Visiting Matlock during Covid Restrictions

My Husband and I finally managed to grab a childfree night away from the kids in Matlock (we think its been almost 2 years since our last!) which is located in the South Eastern part of the Peak District

We were a bit nervous for Oscar as he’s actually never been apart from us for longer than a few hours because of covid so we weren’t sure how he would be. Turns out he wasn’t the least bit bothered at all (thankfully!)

We tied it in with me visiting locally for a boudoir photo shoot and staying over to view the images the following day

The Premier Inn in Matlock was our home for the night. My husband arrived earlier than me to check in and the staff were warm and welcoming from the second we arrived, until they waved us goodbye. The covid process they had in place included hand gel at the entrance, screens between you and the staff on the desk and mandatory mask wearing in all indoor areas.

Rose Cottage

We headed into the town for the afternoon stopping at Rose Cottage first for some drinks and lunch before realising we don’t actually know what to do with ourselves when we have no children in tow! The food was lovely, the staff were welcoming and it was lovely sitting and watching the world go by.

They only allow an hours parking on the main road in Matlock so we headed back to our hotel before taking a walk in the direction of what we hoped to be another pub (there was definitely a theme to this child free time!)

The Orangery

The views along the way were stunning, we eventually found ‘The Orangery‘ which wasn’t quite what we were expecting but more a bar and bistro (with a croquet lawn!) Within the most amazing retirement village.

Premier Inn Matlock

After walking back to the hotel to catch the football (we won 🥳) and grabbed some more drinks before getting changed for dinner. Even though we were only going back downstairs I was excited to wear one of my Shein purchases – I love it!

Katy and Alison (and another lady we didn’t catch her name) were attentive and chatty through the afternoon and evening, we had a lovely dinner, our only small complaint was the dining area was like a sauna, the sun streams through the glass frontage and we really felt for the staff wearing masks through their whole shift.

We had the best nights uninterrupted sleep (I’d expect no less from a Premier Inn!) at breakfast we had the pleasure of being served by Dawn, who was an absolute ray of sunshine, who we could have chatted with all day and Russell who was nervously new but lovely and polite.

With our room we got the short straw and had a beautiful view of the bins and service area which was redeemed by the backdrop of the hills.

Although this was our first visit it certainly won’t be our last and we can’t wait to come back soon!

ChrissyJ xxx

(Oh and check out Sour Cow they were so good they got their own post!)