atlock Matlock Bath Parks Get back to Nature Illuminations The five parks along this section of the River Derwent are This historic annual event, which takes places on Saturday and Sunday Ancient Woodlands evenings during September and October, features a unique parade of owned and managed by Derbyshire Dales District Council The age, structure and composition of these woods strongly illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent. First held to and have been carefully restored to provide a continuous suggest that they are a remnant of the ancient woodland celebrate Queen Victoria ’s Diamond Jubilee, this magical event includes cover of the limestone dales. scenic riverside and cliff path walk all the way from spectacular clifftop firework displays on certain Saturday evenings (contact Matlock Tourist Information Centre on 01629 583388 for Matlock to Matlock Bath. The formal parks and riverside Matlock Woods are one of the best examples of ash-elm woodland in the country. Ash is the dominant tree in the woods, dates). Viewing of the parade of illuminated boats is from Derwent walks at both ends of the 2.4 mile linked route are well and although many elms were killed off in the 1970s by Dutch Gardens at Matlock Bath. A park and ride service operates from Matlock (County Hall) and Cromford Meadows on firework nights. paved, lit, and friendly to pushchairs and wheelchairs. Elm disease ,the Matlock Woods’ elms are making a come back. These woods are particularly important for having Matlock Bath Illuminations are organised and funded You can “dip in” to the 5 parks at various points along the walks a large population of the two native lime trees, small-leaved by Derbyshire Dales District Council, supported (see guide map overleaf). Frequent buses and regular train lime (Tilia cordata) and large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos). by local businesses. services run between Matlock and Matlock Bath, and car parks Lime occurs largely on the steepest slopes and cliffs, which Rocks & Rakes are available at specific points along the main A6 trunk road. protected them from being felled. The distinguishing feature If you stand facing the oncoming water of the River Derwent of lime trees is the mass of scented white flowers that you are looking roughly north. Enjoy the bustling pleasures of the formal parks, take in appear in June. The hills sloping down on the left are limestone, built up over a concert or an event, and make sure you don’t miss the On the ground bramble (Rubus fruticosa), dogs mercury millennia by the bodies and shells of millions of sea creatures. The unique local attractions. Stride out across the cliff-top (Mercurialis perennis) and harts’ tongue fern (Phyllitis lower slopes to the right, east of the river, have a gritstone bedrock. paths to experience the dramatic views and the peace scolopendrium) are widespread. Rare species also appear Gritstone can be shaped into regular blocks and ‘weathers’ to a dark of the ancient woodlands. such as stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), Solomon’s seal brown or black, but if split open its natural colour can range from (Polygonatum multiflorum) and wood fescue (Festuca altissima). yellow to red and pink. Between the limestone and the gritstone, a There is something here for everyone - whatever your thin layer of shale or mudstone has been deposited. Easily eroded, age or capability. the course of the River Derwent now clearly marks this boundary. Grassland & Flowers Important to the structure of this valley are old lava beds known This £3.5 million restoration was undertaken by Derbyshire Dales High Tor represents the best example of natural grassland to District Council with support from a number of local as basalt, a coarse rock with many holes like a fossilised sponge. Tourist Information be found within the parks. Calcarious grasslands form on the It was the layer of basalt that diverted the Derwent round the cliffs organisations, and substantial help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. thin soils of the cliff tops. Here the limestone bedrock keeps the of Pic Tor, High Tor and Lovers’ Walks. For comprehensive information on accommodation in the area, pH of the soil higher, essential for crested hair grass and more walks, events and public transport as well as a great range of maps showy flowers such as field garlic, wild thyme and rock rose. The higher ground to the east of the Derwent is limestone, built up of many layers, or strata, like the layers of an onion. But the dramatic and gifts, visit one of the Tourist Information Centres below: The top meadow on High Tor has deeper soil with a neutral pH dome forming the peak of High Tor has no layers; it is an ancient that allows more plant diversity. A walk in June will leave your Matlock Tourist Matlock Bath Tourist fossilised algae reef. Many fossils can be found in the local rocks, Information Centre Information Point shoes dusted with pollen from nearly