Bank Road
Encyclopedia
Road
A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...
in Matlock, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
which runs from Crown Square up Matlock Bank, a steep hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
which gives the road its name, to Wellington Street. Although many consider the whole incline to be Bank Road, beyond Smedley Street, just over half-way up, the road is called Rutland Street.
Tram
In 1893 a cable tramwayCable car (railway)
A cable car or cable railway is a mass transit system using rail cars that are hauled by a continuously moving cable running at a constant speed. Individual cars stop and start by releasing and gripping this cable as required...
was built along Bank Road. Half way up there was a stop at Smedley Street where Smedley's Hydro
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
(built by John Smedley
John Smedley (industrialist)
John Smedley is the name of four generations of owners of Lea Mills, near Matlock, Derbyshire. The most famous of these was John Smedley , born Wirksworth, Derbyshire.-Lea Mills:...
) was situated. Conceived by Job Smith, the tram was inspired by San Francisco's
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
famous cable cars, and cost £20,000. When it was built it was the steepest tramway in the world at a gradient
Gradient
In vector calculus, the gradient of a scalar field is a vector field that points in the direction of the greatest rate of increase of the scalar field, and whose magnitude is the greatest rate of change....
of 1 in 5½, and it rose 300 feet. The fare
Fare
A fare is the fee paid by a passenger allowing him or her to make use of a public transport system: rail, bus, taxi, etc. In the case of air transport, the term airfare is often used.-Uses:...
was tuppence up, penny down. It closed in 1927 after losing business to cars
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and buses.
Landmarks
Bank Road has many local landmark buildings along it - from the bottom of the hill (Crown Square) travelling north:- The Crown Hotel - the original site of the hotel which gave its name to Crown Square is now a building societyBuilding societyA building society is a financial institution owned by its members as a mutual organization. Building societies offer banking and related financial services, especially mortgage lending. These institutions are found in the United Kingdom and several other countries.The term "building society"...
office. The Crown is now a Wetherspoon's pub just along Bakewell Road. - Post Office and Sorting Office
- Derbyshire Dales District Council Offices - the home of Derbyshire DalesDerbyshire DalesDerbyshire Dales is a local government district in Derbyshire, England. Much of the district is situated in the Peak District, although most of its population lies along the River Derwent....
District Council. - Our Lady & St. Joseph's Catholic Church
- Youth Hostel - a YHAYHAYHA may refer to:* YHA Australia, a youth hostel association in Australia* Youth Hostels Association , a youth hostel charity in the United Kingdom* Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand, a youth hostel association in New Zealand...
youth hostel - in 2005 it was announced that this will be closed. - Matlock Methodist & United Reformed Church
- Old Sunday School which is now a B&BBed and breakfastA bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
. - Old Methodist Church which, until recently, housed the Matlock WurlitzerWurlitzerThe Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
. - County Hall - the home of Derbyshire County Council since the 1950s, formerly Smedley's HydroSmedley's HydroSmedley's Hydro is a former hydrotherapy complex in Matlock, Derbyshire.It was built on Matlock Bank by John Smedley in 1853 when it was the largest hydro in the town. Matlock had developed as a spa town after thermal springs were discovered...
. Part of the County Hall complex is seen in Women in Love, Ken Russell'sKen RussellHenry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
Oscar winningAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
1969 filmFilmA film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
. As the Brangwen sisters walk out of their house (in reality No. 80, New Street) near the beginning of the film they are seen walking towards Bank Road. - Smedley Street which traverses Matlock Bank and has its own parade of shops and a post office.
- The Gate public housePublic houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
NB. Beyond Smedley Street Bank Road is actually Rutland Street.
- The Old Tram Depot which is now a garage and carAutomobileAn automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
repair centre. - Rockside Hydro an imposing building with views across Matlock. It is currently being converted into flats.