Matlock Parks Project

The Matlock Parks Project (MPP) has been an ambitious £3.6m five-year Heritage Lottery Fund supported programme to restore five historic parks and pleasure grounds. Completion was achieved in 2008. These parks range in age from early Georgian through to Edwardian and have developed through the centuries as tastes, activities and the availability of funding have changed.

Surveys have shown the scenery of the Derbyshire Dales to be its principal attraction. Historically Matlock Parks have been jewels in the crown of the tourist trail, yet many areas of the parks were little known or explored by present day visitors.

In the longer term the improvements to the parks will help to enhance the economic viability of the Matlock area through increased visitor numbers and by increased length of visit.  It is hoped through the refurbishment of the fabric of the five parks, visitors will be encouraged to stay longer and spend more, helping to keep the local economy buoyant and create local employment opportunities. The MPP also complements the wider regeneration initiative for the Central Corridor, known as the Central Corridor Initiative, of which Matlock is the focus.

Throughout the undertaking of the five-year Matlock Parks project the district council issued regular newsletters known as 'Matlock Parks Matters', these can be read by using the links below. Also, further information on each of the fvie parks can be obtained by using the links in the left hand menu.