[6] At one stage there were around twenty hydros, mostly on Matlock Bank, the largest built in 1853 by John Smedley.

As regards national democracy, Matlock forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Derbyshire Dales.

The height of the town (above mean level) varies from 91m at Causeway Lane (in the valley bottom) to 203m at the top of Wellington Street.

The igneous intrusions gave rise to valuable minerals which have been mined (e.g. in the Bonsall area), particularly for lead.

[13] A very rare lead halide mineral called Matlockite was first discovered at nearby Bage Mine in the early 1800s, and is named after the town.

[16] The Derwent has occasionally flooded, including during November 2019 when large areas of England were affected.

[17][18] This flood in particular claimed one life: that of Matlock's former high sheriff, Annie Hall, who was swept away by the water and subsequently drowned, aged 69.

[20][21] National Rail services run generally hourly each way between Matlock and Derby on the Derwent Valley Line, operated by East Midlands Railway.

Network Rail has considered re-opening the line, with a study carried out by the county council; although it proved to be unfeasible in the short term, the track bed will be kept free of development as the study showed that the line could be economically viable from around 2025.

Peak Rail, a preserved railway, runs steam trains on a section of the closed line between Matlock, Darley Dale and Rowsley.

The town is well served by bus routes, operated by High Peak Buses, Hulleys of Baslow and Stagecoach Yorkshire.

The A6, which links Carlisle with Luton, passes through the town; it provides access to Manchester, Stockport, Buxton, Bakewell and Derby.

Conceived by Job Smith, the tram was inspired by San Francisco's famous cable cars and cost £20,000.

A miniature railway runs half the length of the park along the river but, because of the lack of any turning space, the return journey is made in reverse.

Bank Road has many local landmark buildings along it – from the bottom of the hill (Crown Square) travelling north: NB.

[23][31] In this section, the main features of Dale Road are described, starting at Matlock Bridge and then proceeding in a southerly direction until the High Tor Hotel.

Matlock Cycling Club has helped to produce a number of national and international status riders including Tim Gould, Olympian Mountain Biker Annie Last and has a popular youth section.

Matlock's rugby team play their home matches at nearby Cromford Meadows.

They run 3 senior teams and the 1st XV compete at Level 6 in the RFU league structure.

The annual arts festival Matlock Live began takes place in June or July each year featuring local musicians, dancers, artists, etc.

Matlock Music present a series of public concerts at Highfields School (Upper Lumsdale site).

[44] White had been built especially by Derbyshire County Council to accommodate the children who couldn't attend Bailey's.

[citation needed] Local news and television channels are BBC East Midlands and ITV Central.

Television signals can be received from one of the three local relay transmitters (Matlock,[47] Stanton Moor[48] and Bolehill[49]).

[51] Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration Matlock, to an engraving of a painting by Thomas Allom, is subtitled "To the memory of a favourite child (the daughter of a friend) who died there".

[55][56][better source needed] The Youth Hostels Association (YHA) has its national headquarters in the former Severn Trent Water building on Dimple Road, Matlock.