The proposed new River Ferry, which will cross the River Derwent linking Derwent Gardens and Lovers’ Walks in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire has now been fully constructed, by Mackay Boatbuilders Ltd. The design is based on features from Matlock Bath, which reflect the heritage of the area, and has been undertaken by the naval architects McCaig and Napier. The new ferry will carry up to 8 people.

The ferry will now be launched in Spring next year and will be operated throughout the summer months. Due to the high rainfall this summer, and consequent high river levels which continued well into August, it was impractical to begin operating the ferry this season.

The ferry will create a new visitor attraction in the area, offering a riverside perspective of the scenic limestone cliffs and wooded slopes of Lovers’ Walks, that is currently undergoing restoration, and the newly refurbished Derwent Gardens. The former shop and ferry shelter buildings on Lovers’ Walks have recently been restored as part of the fourth phase of the Matlock Parks Project. Old photos of the buildings show that the roofs were once upturned boats, thought to be old rowing boats, which had been used on the river. The original landing stages at Derwent Gardens and Lovers’ Walks have also been refurbished.

The work is part of the Heritage Lottery funded Matlock Parks Project being undertaken by Derbyshire Dales District Council. Funding for the River Ferry has been received from Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership have contributed grants of £141, 891 in total, to the Matlock Parks Project; £78 400 to the third phase in Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath, which has now been completed. The river ferry forms the final element of this phase.

The 5-year Matlock Parks Project is funded by a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which is enabling improvements to five parks; Hall Leys Park, Pic Tor, Derwent Gardens, Lovers’ Walk and High Tor Grounds.