A photograph of part of the former Promenade Gardens in Matlock Bath, on the opposite side of the road from the old Fountain Baths (out of the shot). The image above probably dates from the 1930s although it could have been taken after the Second World War. Fountain Villas can be seen behind the large tufa stone and the buildings stretch onwards to North Parade and the former Derwent Terrace Wesleyan Methodist church.

The Promenade's original outer railings next to the road had been replaced in the winter of 1905-06, following the decision to charge admission to both the Promenade and the Lovers' Walks^[1]. For many years, however, there were no railings installed on the river's edge^[2]. Eventually the riverside, and more importantly the people walking along the Prom, were also protected.

In 1901 a Derbyshire Times journalist commented on an important feature in both these images, which is the piece of tufa in the middle of the pool. "Many visitors will have noticed what from outside appearances is huge bed of moss round the fountain on the Promenade, Matlock Bath. Certainly this commenced as moss, and has gradually grown to the huge proportions now on view, but it an astonishing fact that as the moss grows and decays if forms the tufa for which Matlock Bath is so noted and is really brought about by the action of the lime in the water. It is a curiosity worthy of examination"^[1].

Before 1903 and possibly pre-1900. The gardens had been laid out some years before. The tufa at the base of the fountain was still small, but was to grow very large in the intervening years. Notice the original roadside railings and the lamplighter climbing his ladder to light the lamppost. A fountain was shown here on the 1899 1 : 2,500 Ordnance Survey map of Matlock Bath.

For many years there were three large pieces of tufa stone on display in Matlock Bath, but today only two remain. One is in the middle of the fish pond close to the Grand Pavilion and the second is in the grounds of the former Royal Hotel, below the Temple Road car park; both of these are linked to the same water source whereas the water for this fountain came from the Fountain Baths supply. There are smaller tufa features in the Derwent Gardens.

The water feature shown here disappeared in 1967 when the A6 road, shown behind the railings in the left, was widened and the riverbank was strengthened.

About 1900	Before 1902	About 1904-05	Before 1905	Before 1904
About 1902	About 1905		About 1915		1920s
	War memorial		Band stand	Road widening

See FAQ: Tufa for a description of how tufa is formed.

References:

^[1] The railings replaced in the winter of 1905-06 were the result of the Matlock Bath Improvement Act, 1905. The Promenade was then enclosed by higher railings. See Promenade Gardens, about 1915.

^[2] It is quite possible the riverside railings were not put in place until at least the second world war. There is one postcard, not on the site, that was published in 1927 that does not show the railings.

^[3] "Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald", 16 January 1901.