Derbyshire Dales District Council has appointed Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd as the main contractors for phase 5 of the Matlock Parks Project at High Tor.

This is the final phase of the Matlock Parks Project: a ambitious £3.5million restoration program, undertaken by Derbyshire Dales District Council to restore five historic parks and pleasure grounds that run along the Derwent Valley and connect Matlock to Matlock Bath.

High Tor is considered one of the earliest ‘icons’ of tourism in this country. As the most dramatic and prominent natural feature in the valley, it was compared in the 18th century, to the drama of the Swiss Alps. The park comprises the steeply wooded limestone cliffs below the cliff face of High Tor; the Grand Walk - a cliff top promenade through the limestone grasslands, linking Matlock and Matlock Bath, and High Tor Recreation Grounds to the south of High Tor summit.

The summit of High Tor is cut by two mineral veins, or lead rakes, known as Fern and Roman Caves, which were designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1996, and were an official visitor attraction for over 100 years, until their recent closure due concerns about public safety. They are open rakes, protected in places by fencing, of which the deepest extends to over 20m below the surface.

Unfortunately the District Council is unable to re-open the lead rakes, due to the level of engineering work that would be required to ensure the public’s safety, and the compromising effect that this would have on their Scheduled Ancient Monument status. There are proposals to provide audio-visual interpretation of the ‘Caves’, at the Peak District Mining Museum in Matlock Bath, as an accessible alternative.

The High Tor contract will start on site this autumn for a period of 3 months. This contract will include works to both High Tor and Artist’s Corner car park; these form part of the Heritage Lottery funded approved scheme:

STRUCTURES / BUILDINGS

Construction of a new entrance into High Tor Recreation Grounds, from the public footpath to Starkholmes. The entrance will be similar in style to existing entrance from Pic Tor Lane (Currently subject of a planning application),
Restoration of the stone alcove on the summit and repairs to dry stone walls,
Demolition of disused toilet block and concrete base from previous café building at High Tor summit,
Refurbishment of existing toilet block at Artist’s Corner.

ARBORICULTURE

Thinning of the existing vegetation, including saplings, and self-set trees to enable the restoration or appreciation of the heritage features of the park:
Vegetation clearance/thinning at Artist’s corner play area to restore views of High Tor and the River Derwent,
Vegetation thinning / clearance along the lead rakes to restore views of the lead rakes,
Vegetation removal and coppicing along Grand Walk to restore the footpath to it’s original alignment,
Removal of trees to create the new entrance

FOOTPATHS

Surfacing and edging repairs to the existing paths, including new steps where necessary.

RAILINGS/FENCING

Restoration / replacement of existing estate style fencing (600m) to match existing design along the length of Grand Walk,
New timber fencing, around the lead rakes, to extend existing fencing.

FURNISHINGS & SIGNAGE

Installation of new seats, bins, interpretation boards, finger posts, picnic tables and benches,
Installation of new lighting columns at Artist’s Corner, in residents parking area