
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In 1897, the Matlock Bath Illuminations were first held to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Supposedly, a young Princess Victoria looked out of her hotel window and saw candle lights reflected in the River Derwent which flows through the centre of the village, and so the idea for illuminated boats was born. Today, the tradition continues - with a parade of boats made and rowed each year by the local Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association.
Helen Mark meets the boat builders and discovers how industry, leisure and tourism here have been built around the River Derwent and the warm springs of Matlock Bath. These thermal springs feed the Matlock Bath Lido and have brought visitors here to experience their healing capabilities since the 17th century. Today the open air lido at the New Bath Hotel has been re-opened and is providing local people and visitors with a chance to be reinvigorated by the traditions of this place and to discover the secrets of the waters beneath.
Presented by Helen Mark and produced by Helen Lennard
By BBC Radio 44.8
8383 ratings
In 1897, the Matlock Bath Illuminations were first held to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Supposedly, a young Princess Victoria looked out of her hotel window and saw candle lights reflected in the River Derwent which flows through the centre of the village, and so the idea for illuminated boats was born. Today, the tradition continues - with a parade of boats made and rowed each year by the local Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association.
Helen Mark meets the boat builders and discovers how industry, leisure and tourism here have been built around the River Derwent and the warm springs of Matlock Bath. These thermal springs feed the Matlock Bath Lido and have brought visitors here to experience their healing capabilities since the 17th century. Today the open air lido at the New Bath Hotel has been re-opened and is providing local people and visitors with a chance to be reinvigorated by the traditions of this place and to discover the secrets of the waters beneath.
Presented by Helen Mark and produced by Helen Lennard

7,599 Listeners

1,054 Listeners

5,455 Listeners

1,798 Listeners

1,745 Listeners

1,039 Listeners

2,091 Listeners

1,975 Listeners

478 Listeners

39 Listeners

66 Listeners

281 Listeners

265 Listeners

250 Listeners

158 Listeners

105 Listeners

253 Listeners

101 Listeners

4,164 Listeners

3,186 Listeners

719 Listeners

238 Listeners

101 Listeners

26 Listeners

487 Listeners