In 1909/10 a young Australian man was in England for about 18 months, attending the Royal College of Music in London. During that time he clearly did some sightseeing, as he collected many postcards from various parts of the UK. He also sent cards home to his relatives, including this picture of Matlock Bath. Despite this particular postcard showing traces of postmark ink transferred from other letters with which it was posted*, it is nevertheless a beautifully clear image of Edwardian Matlock Bath.

The shop behind the tree on the right sold Derbyshire Spa and Marble Ornaments. Next to it is the Petrifying Well, for many years run by the Smith family. On the left the row of shops running from the building with the railings to the one with the large oval sign (Hodgkinson's Hotel) was part of Matlock Bath's once famous Great Hotel.

[*What appears to be a circle of writing on the large wedge shaped building and roughly level with the Hodgkinson's sign is, in fact, postmark ink]