Heritage attractions

Chesterfield, a town steeped in history, holds plenty of stories and secrets to be heard. Best known for its crooked spire and 800-year-old market, Chesterfield offers many more heritage attractions for lovers of history and culture to explore.

Do you want to wander through the town and local countryside at your leisure to take in the sights? Or, would you rather be taken on a journey by a guide at one of our local attractions? Whatever your preference, there are lots of exciting ways for you to experience the town.

Seeking events to complement your learning adventures? Satisfy your curious mind and enjoy a visit filled with entertainment including annual events like Rail Ale Festival and Chatsworth Country Fair.

If you’re short on time, click on the links below to jump to specific attractions.

Crooked Spire
Chesterfield Theatres
Chesterfield Canal
Barrow Hill Roundhouse
Bolsover Castle
Renishaw Hall
Hardwick Hall & Stainsby Mill
Chatsworth House & Gardens
Crich Tramway Village
Clumber Park
Sherwood Forest

When you’re out and about, please do share your favourite pictures with us on social media using #LoveChesterfield so that we can spread the word about all of the town’s wonderful heritage attractions. Additionally, let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram if you have a new idea to share.

Heritage attractions close to the town centre

The Crooked Spire

Perhaps Chesterfield’s most well-known landmark, Chesterfield Parish Church stands out with its crooked spire. Folk stories and legends weave tales of how the spire came to be twisted. Visit to learn all about the true history of this iconic medieval church, see the bells and climb up all 152 steps to reveal stunning views of our town.

Accessibility

Accessible toilets
Changing places toilet located nearby at Chesterfield Market Hall
Ramped entrance
Hearing loop
Large Print
Assistance dogs allowed
Dementia aware / accessible
Autism or Asperger aware / accessible
Wheelchair access to the Church but not Tower

Chesterfield Theatres

Experience West End productions, TV personalities and tribute nights in the historic Grade II-listed Winding Wheel Theatre, originally built as a cinema in 1923. Furthermore, renovations on the town’s second theatre, the Pomegranate Theatre, are due to be completed by the end of 2025.

Accessibility (The Winding Wheel Theatre)

Car parks nearby with allocated disabled parking
Drop off and pick up point outside
Level access to the main foyer from the street
2 accessible toilets
Emergency procedures in place to assist visitors with disabilities
Lift to the first floor
Circle seating not accessible for wheelchair users
Assistance dogs welcome but box office must be made aware when booking is made

Chesterfield Canal

Take a breather at the Chesterfield Canal, one of the most varied waterways in England, running for 46 miles from the River Trent to the middle of Chesterfield. If you want a stunning location for a day out, then you can stroll along the towpath or to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the water. Want to try something new? Check out their paddlesports hire in the summer months.

Accessibility

John Varley boat – wheelchair lift
Hollingwood Hub – fully accessible with two accessible toilets
The Western section has been resurfaced the whole of the towpath from the floodlock at St Helena’s to Staveley Town Basin. Beyond this point, the Trans-Pennine Trail is fine to Killamarsh, where Killamarsh Greenway takes over. Additionally, Derbyshire County Council has an access map of the whole county including the canal
Recommendations for sections for mobility scooter access on the canal trust website

Heritage attractions within 10 miles

Barrow Hill Roundhouse

Satisfy your thirst for knowledge at Barrow Hill Roundhouse. The last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable, watch signal box demonstrations, hear unique lectures and explore the museum at your own pace.

Accessibility

Accessible toilets
Disabled access

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle transports you to a lost age of aristocratic extravagance. Wander through the lavishly decorated rooms, before roaming the gardens and hearing tales from the past from costumed storytellers. Enjoy stunning countryside views from the wall walk, as well as a multimedia tour to dive deeper into the castle’s history.

Accessibility

Accessible toilets
Assistance dogs welcome throughout
Disabled parking spaces
Level access to the café and shop
Level access throughout castle grounds
There are 107 steps up to the top of the Little Castle and 100 down to the bottom. There are also some small steps within the castle.

Renishaw Hall

Built in 1625, the Renishaw estate still functions as a family home, as well as a unique heritage experience. Explore the award-winning Italianate gardens with bright bluebells and other stunning flowers through the year, before you delve into the estate’s history at the Sitwell Museum. Take a guided tour to capture the timeless charm and lasting legacy of the Sitwell family.

