Peak District Mining Museum: everything you need to know

Explore the Mining Museum

The museum is jam-packed full of information and artefacts to suit every level of interest. Some of the exhibitions have been designed with children and families in mind, with interactive displays and mining equipment that can be tried and tested.

The museum is set over two floors, with steps (and a chair lift) to reach upstairs. The focus of the ground floor is the historical mining of the local area, with sound effects, model displays and interesting artefacts to help understand the experiences of miners. Children can get as hands on as they wish. There are dark tunnels to try out, rag and chain pumps to rotate and a secret mouse hole to discover.

There is a lot of information to take in, which you’re unlikely to be able to read on one visit (no problem, your museum ticket is valid for a year!) but even just walking around the exhibition will provide an idea of what a miner’s life may have been like.

The ground floor also exhibits a wonderful display of rocks and minerals from around the world, with links to where these may have been found locally. A nice selection of rocks can be touched and stroked – perfect for inquisitive hands. There are also ‘treasure hunts’ for children. We had good fun trying to find red crystals and the sparkliest of gems!

Upstairs, there was more fun (and learning) to be had. Our three year old was much more in his element up here – dressing up in Victiorian clothing, setting up a little railway village, and enjoying rolling the dice on the travel game.  This floor provides a wonderful insight into the riveting history and charm that is Matlock Bath. As you all walk around, you will start to understand the many sides to this unusual village, from mining, mills and the railway, from the illuminations to the ‘seaside’ holiday destination. Getting to sit in a construction vehicle was a real hit with the kids, and a bit of sand play also kept them happily busy.

There is a lot to see and do in this museum! Older children will likely take in more of the historical relevance, but younger children will also find a lot to interest them and the interactive displays provide some good conversation starters!

A tour of Temple Mine

Located in the cliffs just across the road from the Mining Museum is the Temple Mine. Tickets for this are separate from the museum (or you can buy a combined ticket with the museum) and tours are run by friendly, passionate staff.

Just a stone’s throw from Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park, this impressive tour transports you back in time to the tunnels of this 1920s lead and fluorspar mine. Tour guides are really knowledgeable and do not seem to mind at all the many questions asked of them by excitable children. The grim reality of a miner’s life is shown and shared in these tunnels, but also the glistening rocks and minerals are pointed out, as well as the ‘miner’s snot’ (actually just water deposits called flowstone!). 

The mine tours last around an hour, and are for children aged five upwards, which feels appropriate given the nature of the tour.  

Helmets are provided and are much needed for the low ceilings! Wear sensible footwear (wellies always best!) as it can get pretty muddy and slippy as you walk deeper into the mine.  It’s not a long walk inside, but there is so much to see and explore 

The tour finishes with an opportunity to do some panning, to find your very own fool’s gold. This was a real hit, and it was lovely to have a little bit of ‘treasure’ to take home.

How much does it cost?

Museum entry is £8.50 for adults, £5 for children and free for those aged 3 and under. A family pass is £25 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

Museum tickets are valid for a year, so make sure you keep hold of them!

Mine tours are also £8.50 for adults, £5 for children. A family pass is also £25 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Mine tours are suitable for children aged 5 upwards

A combined museum and mine tour ticket is £16 for adults, £8 for children. A combined family pass is £44 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

A discount is available with the ‘Derbyshire Days Out’ promotion: if you have visited another participating local attraction (e.g. Crich Tramway, National Stone Centre). The discounted price is on their website in brackets. 

Do I need to book?

Booking for the mine tours is highly recommended. There are only a few tours a day (usually 11am and 1pm and 2.10pm) and numbers are limited, so it is definitely worth calling ahead to ensure you get your spot.

You do not need to book ahead to visit the museum. 

Opening times

Peak District Mining Museum & Temple Mine opening times do vary over the year, so it is best to check their website to be absolutely sure they are open.

End of March – Early November: 11am-4pm every day
Early November – End of December: 11am-4pm weekends only  
26th December-4th January: 11am-3pm every day

Where can I park?

There is no allocated parking for visitors to Peak District Mining Museum. There are pay and display car parks at both ends of the town as well as 1 hour on-street parking. Do bear in mind that on bank holiday weekends, and school holidays (especially in the sunshine), finding street parking is near impossible.

We suggest parking at the Temple Walk Long Stay car park, which is located just above the Pavillion. The parking machine accepts coins or cards, and you can also pay using an app. Click here for up to date parking charges.

How much time should I allow?

Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for your visit, depending on how absorbed you and your family are in reading and interacting with all the exhibitions.

The Temple Mine tour is around an hour long. Allow a little extra time for the panning!

Is it pram friendly?

The museum is pram friendly on the ground floor, but the mine is not. Pushchairs can be left downstairs whilst the upper floor is explored.

Are dogs allowed?

In the museum, well-behaved dogs are welcomed, if kept on a lead. 

Dogs are also allowed on the mine tours, but the tours can be busy and muddy so decide if this is suitable for your dog.

If you or your family do not want to be on a mine tour with a dog, you can mention this at the time of booking. 

Facilities

There are a couple of toilets for customers, however there are no baby changing facilities. There are other toilets located in the main part of the Pavillion. 

Cold drinks and ice creams can be bought from the museum shop.

The shop also sells a lovely selection of rocks and minerals, all quite reasonably priced. 

The Restoration Cafe is located next door to the Mining Museum. This is a lovely community café, with all profits going to restoring the Grand Pavilion to its former glory.

What to do after your visit

There are lots of things to do in Matlock!  The seaside vibe of ‘Derbyshire-on-sea’ may entice you to one of the many fish ‘n’ chip shops, but there are many food and drink options along the promenade, as well as a good selection of sweet shops and ice cream vendors.

There is a sweet playground with a pirate ship, which can be combined with a scenic potter along the river. It is a haven of calm down by the river, if you are fancying a break from the buzz on the main stretch. There are some riverside picnic tables and, in summer months, little boat trips are also available.

We also recommend combining your visit to Bonkers Illuminations Golf, which is just a short walk further along the Parade. Matlock Bath is also home to an Aquarium, Heights of Abraham and Gulliver’s Kingdom, making it a great location for a fun-filled day out.