"In 1887 an iron bridge of 85 feet span was constructed, at a cost of £230, connecting the promenade with Lovers' Walk, and at the same time the Promenade was laid out at a cost of £700^[1]". It was described by Benjamin Bryan^[2] as "a light iron openwork bridge" and "supported on stone piers" and was made by the Butterley Company.

The iron bridge was placed in position on 14 June, 1887 in time for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria eight days later. It was an immensely significant event for the village as, until then, the only access to the Lovers' Walks had been by ferry^[3]. As it was being erected there was a minor drama:

"On Tuesday morning, while workmen were engaged in preparation for the erection of the new iron bridge, one of their number missed his foothold and fell into the river. The Derwent at this point is rather deep, but a boat was put off to the man's rescue, and he was lifted in and conveyed to the bank, not much worse for the immersion^[4]".

To celebrate the Jubilee itself, as the whole county was infected with celebration fever. Bryan says that beacon fires were lit on Masson at 10.00 p.m. on 22nd June, 1887 and a total of thirty-nine were visible from there on surrounding hills^[2].

If this image is compared with the Postcard of Matlock Bath, about 1890 (elsewhere on the website) you will notice that additional houses have been built in the Upperwood Road.

Below is a handcoloured version of the card.

References (coloured links are to onsite transcripts):

^[1] "Kellys Directory of Derbyshire", 1908, p.327
^[2] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish", London and Derby
^[3] There are several pictures of the ferry on site, including The Ferry and the River Derwent, 1905 and On the Lovers' Walk - and the Ferry, 1900
^[3] "The Derby Mercury", Wednesday, June 8, 1887. Accident in the Derwent.

You may like to read more onsite information:
From Lover's Walk, Jubilee Bridge has a little more about the bridge
Matlock Bath's Main Attractions