Matlock

John Smedley's huge hydro on the hill is now County Hall, and much of the town grew up around it. Hall Leys Park runs along the river in the centre. Above it all, Riber Castle looks down from the opposite hill.

A mile or so south, the valley narrows into the gorge at Matlock Bath, with the Heights of Abraham cable cars and the riverside promenade. The heritage Peak Rail line runs north from Matlock towards Rowsley.

Stone terraces and villas on the steep streets above the centre, inter-war and post-war semis, and newer estates on the edges of town. Detached homes and semis sell in roughly equal numbers.

Smedley Street and Cavendish Road, on the hillside above the centre, see the most sales. Starkholmes Road, up the other side of the valley with the views, sells for more. Be ready for hills: some of the best-value streets are also the steepest.

Matlock is just outside the National Park, so planning goes through Derbyshire Dales District Council. The station is at the end of the Derwent Valley line, with trains to Derby.

The Derwent does flood. The Environment Agency runs flood warning areas for Matlock, Matlock Bath and Darley Dale, so check the long-term flood risk for any home in the lower parts of town.