Smedley's Hydro brochure, "Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment Matlock. Established 1853", was designed for the hydro's many visitors in the inter war period. The thirty two pages of images and text provided information on the tariffs, baths and treatments at Matlock's premier hydro, together with the leisure activities available both at the hotel and in the surrounding area and possible excursions the visitors could undertake during their stay. The establishment of the inter war era was very different from the hydro founded by John Smedley. Whilst it is believed this publication was first produced about 1925, if anyone can provide a more accurate date the web mistress would be extremely grateful (see footer to contact). Unfortunately the "Foreword" (page 3, below) is not wholly accurate as John Smedley did not found hydropathy in the United Kingdom; his total acceptance of and enthusiasm for the idea of hydropathy and the treatments, plus his selfless devotion to helping others, stemmed from his own successful cure at the Wharfdale Hydropathic Establishment and Ben Rhydding Hotel at Ilkley, Yorkshire in the late 1840s[1]. Nor was Smedley the first practitioner in Matlock or the surrounding district[2]. He was, though, perhaps the most successful of all of them. There is a slightly later version of this brochure in the same style; it contains only a handful of different images. The 1939 booklet, however, looks very different, even though some photos are repeated.

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p.2 : View of Hydro and Grounds

p.3 : Foreword

p.4 : Dining Room

p.5 : Tariff

p.6 : Empire Room

p.7 : Table d'Hôte Meals and other services

p.8 : Drawing Room

p.9 : History of Establishment with Image of Bowling Green and Lower Walk

p.10 : Lounge Corridor

p.11 : History of Establishment Continued, plus Image of Putting and quote from "Bemroses' Guide"^[3].

p.12 : Winter Gardens

p.13 : Amusements

p.14 : Amusements Continued - Tennis Courts and Bowling Green

p.15 : Amusements Continued - Billiard Room and Bowling Green

pp.16-17 [double page] : View of the Private Grounds, Terraces and South Front

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p.18 : Smedley's as a Health Resort by the late W. B. Hunter, M.D. with photo of Corner of the Smoke Room

p.19 : Smedley's as a Health Resort, Continued, showing Reading Room and Drawing Room

p.20 : Smedley's as a Health Resort, Continued, Images of Hard Tennis Court plus View on Farm

p.21 : Medical Department - Physicians : G.C.R. Harbinson M.D. B.Ch. B.A.O. (RUI) and R. MacLelland M.D. C.M. (Edin), Resident.
Shows the Vichy Douche

p.22 : Ladies' and Gentlemen's Turkish Baths

p.23 : Bath Arrangements

p.24 : Bath Arrangements, continued - Images

p.25 : Bath Arrangements, continued

p.26 : The Baths &c

p.27 : The Baths &c., continued. Shows Interior of Plombières Bath

p.28 : Images of Radio Heat Bath and Diathermy and High Power Parabolic Reflector

p.29 : The Baths &c. Continued

p.30 : Ultra Violet Ray and High Frequency Treatments

p.31 : Sale Room and The Neighbourhood

p.32 : Matlock and District Map