Chesterfield Tourist Information

Things to Do and See in Chesterfield

Chesterfield is a bustling market town centre within the Eastern Peaks historic border country. Famous for its architectural gem, the Grade I listed Crooked Spire Church, equally spectacular is the central Chesterfield Market Place and Square. Chesterfield Markets are numerous and include weekly market days on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, a flea market on Thursdays and a farmers' market every second Thursday monthly. Chesterfield is one of the best locations for markets in and around the Peaks. Shopping in Chesterfield is superb. The town boasts the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre and great shops around the Pavements Centre located within and behind historic buidings. A delightful choice of independent and quirky shops also line Chesterfield's Shambles and the 18th and 19th century Yards and South Street. Here you'll find speciality shopping at its best, including bead shops, gift shops, chic boutiques, restaurants, chocolate shops and more.

Chesterfield Museum & Art Gallery is located within the historic Stephenson Memorial Hall, originally a Mechanics Institute, dating from 1879. Exhibits inside include the 'Story of Chesterfield' which explores key themes in the town's history such as how the Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield was built and its history as a Roman Fort and Market Town. Chesterfield's 19th century industrial links with George Stephenson and James Brindley and the Chesterfield Canal, which connects with the River Trent near Gainsborough, are also given due attention in the Chesterfield Museum.

The Chesterfield Canal and the fact that beautiful Chesterfield borders Nottinghamshire and Robin Hood Country situated to the east means visitors located in Chesterfield have easy access to both the Peak District and Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve around Mansfield. Art and leisure attractions in Chesterfield are impressive. Theatres and cinemas in Chesterfield include the Cineworld Cinema at Alma Leisure Park, the Pomegranate Theatre and the Winding Wheel Concert and Exhibition venue. Tenpin bowling is at Chesterfield Bowl and around the town centre's Queen's Park you'll find a great sports centre, cafe and play area, a cricket ground, a miniature railway and a pretty boating lake. A selection of great themed Chesterfield Markets also take place through the year including the late July Chesterfield Medieval Market and the September and October Chesterfield Arts Markets.

Historic attractions in Chesterfield include the famous Revolution House on High Street. This old alehouse was the the site of a meeting in 1688 between the Earl of Devonshire from Chatsworth, the Earl of Danby and John D'Arcy. They met to plan their role in the overthrow of King James II in favour of Mary and William. Also not to be missed in Chesterfield is Britain's last working railway roundhouse at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre. Railway galas feature through the year at The Roundhouse and visitors can take a ride on the train. Visit the Barrow Hill Roundhouse website for details. Around Chesterfield within easy reach are three of the East Peaks' most spectacular historic sites, the magnificent Elizabethan Hardwick Hall, the fairytale mansion Bolsover Castle and the Italianate Renishaw Hall Gardens. Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre, Rykneld Square, Chesterfield. Tel.01246 345777/8.

The Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield

The stories and myths around The Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield, the largest church in Derbyshire, make fascinating reading. Today the 'Crooked spire' of St Mary and All Saints medieval church in Chesterfield is one of the most famous architectural features around the Peaks. The fact that its crookedness, lean or twist may have been an accident makes the sight all the more interesting. A tour up the interior of the spire's oak frame is not to be missed. Tower trips are available on most Saturdays.

Chesterfield Church's spire was added to the 14th century church tower in 1362. It reaches 228 feet (70m), dominating the Chesterfield skyline to spectacular effect. The spire consists of an oak frame clad with heavy lead tiles and tours are regularly available in the church to view the interior of the spire. The spire was constructed soon after the Black Death, during which many skilled craftsmen had been lost to the disease. It was built from untreated 'green timber', unpredictable when it dries and more so with the great weight of lead tiles encasing it. These factors are thought to have combined to produce the distinctive 'lean' of the spire. In addition there was no essential cross-bracing performed. By accident or by design, most think the spire's lean is by design, and colourful myths point to the 'devil's work' in various scenarios. However it came to be, the Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield is essential viewing and a spectacularly unusual architectural gem.

Bolsover Castle, English Heritage

Bolsover Castle is located a mere 6 miles to the east of Chesterfield, off Junction 29A (signposted) on the M1 Motorway. You can catch glimpses of this fairytale castle from the motorway. The castle has strong links with nearby Hardwick Hall and the Cavendish family of Chatsworth. The 17th century mansion of Bolsover Castle was lavishly remodelled by Bess of Hardwick's son Charles Cavendish and completed by her grandson William, the 1st Duke of Newcastle. Bolsover Castle was also designed by the architect John Smythson, the son of Robert Smythson who had designed Hardwick Hall.

