FPCR were the consultants appointed to design and oversee implementation of the Matlock Parks Project. This significant commission entailed works to five interconnecting parks linking Matlock with Matlock Bath along the River Derwent Valle and combined both restoration and new works involving a number of specialist sub-contractors.
The strategic objectives of this Heritage Lottery funded project was to restore and enhance the historical landscape, conserve and improve habitats and features of ecological significance, improve accessibility, interpretation and security and enliven and diversify this important corridor for visitors and the local community.
The Matlock Parks comprise a chain of five distinctive sites stretching for more than two miles and range in age from early Georgian through to Edwardian. They are very different in their nature, each park offering a unique blend of historical, ecological, recreational and cultural features setting each apart from its neighbour. For example Hall Leys Park, located at the heart of Matlock, is extremely busy with a diverse user group and combines contemporary play with heritage features; Pic Tor and High Tor are more tranquil and offer spectacular views across the Derwent Valley, an area famous for its lead mining, many of the rakes can be seen at High Tor including Roman and Fern caves, a Scheduled Ancient Monument; Lovers’ Walks has a romantic peaceful ambience with a riverside and cliff top walk and steep connecting paths; Derwent Gardens has many natural springs, thermal water feeds the new water and petrifying feature.
