Pictures of Riber Castle

a Castle in the town of Matlock, in the county of Derbyshire

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About Riber Castle

The Matlocks between them form some of the most outstanding countryside in the Peak District. Here you can find Riber Castle which is perhaps the most famous landmark in Matlock.

This, despite its battlements and turrets is not a real castle but was built as a lavish residence for John Smedley in the 19th-century. He was a local textile merchant, and the man credited with creating Matlock as a Spa.

The castle has had a chequered history, it was used as a school between 1930 and 1950, after-which it was left to fall into disrepair. However, in 1962 the building and lands were acquired by a group of zoologists who opened up a zoo of British and European animals. It became a favourite Nature Reserve attracting countless visitors, but sadly it closed in the year 2000.

None-the-less, the castle in its lofty perch of 800ft is well worth a visit, if only for the unforgettable views over dazzling limestone countryside
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Riber Castle.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Riber Castle and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Riber Castle

Gullivers Kingdom	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)	Pictures
The Heights of Abraham	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Middleton Top Engine House	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
National Tramway Museum	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Darwin Forest Country Park	(4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction N)	Pictures
Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Stanton Moor	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Robin Hood's Stride	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Carsington Water	(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Haddon Hall	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
The Midland Railway Centre	(7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Riber Castle

Matlock Bath, in the county of Derbyshire (1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
Matlock Bath lies amongst some of the most beautiful river-valley country in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Crich, in the county of Derbyshire (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SE)
A village on the edge of the Peak District National Park with a Museum dedicated solely to the golden era of the Tramcar. Also famous as being the location for filming Peak Practice.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winster, in the county of Derbyshire (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction W)
Today, this graceful village with its sweeping main street and quiet little alleyways is a tourist destination of character and charm.
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Heage, in the county of Derbyshire (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SE)
The village lies a short distance from the beauty spot Carsington Water, between the market town's of Ripley and Belper.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ripley, in the county of Derbyshire (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Edensor, in the county of Derbyshire (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NW)
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Bakewell, in the county of Derbyshire (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NW)
Bakewell is the largest town in the Peak District National Park. It is an old town full of glowing stone houses and buildings that lend an air of ambience and overall warmth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chesterfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Derbyshire (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction NE)
Chesterfield is an attractive town close to the dramatic peaks of the Peak District National Park. It is well known for its...
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Baslow, in the county of Derbyshire (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction N)
Set amidst the stark loneliness of the High Peak the village of Baslow is surrounded by some of the finest historic properties to be found in Derbyshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Matlock Bath Station	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Cromford Station	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
M1 Junction 28	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction E)
M1 Junction 29	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NE)
Sheffield City Airport	(19.6 miles, 31.6 km, direction N)
East Midlands Airport	(22.3 miles, 35.9 km, direction SE)
Riber Castle to London	(126.9 miles, 204.3 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Riber Castle

Hotel Name
The Cromwell Hotel	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
New Bath Hotel	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction SW)
Whitworth Park Hotel	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NW)
East Lodge Country House Hotel	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction NW)
Batemans Mill	(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)
Dannah Farm Country House	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction S)
Mardon House	(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)
The Lion Hotel	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction S)
The Cavendish Hotel	(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)
Abbeydale Hotel	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts