The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath is a wondrous building architected by John Nuttal that officially opened in July 1910. It was orchestrated and built as a social and leisure centre for both locals and tourists travelling up and down the country to the spa town on excursions. It also featured a Pump House which was operated next to the river. Then known as a Kursaal, the new Grand Pavilion outclassed its nearby predecessor The Royal Pavilion or 'Palais', hosting social gatherings, local events and many dances in its Ballroom where romance blossomed between people.

 

This would all soon come to a halt in 1914 when World War 1 started and Britain's involvement in the Great War was declared. The Grand Pavilion was repurposed to facilitate soldiers staying in the area, social rooms were transformed into military offices, the Ballroom became a small film cinema for the locals to break away from the horrors of the War, and part of the building was converted into a glove-making factory.

 

Post-war at the turn of the 1920s, films were still being shown at The Pav, but the local council was struggling with the building's financial problems after years of declining revenue. The glove factory that began trading at The Pav moved premises and left, and with businesses and trading falling in Matlock Bath, the future of The Grand Pavilion was looking bleak. However, the local council were still determined that the venue was still needed for the community, so they thought up of ideas to draw back interest.

 

In the 1930s a 'Great Exhibition' was held here with thousands of people who attended, successfully proving that the building still had potential and was still popular with residents and tourists. The venue was later advertised as having hireable spaces for events and social gatherings. In 1936, Matlock Cinemas leased the building from the local council and became a huge success, with the tenancy running for three years. But sadly once again this success came to a halt, as in September 1939, World War 2 was declared. There was an imminent warning of air raid bombings over England, and the call to have an air raid siren installed in the building was made.

 

During the Second World War, the building once again served to support the nation's forces through events, fundraising concerts and patriotic films being shown. Rooms were also provided to serving officers to feed their men. After WW2 had ended, the venue declined again but carried on being a great entertainment and events venue in the following years after. In the 1950s and 1960s, music festivals, rock bands, orchestral performances and boxing events thrived at The Grand Pavilion, but sadly the venue was still running at a loss.

 

In the early 1970s, local entrepreneur Phil Grey signed a 20-year lease of the building which was in a poor condition at the time. He helped to bring in more acts and artists to perform there. In 1979, the Peak District Mining Museum officially opened in the ground floor rooms of the venue. The 1980s saw the rise in new entertainment such as disco nights and wrestling shows, which proved to be extremely popular at The Pav, and eventually in the late 80s The PAV Nightclub was born. Despite operations going well, the state of the building had been deteriorating for decades, and substantial investment was needed to secure its future and safety.

 

The PAV Nightclub continued to run into the 1990s and early 2000s, but was quickly gaining a bad reputation because of the building's unkept condition. The nightclub was renamed to Brodies in an attempt to deviate away from the previous notorious name. In 2010 the building and nightclub closed, and with maintenance and sustainability costs spiralling out of control, the local council looked to dispose of the building. The community gathered together to protest this thought, and in 2012 the charitable trust 'The Grand Pavilion Ltd' purchased the venue from the council for just £1.

 

During the 2020 lockdowns during COVID, numerous renovations were carried out while the building was closed. The plastered walls in the Ballroom were stripped away, revealing the historic bricked walls dating back over 110 years. Today The Grand Pavilion continues to serve the community as an entertainment and events venue, including spine-chilling paranormal investigations to help raise funds to preserve this prestigious gem of Matlock Bath.

There are several active spirits who haunt The Grand Pavilion, leaving an uncanny atmosphere as you step into each room, corridor and stairwell.

 

The Pav's most notable ghost is that of the White Lady. The White Lady has been described as 5 foot in height and dressed in late-Edwardian clothing. She's appeared in photographs taken by past investigators in the Ballroom, but her apparition has also been spotted looking out of the windows over the River Derwent. Who is this woman and why does she still roam here? Could it be the spirit of Annie Holmes, a lady who drowned in the river but whose body was never found?

 

It's also in the Ballroom and Stage area that astral faces light up the room and disappear in a blink of an eye, reeling a recording in time from happy memories of this wonderful building.

 

Children spirits are commonly reported playing in the eerie rooms on the first floor, with their voices echoing throughout the hallways and stairwells. It's documented that a number of children drowned in the River Derwent during the Victorian period, so it could be these tragic deaths that keep their souls wandering on. Phantom cries and laughs of children are often heard, sending cold shivers running down your spine.

 

The ghost of a former caretaker is reported to haunt the Stage area, creating loud bangs and heavy footsteps, making the air temperature icy cold and pushing people out of the way. He's been described as a tall shadow figure, but no one knows his name. Could it be Edward Slater the first caretaker of The Grand Pavilion?

 

Two workmen fell to their deaths in the Dome area during the building's construction; could they be the ones causing the poltergeist activity?

 

Terrifying poltergeist activity has been experienced throughout the location, with objects being thrown, doors being slammed shut and horrifying shouting heard. Two workmen fell to their deaths in the Dome area during the building's construction, could they be the ones causing the poltergeist activity?

 

In Matlock Bath, lead mining was a popular industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Stories surrounding deaths in these lead mines have led to speculation that some of the spirits that stray in and around The Pav, might be connected to these awful events.

DATE: Saturday 22nd March 2025

 

TIMES: 8:00pm - 2:00am (arrive 15 minutes early. Please wait patiently outside the Restoration Cafe entrance until a member of our team greets you at the door for registration)

 

LOCATION: The Grand Pavilion, South Parade, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3NR

 

PARKING AT EVENT: On-site Car Park at side of the building and Car Park at nearby Heights of Abraham. Parking costs just £1 after 6pm.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately. No refunds given.