About the Guide

Bemroses' Guide is a beautifully illustrated and informative little book. Here you can browse through the whole of the Matlock section of the guide.

Page headers in old books contained what we now think of as sub headings; this guide was no exception and these are listed below in the chapter information. You'll also notice that the Guide may have the title Matlock, but is mostly about Matlock Bath. Many old books talked of Matlock, yet it was often 'The Bath' and its lovely scenery being described. Advertisements were placed at the back of Guides and all ten advertisements for Matlock and Matlock Bath in Bemroses' Guide are on site; suggested walks and places to visit were also included to make it a "must" for tourists to buy and read.

First Chapter Matlock p.08 Matlock p.09 Matlock-Bath-the Derwent p.10 Scenery at Matlock-Bath p.11 Matlock-Bath p.11 (cont) Matlock-Bath p.12 Rutland Cavern - Devonshire Cavern p.13 Romantic Rocks p.14 Speedwell Mine and Cumberland Cavern p.15 Museum Parade-Church at Matlock-Bath p.16 Petrifying Wells-Medicinal Springs. p.16 (cont) Petrifying Wells-Medicinal Springs. p.17 Matlock-Bath. p.18 The Old Bath. p.19 Hydropathic Establishment. p.20 Baths and Hotels. p.21 Lovers' Walks. p.22 Matlock Dale p.24 The Walk to Willersley Second Chapter The Return to Matlock p.36 The Return to Matlock p.37 Matlock Parish p.38 Matlock Church. p.39 The High Tor. p.39 (cont) The High Tor. p.40 The High Tor. p.41 Antiquities. p.42 Hydropathy. p.42 (cont) Hydropathy. p.43 Riber Castle. Advertisements 1. Mr. Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment, Matlock 2. Walker's Museum, Matlock Bath 3. Matlock House & Rockside 4. Royal Cumberland Cavern 5. Clark Greaves Radfirth & Stevenson 6. Midland Railway 01 7. Midland Railway 02

The first advertisement for the "Bemrose Guide to Matlock" was published in 1868 ("Bookseller" 2 June 1868). It was one of two new guide books, "just published".
The publication date for the third edition given here has been arrived at from a variety of "clues" within the guide itself, though there is no actual date given on the title page. The railway timetables are dated 14th May 1869 and this guide was published in preparation for the summer tourist season of that year. In addition, Joseph Radfirth, whose hotel advertisement appears on p.6 of the adverts, died in August 1869. His advert was submitted for inclusion and Mr. Radfirth then died.
If you have any further information please email.

An advertisement for the Bemrose Matlock Bath Circulating Library was published in Hall's "Day's in 1863