Riber Castle News

[matlocklad]

Some bad news to report from Matlock, Riber castle has been given the go ahead to be converted into 'Luxury' apartments. So if you want to see it in all it's dead man's shoes glory i suggest going to visit soon.

www.matlocktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=749&ArticleID=1395003

I live in Matlock, so if theres any particular scene/background anyone wants a picture of i can get and post no problem.

[Hyde]

Thats fuckin sad....

[Dazza]

That is sad, every lovely old place these days is being knocked down for fcking housing developments. What will be left by the times those housing b@stards change everything :-(

[saffy]

Get your facts right .. there is nowhere in that article that says it is being KNOCKED DOWN .... it's NOT being knocked down at all, it's being converted into flats ! What would you rather, still see Riber castle in the horizon - a MAJOR Matlock landmark methinks, or it to eventually rot away ?

If for one, can't wait to see the windows lit up at night ...

[Dazza]

Yeah fair nuff bout me not reading the whole thing and that its not being knocked down, but the article does say that it will be ruined forever which is still sad, the country should preserve all these lovely old buildings not fiddle about and make them into fancy flats, like everywhere else I personally think they should maintain British heritage in a good condition but turning it into flats which probably modernise the old place will not be good.

[saffy]

It WONT be ruined forever ... Yes, there will be houses behind it - but they wont be seen from the skyline - and the castle will look the same from the outside .... other than that, the place would have been left to fall into ruin.

[Wilco]

Saw the same bit of news in the Derby Evening Telegraph. Showing my age but can remember when Riber Zoo was situated there. However, agree with Saffy if the exterior is retained - better than it being left to fall to bits.
In any event its atmospheric backdrop to DMS will always remain (in my opinion) a classic of cinema imagery.

[RichK]

To get in touch with the owners to secure permission to film at Riber, I went to Derbyshire Dales Council to look at the plans for the castle. I think there's going to be 17 apartments in the main building, with a further 30(?) or so new buildings in the grounds at the back. Well, I don't know what to say - the place looks amazing as a ruin, but then again, I do find this preservation of a chocolate box non-existent golden age to be somewhat blinkered. Cue an endless debate..! The building was designed by Smedley himself, not an architect, which means that it has quite a few fundamental design flaws. I think it fell into some kind of state ownership after the war and the neglect it suffered during this period is what led to the roof caving in.. so ironically (and I'm not too sure of my facts here) it seems the council were themselves responsible for it becoming a ruin.. ultimately leading to the current stand-off. Richard (Location Manager of Dead Man's Shoes)

[ladene]

I've been going to matlock on and off for about the past 5years to visit friends, and i can remember seeing riber castle and thinking to myself ... what is that? it looks really spooky and something not quite right about the place, after finding out a bit more about the castle, that some eccentric had always wanted his own wildlife park, got the project off the ground,but fell into financial difficulty and was left empty to go to ruin, i had to go and take a closer look. Just taking the drive up to it is scary enough we went dusk time for a nosey round, we couldn't get in but just looking around through the chain link fence was enough to give me the willies!! When i saw it in 'dead mans shoes' i just couldn't believe it, absolute genius! to capture the place's atomsphere...fantastic.

[Dazza]

Hi All, where exactly is Matlock? I'm a bit of a southerner but I'm guessing its up North somewhere?

[flashpointharry]

dazzab21 said:

Hi All, where exactly is Matlock? I'm a bit of a southerner but I'm guessing its up North somewhere?

Somewhere north of Watford Gap innit?

(does a bunk before the Matlock Massive come tear-arsing down saaaff with a broken bottle of Geordie Brown)

[Dazza]

Lol its a fair way for me to go on a day trip then, do they have a train station there?

[RydCook]

It's in Derbyshire me thinks

[Wilco]

Hello all,

Everyone is spot on Riber is situated in (or rather above) Matlock, Derbyshire.

Matlock is situated on the main A6 approx 10 miles North of the City Of Derby. The area is often referred to as the Matlock's due to Matlock Bath, a former spa popular with tourists (nightmare on a Bank Holiday).

The area is a World Heritage Site and it is worth checking out [www.derwentvalleymills.org ]

There is a regular local rail service from Derby to Matlock which takes approx 15 - 20 minutes. Unfortunately haven't a clue about rail services from Wilts to Derby. But have been to Swindon a couple of times by road and even on a steady run (via the Cotswolds) been within my 8 hours.

Derbyshire is neither part of the North or South and is situated within the East Midlands. The West of the county borders Staffs (Paddy and Shane land). Burton on Trent is only a few minutes down the A38 and so close that we have taken the ale brewed there (peddy) to our hearts.

Hopefully this info assists without sounding like a Lonely Planet/Rough Guide entry.

[saffy]

My present employer owns Riber Castle. If you want to look round then give me a shout - he's mightily puzzled at our interest ! *chuckle* [e-mail]