 - 20:00. It is closed during the weekend.
Please note that there is no parking in the valley, if you would like to walk through here it's best to walk from Matlock or take the bus which stops on Chesterfield Road (north of the valley) and then walk through Lumsdale and back to Matlock centre.
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Lumsdale Falls
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Sydnope Brook Waterfall
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The Sydnop Brook is small and tumbling with a nice little waterfall close to the steep and sometimes muddy/slippery path. It's a pretty walk up through the woodland.
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Smeltingmill Brook in Beeley Plantation
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A very stunning waterfall on outskirts of Matlock, this is a less busy waterfall than Lumsdale so well worth a visit, some paths are slightly overgrwon as not used as much
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Short little walk if you can get parked on the road. Beautiful place that is a must see!
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Harnessing the power of moving water to drive a mill wheel is an ancient invention of human discovery, whose origins can be traced back to ancient times. Thanks to such a design, a watercourse – natural or artificial – could simply replace human or animal muscle power with the power of natural elements, for example, to grind grain into corn or press oil from fruit. There are essentially two drive variants for watermills: * Either the flowing water simply hits the blades of the water wheel from below to set it in motion; or * the water is guided above the wheel – usually through a so-called "mill channel" – and falls onto the blades. This design, thanks to natural gravity, ensures greater efficiency.
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Water from the Ring Pond flows over the Sowter Stone and down to the Aqueduct, which was constructed by Paxton in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s as part of his improvements to Stand Wood. The water continues down through Stand Wood and enters the garden above the Cascade Pond.
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Easy to miss the entrance to view the waterfalls w3w manliness.audio.inches GR SK 31279 60558 You enter through a gap in the wall/fence (see my photo) and walk through to the Falls. The walk continues up steep steps to see more of Falls along Bentley Brook. Park with care near Highfields School and walk to see the Falls.
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Though part of the path is closed off and you can't go in or through the buildings, there's a permissive footpath that takes you to a great vantage point of the falls and the valley. You can also walk round to the Mill Pond that feeds the falls for another viewpoint.
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I walked the tour today and there is access through and close to the falls not sure where these comments of closure are from - access is restricted to the core of the mill but the falls are all open and clear
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular waterfalls around Matlock Town?
Among the most popular waterfalls, you'll find Sowter Stone Waterfall, known for its unique carved basin and views over Chatsworth House. Another must-see is Lumsdale Falls, which combines natural cascades with historical mill ruins. Visitors also appreciate the River Lathkill — Twelve Weirs, a series of historical weirs set in a picturesque valley.
Are there any waterfalls with historical significance near Matlock?
Yes, Lumsdale Falls is a prime example. This site features natural cascades alongside the ivy-covered ruins of 17th-century water-powered mills, which were used for lead smelting, cotton spinning, and bleaching. It's scheduled as an ancient monument, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and industrial archaeology.
Are there family-friendly waterfalls around Matlock Town?
The River Lathkill — Twelve Weirs is considered family-friendly. It features a series of weirs in a picturesque valley, accessible via a footpath through woodlands, making it suitable for walks with children.
What kind of walking trails can I find near Matlock waterfalls?
You can find a variety of walking trails. For instance, there are easy routes like the Lumsdale Valley Trail, and moderate options such as the Lumsdale Falls – High Tor and Giddy Edge loop. Many trails combine natural beauty with historical sites. You can explore more options in the Waterfall hikes around Matlock Town guide.
What is the best time of year to visit the waterfalls?
The waterfalls around Matlock are beautiful in every season. However, they are particularly impressive when the falls are in full force, typically after periods of rain. Note that the River Lathkill is a winterbourne stream and may dry up during the summer months.
Are there any hidden gem waterfalls worth exploring?
While not widely known, Sydnope Brook Waterfall offers a charming, small, and tumbling cascade within a pretty woodland walk. It's a lovely spot for those seeking a quieter natural escape.
What other outdoor activities can I do near these waterfalls?
Beyond waterfall visits, the area offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy and moderate options, as well as road cycling routes. For detailed hiking suggestions, check out the Waterfall hikes around Matlock Town guide or the Easy hikes around Matlock Town guide. Cyclists can explore routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Matlock Town guide.
Is there parking available for Lumsdale Falls?
There is no dedicated parking directly in the Lumsdale Valley. It's recommended to walk from Matlock town center or take a bus that stops on Chesterfield Road (north of the valley) and then walk through Lumsdale.
Can I access all parts of Lumsdale Falls and the mill ruins?
Access to certain areas, particularly the actual waterfall and some mill ruins, may be restricted. The site is owned by the Arkwright Society, which is working on preservation. While public footpaths remain open, some permissive access to old buildings and Bentley Brook may be limited, especially on weekends and bank holidays, due to ongoing stabilization and repair efforts.
Are there any waterfalls that offer views of notable landmarks?
Yes, Sowter Stone Waterfall at Chatsworth Park provides wonderful views over Chatsworth House and its extensive gardens from its location in Stand Wood.
What makes the River Lathkill unique?
The River Lathkill is unique as it is a winterbourne stream, meaning it can dry up during the summer. It's known for its series of weirs constructed by Victorians primarily for trout fishing, and it flows through Lathkill Dale, a picturesque limestone valley.
Are there any waterfalls that are part of a larger estate or park?
Yes, Sowter Stone Waterfall is located within Chatsworth Park. It was designed by Joseph Paxton, the gardener responsible for Chatsworth, to flow into an aqueduct that leads to the gardens below.
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