Location: Chesterfield
Top Things to do in Chesterfield
7 Historic Sites in Chesterfield That You Shouldn't Miss
Chesterfield is a market town and borough in Derbyshire, England. It lies 24 miles (39 km) north of Derby and 11 miles (18 km) south of Sheffield at the confluence of the rivers Rother and Hipper. Including Whittington, Brimington and Staveley it had a population of about 103,800 in 2011, making it the second largest town in the ceremonial county after Derby. Archaeologists trace it back to a Roman fort built in the 1st century AD, but soon abandoned. Later an Anglo-Saxon village developed. The name derives from the Old English ceaster (a Roman fort) and feld (grazing land). It has a street market of some 250 stalls three days a week. The town sits on a coalfield, which was economically important until the 1980s. Little visual evidence of mining remains. The best-known landmark is the Church of St Mary and All Saints with its crooked spire, originally built in the 14th century.
Restaurants in Chesterfield
1. Spital Cemetery
2. The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
Reviewed By D768TCjohnb
From J Boy of Derby The largest church in Derbyshire and also one of the most impressive. It's more like a cathedral than an ordinary parish church. Magnificent stained glass windows each with there own story, many tombs and memorial plaques are on display. This time of the year is the annual Christmas tree festival, a most impressive display with over a hundred trees from various organisations across the town and surrounding area. It's an impressive display trees lit up against the background of this beautiful church, with a pianist to add to the atmosphere. At certain times of the year in the afternoon it's possible to climb with a guide to the top if the tower and see for first hand the famous spire that makes the town so famous. Well worth the climb, an interesting commentary is given by the guide.
3. Hardwick Old Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
This place is temporarily closed.
Reviewed By vickeyanne55 - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
We live close by, and as National Trust members, our entry is free. We have visited with our grandchildren for picnics and woodland walks, and also spent time relaxing, just the two of us, on deckchairs, close to the house.
4. Revolution House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
It was the dark year 1688 when rumour and unrest muttered up and down the country and James II sat uneasily on the throne of England. On bleak and windswept Whittington Moor stood an alehouse called the Cock and Pynot (a dialect word for magpie). Through the rain, three horsemen rode to this remote place, stepped inside and started plotting to overthrow the King. These men were the Earl of Devonshire, the Earl of Danby, and Mr John D’Arcy. Between them, they raised support in the North and Midlands, and planned to offer the Crown to James’ daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William. William and Mary landed at Torbay in November 1688. The country rose in support and James fled to France. The Revolution was over, but the alehouse at Whittington still stands, with its thatched roof and its intriguing name – Revolution House. Today, Revolution House has a display of 17th Century furniture, a video on the Revolution of 1688 and a programme of events through the summer.
Reviewed By U5082RUandyb - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
A little cottage in the village of Old Whittington Chesterfield with historic importance .used to be an old inn
5. Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By GrahamR286 - Honiton, United Kingdom
This unique venue is ridiculously cheap. For £5 you gain access to a roundhouse with an impressive array of steam and diesel locomotives. There are also other locomotives on site which are visible from a viewing platform. The cafe is also good value.
6. Chesterfield War Memorial
7. Sutton Scarsdale Hall
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By 997briant - London, United Kingdom
Derbyshire in Middle England has a plethora of fine historic stately homes and ancient castles which you should definitely visit if you are touring the county. Each one is noteworthy in its own right, and I’ve reviewed most of them here over the years. But the empty, derelict, and now crumbling shell of a grand Georgian mansion built in the 1720s (around a smaller 15th century building) presents quite a different story to what you’ll see in the others. The ruins of Sutton Scaresdale Hall evoke a tale of a former grand lifestyle, yet conveys a sadness of a grand lifestyle that’s gone awry. The extravagant baroque-style mansion was built for the 4th Earl of Scaresdale, but the costs of such a splendid building left the Scaresdale heirs with depleted funds, and in the early 19th century they were forced to sell. In 1919 it was sold to assets strippers. Its fine interior stucco plasterwork was sold off as architectural salvage (some rooms went to organisations in USA) and the once former home was reduced to a shell. It’s quite a sorry sight now, standing forlornly on the crest of a grassy rise, overlooking the Derbyshire countryside and the beautiful Bolsover Castle in the distance. It is roofless, and as a result its mellow yellow sandstone is rapidly deteriorating. The hall is free to visit, and is managed by the English Heritage. There’s a car park right beside the hall. I’ve visited twice. On this visit, however, the interior of the house could not be visited; it’s fenced off as some conservation work is taking place, to prevent the shell from deteriorating further. However you’ll be able to get some glimpses of its former glory from the remnants of fabulous stucco decorations that remain in a couple of rooms. Some of the interior photographs I’m posting with this review were taken on my first visit, when the interiors could be visited. You can walk around three sides of the hall. The path is easy, and suitable for those using mobility assistance. Don’t miss the grand Palladian east facade, with its many Corinthian columns and central pediment. It’s stunning, yet stunningly sad at the same time. The hall is located in the village of the same name, off the A617. As you can’t visit the hall’s interior, you won’t need to spend hours here. I think it is definitely worth a visit.
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