Matlock Boats and Train

Boating Lake and Miniature Train rides in Hall Leys Park, right in the centre of Matlock.

Boats

We currently run 10 motorboats around the Jubilee boating lake and first opened back on the 6th May 1935 in time for the King’s Royal Jubilee.

We operate weekends only from Spring and every day through all school holidays (weather permitting). 11.00am – 4.30pm You don’t need to book, just turn up!

If you want to be sure we are open, feel free to message our facebook page just to check. 

Our prices are £5.00 per boat with a maximum of 3 people in a boat.

Train

We also have a handsome little miniature locomotive train known as ‘Little David’ who rides up and down a 200ft track, running alongside the River Derwent.

We are now fully electric so are also environmentally friendly!

It’s just £1 for a ride on Little David.

Little David Books & Gifts

Little David features in our new first children’s story! 

 

Based on his adventures in the park with his animal friends and beautifully illustrated by local artist Claire Duberry.  It has proved very popular and a second book is on its way! 

You can buy the book here on the website, or on ebay, or at the boating shed when we are open. 

News

We will open daily for the summer season from 10.30am - 4.30pm Thursday 22nd July 2021. Weather permitting - please feel free to call or message us to check we are open on the day you are hoping to visit 😊

WE ARE BACK OPEN!

We had a lovely morning on Friday the 30th April when we met at the park with some very special people. The mayor and his wife, Hubert Swain and David Wildgoose joined us to celebrate. Hubert’s father Cyril first bought his trains to the park in 1948 and commissioned...

We Are Going Electric!

We Are Going Electric!

One of the things I love about the boats and train is that it is pretty much as it has been for many years.  Our train remains the lovely little locomotive built in 1974, still proudly named “Little David” Our boats are the same boats made new in the 60’s with...

Come and Visit Us!

We hope you can visit soon and enjoy this historic attraction. Matlock has some fabulous shops and eating places so why not make a day of it and make some memories along the way.