Matlock and Matlock Bath Images: The Royal Hotel

"The Royal Hotel occupies the site of the Old Bath Hotel. It is the finest and most imposing looking building in Matlock. It was originally commenced as a company, passed into the hands of Major Weiland, who expended £20,000 on its completion. Its grounds are remarkably picturesque, and the private entrances are through rockeries and conservatories" (Black, pp.225-6)^[1].

Continuing the same theme, Kelly's Directory describes the hotel as follows: "The Royal hotel occupies an eminence on the side of the Old Bath, and is a substantial building of stone, surrounded by beautiful grounds affording highly attractive views of the immediate neighbourhood ; it has been enlarged and fitted with baths of every description. The great mineral spring adjoining it yields 10,000 gallons an hour" (p.300)^[1899].

A few years later, Benjamin Bryan did not mince his words when writing his "History": "The adjoining Royal Hotel was another unsuccessful company undertaking. The building, projected in 1866, was designed for use as a hydropathic establishment, but the company's capital becoming exhausted while it was in course of erection, it stood unfinished for a number of years. In 1878, it was completed and opened as an hotel, and as such it now carries on. It has a dining room 70 feet in length, and 100 bed and associated chambers, besides a suite of hydropathic baths and a modern tepid water swimming bath. A second Hydropathic Company was projected in June, 1882, with a capital of £30,000, in 6,000 shares of £5 each. It was proposed to purchase the building and contents for £25,000. All the directors, of whom there were nine, were, with one exception, strangers to the place. This property is also now in private hands" (p.195)^[2].

During the First War, between 1917 and 1919, the Hotel was used as a Convalescent Home by Canadian Officers^[3].

Tragedy struck in 1929. There was a disastrous fire on 1st April and much of the building had to be demolished. A small wing remained for about thirty years.

There is more information elsewhere on this website :

Postcard of the Old Pavilion & Royal Hotel

There is another postcard, posted in 1901 (scroll down page)

A description of the Royal Hotel is in "Bemroses' Guide" (no date, but about 1869) - see pages 18 -19

See the London Gazette References in 1869 | 1889

One of the Boots Cash Chemist "Pelham" Series. Where the stamp is to go are the words: Affix half penny stamp inland. Penny stamp Foreign. Printed in Prussia. Exact date difficult as the card is not postmarked but possibly about 1910.
Postcard in the collection of, provided by and © Ann Andrews Intended for personal use only

References (the coloured links are to onsite transcripts):

^[1] "Black's Tourist Guide to Derbyshire" (1888) pub. Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh
^[2] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited. The adjoining property he refers to is the Old Pavilion and Gardens.
^[3] Beresford, Charles "The Bath at War, A Derbyshire Community and the Great War" (2007). Country Books/Ashridge Press. ISBN 978 1 901214 91 8. Several chapters are devoted to the time the Canadians spent in Matlock Bath.
^[1899] "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland", pub. London (1899) There are online transcripts: 19th century directories