This very attractive Edwardian postcard, of three young girls playing with their hoops beside the River Derwent, has been published in several books^[1]. It isn't just a pretty picture of three children. By the time the photograph was taken the Jubilee Bridge had been in use for some years but before it opened this was the main crossing point on the river, either by ferry or rowing boat. On the opposite bank are boats moored at the landing stage, ready for hire. The footpath, part of Lovers' Walks, goes all the way along to Willersley Castle and the castle grounds were the only other means of accessing the walks for much of the nineteenth century.

A little behind the girls, just past a large tree on the left, we can just about see the glass window of the ladies' loos. The buildings of the Switchback Railway in the Derwent Gardens are shown, with "Switchback" in large letters on the side of the building close to the river. This was the shelter at the northern end of the attraction, raised up on a wooden framework, and where the rides began. Next to it is the entrance from Derby Road.

Writers have always described Lovers' Walks in glowing terms. In 1811 Davies^[2] wrote "The other path, which is called the Lovers' Walk, has been carried along the margin of the river and has been cut through the wood, and is beautifully arched by the intermingled branches of the trees which inclose it." Equally effusive was the 20th century Ward Lock Guide.^[3] "The Lover's Walks, a labyrinth of tree-shaded paths ... holiday-makers, especially the more romantic, have always highly esteemed these walks". The Guide goes on to discuss "the sheltered Derwent Gardens, beautifully laid out with tree-shaded walks by the river's bank. Minor delights here are a cafe and a switchback railway." It may have been considered a minor delight, but you couldn't miss such a large structure! Not everyone approved.

The enlargement, showing the Switchback's main building and the boat house on the water's edge, provides a good view of the northern end of the Victorian structure. The entrance was accessed by steps down from the main road.

References (coloured hyperlinks are to transcripts elsewhere on this website):

^[1] There's a black and white version of this picture in: Bunting, Julie (2002) "Matlock and Matlock Bath", Tempus Publishing Ltd., Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2QG ISBN 0-7524-2455-6

^[2] Davies "History of Derbyshire" - full details are elsewhere on this site

^[3] Ward Lock & Co's "Matlock, Dovedale, Bakewell and South Derbyshire", Illustrated Guide Books of England and Wales (1932-3)

There is more on site information:
Another old postcard showing the Switchbank Railway and some details below it about the Old Pavilion.
The Switchback railway is also mentioned on the "Switzerland of England" page.