Accessibility

Garden map for wheelchair or mobility scooter accessible routes can be provided
Mobility scooter available free of charge but may need booking in advance
Mobility scooters cannot be accommodated on guided hall tours
Paths surrounding gardens are grass or gravel

Hardwick Hall & Stainsby Mill

Admire the spectacular Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan house filled with tapestries and furnishings preserved by the Devonshire family. The Estate welcomes daily exploration. Enjoy beautiful walks or attend a tour, exhibition, or other event. In addition, Stainsby Mill, a restored 19th-century wooden-geared watermill, stands as part of the estate.

Accessibility

Accessible route and/or map
Accessible toilet
Drop off point and mobility parking
Level access to food outlet and shop
Wheelchairs and powered mobility vehicle available, pre-booking is advised
Ramped access/slopes
Seating available throughout main visitor routes
Steps/some uneven terrain
Transfer buggy service available from Visitor Reception to the main entry for Gardens and Hall
Virtual tour available in the hall
Shuttle service between visitor reception and the hall every 15 minutes
Assistance dogs welcome
First floor of the Old Hall only available via a staircase
Flagstone pathways and grass lawn in front of the Old Hall ruin
Stainsby Mill:
- Partly accessible, steep slopes, steep stair access to the first floor. Accessible toilet located at Hardwick Park Centre
- Ramped access/slopes
- Steep slope with partly accessible grounds
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Ladder access to the first floor of the Mill.

Chatsworth House & Gardens

Explore the stunning Chatsworth Estate, where the scent of blooming gardens greets you. Wander through over 25 rooms filled with 4,000 years of art and artifacts, learning about the Devonshire family’s legacy. Outside, the 105-acre gardens offer vibrant colours, reflecting nearly 500 years of careful cultivation.

Accessibility

Accessible route map available
Closest side of the house car park reserved for accessible parking, as well as drop off and collection area for those with restricted mobility
Garden and farmyard entrances are located on slight incline and is paved
Lift in the house
Manual wheelchairs for use in the house, garden and farmyard can be borrowed and booked in advance
The garden is accessible to visitors who use manual or electric wheelchairs and electric scooters
Guided buggy tours of the garden are available for an additional charge and leave from outside the house exit. They are pre-bookable online or, subject to availability, bookable on the day. Not currently a wheelchair accessible buggy
The tractor and trailer that travels from the farmyard is fully accessible for those using a wheelchair or other mobility aid
Fully accessible toilets are located near the house entrance and contain a ceiling mounted hoist system, raised toilet and adult changing facilities.
The Carriage House restaurant, Cavendish restaurant, The Parlour and the shops are all fully accessible

Heritage attractions further afield

Crich Tramway Village

Take a journey through time at Crich Tramway Village, home of The National Tramway Museum. Ride on the world-renowned vintage trams before exploring exhibitions and watching trams be restored. It’ offers the perfect blend of history, learning and excitement.

Accessibility

Access ramps or lifts to all visitor facilities
Smooth pathway to provide smoother alternative to cobbles
Wheelchairs available for hire
Disable toilets nearby
Free admission for one carer per disabled person
8 disabled parking spaces
An Access Tram, which is adapted to carry wheelchairs (requires one week’s notice to run and is subject to crew availability)

Clumber Park

Stroll through the undeniably beautiful expanse of parkland, heath and woodland at Clumber Park. Covering over 3,800 acres, Clumber Park served as the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle for over 3 centuries. Catch a glimpse of the estate’s grand past with a Gothic-style chapel and walled kitchen garden, as well as the Pleasure Grounds.

Accessibility

Accessible route and/or map
Accessible toilet
Changing places
Disabled parking
Drop-off point
Level access to food outlet and shop
Mobility scooters to hire
Seating available
Some steps and uneven terrain

Sherwood Forest

Explore the ancient royal forest of Sherwood Forest, known for the legend of Robin Hood. Attend seasonal events, take a stroll and admire the giant ancient oak trees and soak up the history of the area.

Accessibility

Lift in Visitor Centre
Two accessible toilets
Changing places facility
Mobile scooters to hire
Emergency evacuation procedures visitors with disabilities
Accessible parking
Picnic area has some tables with space for wheelchair users
Assistance dogs allowed
Area for charging mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs

Interested in events happening at heritage attractions and elsewhere in Chesterfield while you’re here? Take a look at our dedicated what’s on guide to find out what’s on in the town.

More information

For further information about things to do in Chesterfield contact:

Chesterfield Visitor Information Service
Tel: 01246 345777
tourism@chesterfield.gov.uk
www.visitchesterfield.info