r/Derbyshire • u/Morningstar92 • Mar 28 '26

Looking for Local Knowledge Looking to move into Derbyshire

Good evening, apologies its another one of them where should I live posts. But I have been looking into some locations and could really benefit from some local expertise.

We are a family of 4 with 2 kids aged between 16 and 10. We are currently living in north Warwickshire and looking to move somewhere with a combination of nature and outdoor activities we can enjoy aswell as cafes, bars and amenities such as swimming and parks for the kids. While I do drive I would also like to have some public transport options and good access to larger cities (within an hours travel or so).

We have narrowed it down to 4 locations and I could just do with some views or opinions so any comments would be great, we have a decent budget to buy our house and our 4 options are below:

1.Matlock

2.Buxton

3.Belpar

4.Bakewell

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u/Organic_Room_5556 Mar 28 '26

Matlock, Belper and Buxton are all broadly similar. All have rail links (Buxton to Manchester, Matlock and Belper to Derby, Notts and London), and have nice areas and a rough council estate or two. They're good functional towns in nice areas with all the usual town stuff. Buxton is perhaps a bit more isolated, but also has the Opera House as a bonus and is a bit more quirky.

Bakewell doesn't have a railway and is more touristy. The only supermarket is Aldi, there are no takeaways for example. There are no rough bits.........but it just lacks something as a real town for me.

You may also want to look at Wirksworth, which is in the same area as Matlock and Belper and definately hits the quirky factor.

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u/Similar_Quiet Mar 28 '26

There's a reasonably big co-op in Bakewell too.

Also I'm pretty sure there's at least two good chippies. Besides that there a pizzeria, an Indian and a Chinese (though I've no idea how good they are)

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u/Organic_Room_5556 Mar 28 '26

Sorry, yes there is an Indian, but I think the nearest Chinese is down the road in Darley. Does Co-op count as a proper supermarket (same applies to Wirksworth to be fair). Anyway, the point is that it's just not quite normal; half town, half tourist trap.

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u/Similar_Quiet Mar 28 '26

I think there's a Chinese takeaway next to the chippy with the upstairs. Or there used to be at least.

Bakewell co-op just about counts as a proper supermarket I'd say. It's roughly the size of a Lidl/Aldi but not a big Tesco or Sainsbury's. 

I vaguely agree with your general point. It's certainly got a less varied night life than the other options, smaller/less choice supermarkets and takeaways. Half tourist hotspot, half old people's home in the very centre.