Smedley's Hydro
Encyclopedia
Smedley'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. "John Smedley was not the first to recognise and exploit the effects of water treatment on various illnesses".
While on honeymoon in Switzerland John Smedley had become seriously ill and returned to England to recuperate at the hydropathic establishment at Ben Rhydding
, in Yorkshire, and later to take the waters at Cheltenham
. From now on, hydropathy was the greatest interest in Smedley's life.
Smedley's Hydro closed in the 1950s, and the building was purchased in 1955 by Derbyshire County Council to use as its headquarters. Part of the County Hall complex is seen in Ken Russell
's Oscar-winning 1969 film, Women in Love.
Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)
Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
complex 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...
.
It was built on Matlock Bank 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:...
in 1853 when it was the largest hydro in the town. Matlock had developed as a spa town
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
after thermal springs were discovered. "John Smedley was not the first to recognise and exploit the effects of water treatment on various illnesses".
but it was Smedley whose conviction and enterprise established Hydrotherapy firmly in Matlock, and for a century made it one of the most celebrated centres of the "water cure". By the outbreak of war in 1939, Smedley's Hydro was world famous, its guests having included Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
, Sir Thomas BeechamThomas BeechamSir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras...
, Ivor NovelloIvor NovelloDavid Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
, Jimmy WildeJimmy WildeJimmy Wilde , was a Welsh world boxing champion. He was the first official world flyweight champion and was rated by American boxing writer Nat Fleischer, as well as many other professionals and fans including former boxer, trainer, manager and promoter, Charley 'Broadway' Rose, as "the greatest...
, and Gilbert JessopGilbert JessopGilbert Laird Jessop was an English cricket player, often reckoned to have been the fastest run-scorer cricket has ever known, he was Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1898.Relations...
, to name but a few.
While on honeymoon in Switzerland John Smedley had become seriously ill and returned to England to recuperate at the hydropathic establishment at Ben Rhydding
Ben Rhydding
Ben Rhydding is a Wharfedale village in the Metropolitan Borough of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It is part of the Ilkley urban area and civil parish....
, in Yorkshire, and later to take the waters at Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
. From now on, hydropathy was the greatest interest in Smedley's life.
Smedley's Hydro closed in the 1950s, and the building was purchased in 1955 by Derbyshire County Council to use as its headquarters. Part of the County Hall complex is seen in Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry 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...
's Oscar-winning 1969 film, Women in Love.
Further reading
Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)
Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org)