1849 the railway arrived in Matlock bringing with it a new trade in tourism.  The Grand Pavilion was built 1910 on the site of the former stables and blacksmith yard next to the river Derwent.  Its aim to host entertainment and events for the masses.

Within a few years of opening First World War soldiers were billeted on site. They also spent time here recuperating from injuries

After the disruption of WWII the Grand Pavilion saw a variety of events and eventually became a nightclub with misdeed and eventually closed.