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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK 'seaside town' without a beach has 20C lido, arcade and cable cars
The town may be 70 miles from the nearest seaside, but the riverside setting and classic attractions give it the feel of a British coastal town - and you can still go for a dip. Amusement arcades, fish and chip shops and quirky independents give Matlock Bath a coastal town feel ( Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images) A trip to the seaside is always a fun day out, but depending on where you live, there isn't always a coastal town close by. If you're in the Midlands, you're in luck - there is a unique town in Derbyshire that offers all the charms Brits adore about coastal visits - with one exception. Matlock Bath boasts great fish and chip shops, amusement arcades and even a picturesque waterside promenade, but it lacks a beach. Despite being 70 miles from the sea, this Midlands town, with its riverside location and classic attractions, boasts a similar vibe to seaside towns. READ MORE: {{title}} Visitors can still enjoy a swim, thanks to the warm waters of the Derbyshire spa town's historic thermal springs, which are accessible at the New Bath Hotel and Spa's restored lido. The outdoor pool, tucked near the wildcat crafts of the Derbyshire Dales, is filled with naturally mineral-rich thermal spring water flowing at a comfortable 19.8°C - a more pleasant temperature than the beaches at Blackpool or Weston-super-Mare, reports Birmingham Live. The best way to discover the 'seaside town' of Matlock Bath is by water ( Anuj Mishra) It was following the discovery of Matlock Bath's springs in the 17th century that the town became somewhat of a tourist magnet. Today, a host of attractions cater to visiting families, including Gulliver's Kingdom theme park, the 60-acre Heights of Abraham hilltop park, accessible via cable car, the Victorian aquarium, and traditional amusement arcades scattered along the promenade. Old-fashioned shops selling fudge, antiques, ice creams and gifts contribute to the seaside atmosphere. The Heights of Abraham hilltop park is home to adventure playgrounds, hidden caves and a restaurant - all reached by cable car ( Heights of Abraham) For those seeking a peaceful retreat, the opposite bank of the river Derwent is an ideal location, with High Tor's sheer cliff attracting more walkers and climbers than tourists. Giddy Edge, a winding path along the cliff edge, can also be found here. Further afield, you'll find Cromford Mills, the world's first water-powered cotton spinning mill, and the magnificent National Trust manor house of Kedleston Hall, its interior designed to reflect the grandeur of ancient Greece and Rome.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Wales Online
This uncrowded Welsh beach is the start of a woodland trail to a hidden waterfall
This uncrowded Welsh beach is the start of a woodland trail to a hidden waterfall This remote beach hugs the pristine Pembrokeshire coastline and has a wooded trail to a waterfall Aberfforest beach is predominantly shingle when the tide rolls in (Image: Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images ) Looking for a lovely beach stroll while the sun is out? Beautiful Aberfforest Beach is a peaceful, rural beach located a couple of miles up the coast from Newport. It is protected by headlands to either side, making it a good spot for a high-tide swim if you want to cool down. This remote beach hugs the pristine Pembrokeshire coastline and sits right in the heart of the national park. Rugged cliffs rise to the east, while a winding forest stream trickles in from the west, making it a seriously scenic spot. Accessible via the coast path from either Cwm Yr Eglwys or Newport, you trek along the scenic coastal route to venture directly to Aberfforest Beach, where you'll also spot the tiny hamlet of Aberfforest, with only a handful of holiday cottages, making it a relatively quiet spot in Pembrokeshire. Aberfforest also previously bagged the title of the UK's top 'hidden' beach UK's top "hidden" beach and has been called a "perfect" Welsh village with a world-class pub. There's a woodland walk through ferns and wild garlic leading to the beautiful waterfall at Aberfforest (Image: ©2019 R A Kearton/ Getty Images ) If you've never heard of it before, you're probably not alone, as it certainly doesn't receive as many headlines or social media posts as more famous Pembrokeshire beaches like Barafundle, Whitesands, Marloes, or Tenby you can see our pick of Wales' best beaches here. Article continues below A local provider of rental cottages, Aberfforest Cottages, says access to the beach is "limited to just a handful of local properties and ramblers on the coastal path which passes through the bay". If you want a longer hike, there is a 5.0-km circular trail on All Trails app that takes you to Aberfforest via Cwm Dyffryn (Image: ©2019 R A Kearton/ Getty Images ) It writes: "This means that even in the height of summer, the beach is rarely busy and offers the perfect base for days spent swimming, sailing, kayaking and rock-pooling. Now and then the bay plays host to inquisitive seals and dolphins, which breed locally. Catching sight of these amazing creatures as their heads emerge out of the sea and survey the bay is a fantastic treat." While it may look like a typical Welsh shingle and sand beach, to the rear of the beach are some sloping fields and a dreamy wooded valley where the River Fforest runs down. Here, you can take a short walk up the river valley, which leads to a secluded waterfall. In the Spring you'll be treated to carpets of wild garlic as you plod along the route. Aberfforest Cottages states the waterfall is "a fabulous place to explore, for adults, children and dogs alike," adding: "A circular route follows the picturesque track to the beach and back to the cottage through ancient woodlands taking in the waterfall on the way." The secluded waterfall at Aberfforest (Image: Getty ) If you want a longer hike, there is a 5.0-km circular trail on All Trails app that takes you to Aberfforest via Cwm Dyffryn. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. The app notes that this trail is "great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring." Starting in the lay-by along the A487, the trail heads down the woodland path beside Cwm Dyffryn, passing the waterfall on the way to Aberfforest Beach. One of the best ways to soak up seaside views is to lace up your boots and hit the coast path. (Image: R A Kearton ) The trail then continues along the coastal path, offering beautiful views out to sea, before joining the paved road and returning to the start, crossing the farmlands and following a woodland path once more. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Article continues below Need to Know: Aberfforest Beach Location: Around two miles west of Newport in Pembrokeshire, nestled between Newport and Cwm Yr Eglwys along the coast path. Around two miles west of Newport in Pembrokeshire, nestled between Newport and Cwm Yr Eglwys along the coast path. Lifeguard: Nope – there's no lifeguard cover here, so swim with care. Nope – there's no lifeguard cover here, so swim with care. Dog-Friendly? Absolutely – bring your four-legged pal along Absolutely – bring your four-legged pal along How to Get There: On foot: Follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from Newport or Cwm Yr Eglwys By car: Park in the lay-by along the A487 near Cwm Dyffryn and take the woodland trail down to the beach (via waterfall!). On foot: Follow the from Newport or Cwm Yr Eglwys By car: Park in the lay-by along the and take the woodland trail down to the beach (via waterfall!). Waterfall Walk: Don't miss the short riverside stroll to a hidden waterfall just inland – it's perfect for a quick detour. Don't miss the short riverside stroll to a hidden waterfall just inland – it's perfect for a quick detour. Circular Trail: There's a five-km easy loop via AllTrails that includes a beach, coast path, farmland, and woodland (allow around 1 hour and 20 minutes). There's a five-km easy loop via AllTrails that includes a beach, coast path, farmland, and woodland (allow around 1 hour and 20 minutes). Nearby Facilities: Newport – the best bet for shops, cafés, and pubs (try The Golden Lion or The Castle Inn). Dinas Cross – closer, with The Ship Aground pub and a chip shop for a post-walk treat.