Originally the site of a medieval castle built by the Peverel family, who also built Peveril Castle in Castleton, Bolsover Castle dates originally from soon after the Norman conquest. Oldest architectural features at Bolsover Castle include the spectacular castle keep. In 1612 Bolsover Castle was purchased by Sir Charles Cavendish who lavishly restored the property to serve as a retreat for 'elegant living'. Main architect on this project was John Smythson, son of the famous Robert Smythson who had designed the magnificent Elizabethan mansion of Hardwick Hall. John Smythson's design of Bolsover Castle is widely considered one of the great masterpieces in Jacobean architecture. Smythson's influences are obvious, with a fairytale effect created by his influences of medieval turrets and castle architecture.

There is much to see and do at Bolsover Castle which is a top family friendly historic attraction. The Little Castle fantasy entertainment house onsite is always a hit with children, and there are the castle battlements and beautiful Venus Gardens with love seats, statues and fountain. Family activities at Bolsover Castle feature all year round and there is much to see and do in the onsite Discovery Centre. Living history events, open air concerts and evening plays are regularly hosted at Bolsover. Picnic sites sit around the castle, from which there are panoramic views across the Vale of Scarsdale and towards the Peaks. Baby changing facilities, family learning resources and a cafe are all at Bolsover alongside ample parking and an all year round programme of events.

Renishaw Hall & Gardens

The stunning Italianate Renishaw Hall with 300 acre park featuring a classical Italianate Garden is located a mere 20 minutes drive from Chesterfield (3 miles from Junction 30 on the M1, well signposted from the junction's roundabout).

Historic home of the Sitwells for almost 400 years, Renishaw Hall Gardens is a great fun family day out with attractions onsite to please all. The Sitwells have always been closely associated with the art world, particularly through the 20th century. Many of the Sitwells were writers themselves, including most famously Edith Sitwell. Artists patronised by the Sitwells over the years include greats like Rex Whistler. Avid art collectors, the Sitwells have collected an impressive art collection over the centuries, much of which is on show here at Renishaw.

One of the most beautiful classical Italianate gardens in England is here at Renishaw Hall Gardens. The Hall is a favourite spot for The Antiques Roadshow TV series. Features within the property like the nunnery also have links to Robin Hood. Artwork highlights include the famous portrait of the Sitwell family by John Singer Sargent. From 2010 a new exhibition is to feature in the gallery at Renishaw Hall displaying the artwork collections of Sir Osbert Sitwell. The exhibition will include works by Rex Whistler, Picasso and photography by Cecil Beaton. Many of the pieces have until now been unseen.

Bess of Hardwick & Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield, National Trust

Hardwick Hall just over 9 miles to the southeast of Chesterfield is Bess of Hardwick's great Elizabethan mansion. The Hall is one of the finest surviving Elizabethan houses in England. The Cavendish family of Chatsworth fame traces its origins back to Bess who in Elizabethan England was the second most powerful woman to the Queen. Bess of Hardwick's climb to the top of Elizabethan society through moneyed marriages and great skills in business still holds much fascination for many today.

You'll see her initials ES, for Elizabeth Shrewsbury, on the balustrades of Hardwick Hall, which Bess had built with a spectacularly large number of windows, after which the rhyme goes 'Hardwick Hall, more Glass than Wall'. Her insistence on the the highest quality of craft and workmanship on the halls she built is a legacy particularly on show here at Hardwick Hall. Historic buildings and features elsewhere in the Peak District and Derbyshire with strong links to Bess include Chatsworth House near Bakewell and Derby Cathedral, home to Bess of Hardwick's tomb.

Treasures on show at Hardwick Hall include the famous Gideon Tapestries which Bess cannily purchased from Sir Christopher Hatton at a bargain price after he went bankrupt. Hardwick Hall has changed little since Bess's time. A tour of the Hall takes in the magnificent 16th and 17th century tapestries and embroideries. Around Hardwick Hall sit pretty walled gardens, a herb garden, orchards and extensive lawns. Parklands at Hardwick Hall feature walking trails, the remains of Hardwick Old Hall and the Stone Centre.