Crown Square

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Crown Square is the name of a roundabout in the middle of Matlock, Derbyshire and, until 2005, when a mini roundabout was added at the junction of Causeway Lane and Steep Turnpike, it was the only roundabout in the town.

Crown Square takes its name from the Crown Hotel which used to occupy a prominent position at the foot of Bank Road, a steep hill which rises from Crown Square up Matlock Bank to Wellington Street.

Between 1893 and 1927 Crown Square was home to a shelter for the Matlock Cable Tramway, a cable tramway which ran along Bank Road, from Crown Square to Wellington Street. Conceived by Job Smith, the tram was inspired by San Francisco's famous cable cars, and cost £20,000. When it was built it was the steepest tramway in the world at a gradient of 1 in 5½, and it rose 300 feet. It ceased operation after losing business to cars and buses. The shelter was moved and is now housed in nearby Hall Leys Park close to the war memorial.

In 2004 and 2005 the Tour of Britain passed through Crown Square as part of the East Midlands stage of the cycle race.

In the centre of the Crown Square roundabout is a statue of a crown, which features on the crest of Matlock Town Council. However, most years, it is removed "for safe keeping" during the Christmas and New Year party season since it was "borrowed" a few years ago by partygoers.