Museum
New Exhibition – Matlock Bath Through Time
Find out how Matlock Bath changed from a lead mining hamlet, to a spa considered as fine as Harrogate or Buxton, then to a inland sea-side style resort for day trippers.
The Museum houses thousands of items, relics of the lost lead industry, which are explained and interpreted in an imaginative and thought-provoking exhibition. These include hundreds of rock and mineral specimens from around the world. Interactive exhibits and climbing tunnels, provide something for the young and the young at heart.
Our Top 3 Exhibits
The Wills Founder Water Pressure Engine
This massive pumping engine is the centre-piece of the museum. It was built in Coalbrookdale in 1819, a feat of engineering, and resourcefully used the pressure created by falling water to pump water from deep underground.
Climbing and crawling tunnels
The three mock-mine tunnels in the museum are favourites for many of our visitors, of all ages!
The Howie Mineral Collection
Professor Howie donated over 3000 mineral specimens from around the world to the museum, which had been collected throughout his lifetime. A large selection of these are on display. We do not have space to display them all!
Accessibility
The mine is accessed via a short but steep slope. The roof is low in places and there are steps and uneven floors within, which can get wet and slippy. This means that unfortunately it is not fully accessible. However, a DVD of the tour through Temple Mine is available to watch in the museum.
