Riber Castle is one of the Peak’s famous follies having been built by a local industrialist to reside in at one time. It stands high above Matlock and is a 19th century grade 2 listed country house situated in the hamlet of Riber. It is 853 feet above sea level, high above the Derwent Valley, and it comprises of 90 feet high towers and over 145 feet of battlement walls. The drive up to it is not for the faint hearted! Its black silhouette on the hill can be seen for miles around and until recently, it sadly fell into disrepair.

Riber was constructed in 1862-1868 by a man famed for the good care he took of his workers, John Smedley. He was a Victorian mill owner and philanthropist. This was the second impressive structure developed by this local entrepreneur, responsible for building the impressive Hydro on Matlock Bank, four stories high, 200 feet long and 50 feet wide. It has beautiful gardens stretching down the hillside and offered a world-famous water cure all until it closed in the 1950s. Today the building is the headquarters of Derbyshire County Council.

Damian

February 7, 2021

Riber Castle is a 19th-century Grade II listed country house in the hamlet of Riber on a hill overlooking Matlock, Derbyshire. Known locally as "Smedley's Folly" because of the difficulty of getting water to the hill summit, it was built by the industrialist John Smedley in 1862 as his private home.

Walk The Walk 🌳

September 4, 2024

Work is currently underway to build luxury apartments in the castle grounds and further homes through the conversion of outbuildings and the gatehouse.

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Elevation 200 m

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Take Me There

Location: Matlock Town, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, East Midlands, England, United Kingdom

View of Riber Castle

1. Riber Castle, Cromford & Matlock Bath loop from Matlock

2. High Tor and Giddy Edge – Cromford Canal and Pump House loop from Matlock

3. Cromford Wharf – View of Matlock loop from Lea Bridge

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