forty species. These most common are segmented tubes called ‘crinoids’. An exposed (opposite Hall Leys Park ) (next to Derwent Gardens ) This information is available free of charge grasslands are mown each year. If the grass and flowers were fossil bed on the south slope of High Tor contains fist-sized domes not cut they would rot down allowing rank grasses, nettles Crown Square Peak District Mining Museum in electronic, audio, Braille and large print spring sandwort of an extinct clam called Gigantoproductus. and bramble to take over and, after many years, there would Matlock The Pavilion, Matlock Bath Huge fissures or ‘rakes’ can be versions, and in other languages on request. be fresh woodland. This is known as ‘succession’. DE4 3AT DE4 3NR For assistance in understanding or reading found in the limestone containing A second rare habitat is the ‘metalliferous’ plant community. many minerals, but the most Tel: 01629 583388 Tel: 01629 583834 this document, please call 01629 761252. The Matlock parks are riddled with lead veins known as ‘rakes’. significant of these is lead. These Email: [email protected] Lead mining can result in localised soil contamination and very rakes can be tens of meters Designed by Paul McLean Graphic Design www.paulmcleangraphicdesign.co.uk few plants can grow in these conditions. Produced by Smyth Creative [email protected] wide, hundreds of meters deep Those that do are rare but often the prettiest, The annual Peak District & Derbyshire visitor guide Edited by Gill Chapman, Tourism Officer, Derbyshire Dales District Council and many miles long. An ingot such as spring sandwort (Minuartia verna), includes a wide range of places to stay – hotels, B&Bs, Photography by Ashley Franklin, Andrew Eyley, Robin Smyth and courtesy of or ‘pig’ of Roman lead was Derbyshire Dales District Council and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire alpine penny cress (Thlaspi caerulescens), found in Cromford churchyard self catering cottages and campsites. Pick up Printed by Dunston Printers Limited May 2010 and several orchids. and lead mining continued to a copy from one of the centres above or on Published by Derbyshire Dales District Council Town Hall MATLOCK Derbyshire DE4 3NN be a major employer in this www.visitpeakdistrict.com. The website Tel: 01629 761252 Email: [email protected] www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk area until the early 1900’s. also enables you to check up-to-date Whilst every effort has been taken compiling this publication and the statements it contains, the Council cannot accept responsibility for the products or services advertised. availability and book accommodation online. bee orchid alpine penny cress High Tor Explore the Derwent Valley... The Derwent Valley Heritage Way Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site atlock This 55-mile scenic route explores the Stretching 15 miles from Matlock Bath beauty and heritage of the River Derwent, to Derby the UNESCO designated Derwent passing through the five parks at Matlock and Valley Mills World Heritage Site comprises a Matlock Bath on its route from Ladybower series of mills built in the late 18th century, Reservoir in the north to its confluence with with their associated communities, all the River Trent in the south. in a superb natural setting which offers Parks fascinating canal and riverside walks. Along the way it passes through the superb scenery of the Peak District National Park, Harnessing the power of the River Derwent Discover the five parks between Chatsworth and the UNESCO Derwent to drive them, the mills date from the start Matlock and Matlock Bath... Valley Mills World Heritage Site. After Derby of the Industrial Revolution and include the the Way continues to the historic inland world’s first successful water-powered port of Shardlow before its journey’s end. cotton spinning mill built by factory pioneer Sir Richard Arkwright at Cromford. Stanage Edge, above Hathersage It can be enjoyed either as a continuous long- distance walk or as a series of shorter walks. To see historic working machinery don’t The route is waymarked with small yellow miss Masson Mills, on the A6 between and purple discs and is described in a Jarrold Matlock Bath and Cromford, where there guidebook (ISBN 0-7117-2958-1) available Masson Mills is also a shopping village and restaurant. from Matlock Tourist Information Centre. The guidebook contains extracts from 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 1, 24,259 and 260. Walking the whole route over a few days offers a fascinating insight into the river, its many landscapes and heritage. Chatsworth Inside Masson Mills Cromford Canal Family Fun... Don’t Miss... The Peak District Mining Museum and Temple Mine Don’t miss a year round programme of events in the parks Experience the forgotten world of a Derbyshire leadminer at this (ask at a Tourist Information Centre for details), including: fascinating museum housed in the Pavilion at Matlock Bath.