This view of the shops of Derwent Parade, part of North Parade, shows the newly built Wesleyan Methodist Church and the lower slopes of the Heights of Abraham and probably dates from the early 1870s. In the foreground is a narrow strip of undeveloped ground between the road and the river; it was to be eventually to become the promenade and was enjoyed by visitors and locals alike until the 1960s. As already mentioned on the two previous pages, money to develop the land had been collected by public subscription in 1873 as a "prom" was said to be something many had long desired^[1]. It was to be 300 yards in length^[2]. The 1880 OS map shows a relatively short walkway running along the edge of the river bank extending from the former Wesleyan Methodist church to approximately where Valley Steps are today^[3].

It was reported that Matlock Bath had been visited by a large number of pleasure seekers in early July 1874, despite odd grumblings about its dusty roads. Although a water cart was in use each day, the hard limestone of the road surface dried quite quickly and it was difficult to keep the dust down but visitors to the Bath were not able to escape it by walking beside the river. At the time the newspapers reported optimistically that "It is hoped that the New Promenade will be opened shortly"^[4]. It was said to be "charmingly situated, and although not extensive, it has been laid out to the best advantage"^[5]. Bryan states it was open and in use in 1874^[2] but for some reason it was not open the following year^[6].

Derwent Parade was particularly attractive for businesses as it was close to the railway station and the shops, several of which had extensive frontages, would have been the first port of call for people visiting the village. The proximity to the station was often mentioned in business advertisements such as one placed by J. W. Wheatcroft in 1870^[7]. Samuel Schofield, Edward Wheatcroft's son in law, was the proprietor of the George Hotel in 1870 which he described as being just three minutes from the station. The George, a few doors to the right of the church, had a "large assembly room, suitable for firms or schools visiting Matlock" [Bath]^[8].

More information about the shops and businesses in Matlock Bath at the time can be found in the following on site transcripts:

The 1871 census for Matlock Bath.
Enumeration District 11 covers the properties from Glenorchy to the former vicarage. Unfortunately full addresses were not recorded.

Kelly's Directory, 1864 and Kelly's Directory, 1876. Also provide names, but not necessarily addresses.

Bemroses' Guide, about 1869 Advertisement for Joseph Greaves of Derwent Parade.

There are two stereo views of North Parade on the Just Images section. See Image 19 and Image 20

References (coloured links are to transcripts or more information elsewhere on this web site):

^[1] "Derbyshire Times", Saturday 12 July 1873. The land was said to be 300 yards long. However, the "Derby Mercury" of 9 July 1873 reported that it was 800 yards in length. Also see: North Parade, late 1870's (1).

^[2] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited.

^[3] Old OS maps can be found via the Links page.

^[4] "Derbyshire Courier", 4 July 1874.

^[5] "Derbyshire Times", 24 June 1874.

^[6] "ibid", 21 July 1875.

^[7] J. W. Wheatcroft advertised two commodious and substantially built dwelling houses with shops attached for rental in the "Derbyshire Times" of 18 June 1870.

^[8] "Derbyshire Times" advertisement, 7 May 1870.