The Old Lockup

I’d been looking for somewhere for a short break with our dog and there were dozens of dog-friendly B&Bs to choose from - all perfectly adequate, but all a bit samey, sterile and bland… Then I found The Old Lockup - what a find! It’s a quirky old building (the old town police station) and Tim is an amazing host and so helpful - great communication when I messaged him a few weeks beforehand to see if we could extend our stay. Fabulous room, full of character with original bare stone wall (we stayed in The Magistrate’s Room). Everything we needed was provided, including fresh milk in the mini fridge for a cuppa. The room had a small, simple en suite, spotlessly clean, and a fabulous bed with beautiful crisp cotton bedlinen, and vintage furniture that gave the feeling of having stepped back in time. Great start to the day too with an incredible breakfast, good as you’ll find in any hotel. There’s a small free car park opposite the building - we got a space every day except one, and even then we found free parking a little further up the road. We left the car behind and used the bus on a couple of days, very easy with bus stops nearby. Wirksworth is a quiet little town, just outside Matlock, with some great pubs and just as much character as the better known places. Such a beautiful part of the world, we ran out of time and have decided we’re coming back - and we’ll definitely be booking The Old Lockup again. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Everything was fantastic, and the location, close to the local buses, made travelling around easy and kept noise to a minimum. The room was clean and comfortable with great amenities, making it a good value for money. The host has done a great job of creating an atmosphere in the building's old, former life. The food is amazing too; if the host is not too busy and can provide dinner, his surprise menu is fantastic. The host's plan to build a courtyard entertainment and bar in the future will make it even better.

My partner and I have just returned home after a fabulous weekend at the Old Lock Up. Tim the owner was lovely. His breakfast amazing and freshly cooked. It does need to be pre-ordered the night before, but we didn't have any problem with this. We wish we could have stayed longer, just for the breakfast! Just a couple of points if you are thinking of staying here. The stairs are quite steep, so if you have any mobility problems, be pre-warned. The on-road parking has restrictions. No parking Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00, but there is a small free car park across the road, but it is used by locals and can be full a lot of the time. In the photos on TripAdvisor, it looks like there is a cosy lounge. These are old photos and this is not the case. It is Tim's private accommodation, so don't expect a fire and comfy sofas. The only "communal" area is a small sofa in the reception. Although in the hotel information booklet, it says that the bar is open until 01:00, we never saw it open. We stayed in the "Magistrate's Room". It was a fantastic size, with a lovely comfy bed with excellent linen. There was a small fridge, which held a small bottle of fresh milk and a bottle of water. However, the "bathroom" was a very small with only a toilet, basin and shower cubicle. Anyone little "kilo challenged" would find it difficult to squeeze into the shower. There is a bathroom downstairs near the breakfast room. I don't know if it is available to guests, as it was behind a door marked "private" out of breakfast times. In the evenings, Tim was anywhere to be seen. However, I am sure that if we had called him, he would have come out of his private area to help us with anything. It would have been nicer for a more visual presence of him. Overall, it was a lovely stay. Only because of my partner's mobility issues, we would have to think about staying again. If you like walking and beautiful scenery, The Old Lock Up in Wirskworth is a fabulous place to stay and explore the Derbyshire Dales.