Things to do in Derbyshire

5 fabulous events taking place in Chesterfield this May

As the warmth of summer draws near, it’s time to start planning some exciting adventures for your family here in Chesterfield.

Things are really heating up across our town, with excitement and adventure for families of all shapes and sizes.

So this May, mark your calendars, pack a picnic, and get ready to create unforgettable memories together at these fabulous events.

Peddler Market

1 male and 1 female smiling at the camera

This month sees the fourth instalment of the iconic Peddler Market in Chesterfield town centre on the 17th and 18th May.

This great event has made itself right at home in New Square, so if you’ve not been yet, make sure you head along and try some delicious food and drink whilst enjoying live music, entertainment and crafts.

Chesterfield Craft and Makers Market

Birdseye view of Chesterfield market place with stalls and people

The 18th May will also see the Chesterfield Craft and Makers Market arriving back in town, with plenty of opportunities for you to pick up unique products and gifts from local independents.

Dine on seasonal food offerings and browse handmade gifts, whilst helping to support our brilliant local producers!

Chesterfield Canal Cruises

Woman on blue trip boat on Chesterfield Canal with red trip boat ahead

Chesterfield Canal

If you’re after a bit of relaxation, a leisurely journey along the picturesque Chesterfield Canal will be the perfect way to unwind – as the special Canal Cruises are back in full swing.

Gather the family and hop aboard for a relaxing cruise through stunning scenery. Look out for the Fish and Chips Special cruises too taking place on selected dates – a perfect setting for a meal with family or friends.

Rail Ale Festival

Rail Ale Festival - Image Credit: Paul Bigland

Rail Ale Festival – Image Credit: Paul Bigland sml

We can’t talk about the wonderful events happening this May without mentioning the fabulous Rail Ale Festival at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The annual celebration will give you or a loved one the chance to discover a vast array of real ales, craft beers, and refreshing beverages to sample. The event always promises some fantastic entertainment, too.

Rock music fans will love pumping their fists and stamping their feet to a tribute to the world-famous AC/DC at the ‘Rail Ale Rock Night’ on Thursday, 16th May.

Chesterfield Walking Festival

Chesterfield Area Walking Festival

Our final pick for the month is one for families who love the great outdoors. Lace up your walking shoes and join in the fun at the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival.

Choose from a variety of guided walks from the 11th-19th May catering to all ages and abilities, ranging from leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes.

For more information on all the events happening locally, visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events/

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Chatsworth to celebrate childhood with a new season of activities

A new family festival, a reimagined adventure playground and a multi-sensory art exhibition are just a glimpse of the year-long cultural programme of events coming to Chatsworth under the theme of ‘Celebrating Childhood’, encouraging visitors to experience Chatsworth and its rich history from a new perspective.

From Saturday 16 March, Chatsworth House and Garden will re-open to visitors with the launch of this year’s exhibition, Picturing Childhood. The thought-provoking and multi-sensory exhibition is designed to be enjoyed by all ages through the lens of childhood. It will include rarely seen artistic masterpieces from the collection, some of which will be on display for the first time, alongside new commissions and loans.

Visitors are invited to see, touch, smell, feel, think, do, and play through new commissions and loans by artists that encourage hands-on and perspective-bending interactions, including a unique scent experience curated by food historian and scent artist, Tasha Marks, and ‘Anthronaut’ series by Abigail Reynolds, which invites visitors to shift their visual perspective of Chatsworth.

Chatsworth House Trust is also working with educational partners to ensure the exhibition creates opportunities for collaboration with those in the local community. Children from Athelstan School in Sheffield will be invited for a ‘Chatsworth takeover’ week in June, including taking charge of its social media channel.

Chatsworth is partnering with The Reading Agency, which will help share the charity’s extensive learning resources with over one million subscribers and connect with local families to guide the content of special mindfulness areas, complete with books selected by young users of Chesterfield Library.

In addition to annual favourite events including the Chatsworth International Horse Trials, Country Fair and the spectacular Christmas display, Chatsworth is launching its inaugural family festival. Taking place from 25 – 27 May, families will be invited to unleash their creativity and let imaginations run wild. Developed for all ages, activities will include mastering gravity-defying circus skills, learning bushcraft, running for gold in sports day races, walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs and scavenger hunts.

Elsewhere on the estate, Chatsworth’s much-loved woodland adventure playground is undergoing a large-scale redevelopment, enhancing opportunities for imaginative free play and immersion within the beautiful surrounding nature of the estate. Set to reopen from April, families can enjoy an exciting day out packed full of adventure and play within the safe setting of the farmyard and playground.

The year-round learning and cultural programme will include a series of events including expert-led talks, tours and workshops for adults and children to explore new pastimes or develop an existing skill, many of which will be centred on the theme of ‘Celebrating Childhood’ at any age.

These include Historic Waterways Tours led by the landscape team through Stand Wood; Cutting Garden Floristry Workshops where participants will learn how to create seasonal arrangements using flowers from the garden; Macramé Plant Hanger workshops led by a local artist, Lamb feeding experiences; and guided tours of Picturing Childhood by exhibition curator Gill Hart.

This season will also see the launch of a new pricing initiative, aiming to take active steps to remove barriers to entry and demonstrate Chatsworth House Trust’s commitment to Chatsworth being a place for everyone. This includes a £10 year-round children’s ticket, giving access to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground.

Jane Marriott, Director of Chatsworth House Trust, said: “Through this season celebrating childhood, we hope that our visitors can experience Chatsworth from a new perspective – one that is playful and inquisitive, that celebrates learning and encourages a deeper connection and enjoyment of Chatsworth’s rich history.

“Childhood is something that unites us all. This year we will continue to commission new and exciting artists, introduce our first Chatsworth Family Festival, and develop our learning programme that is packed with opportunities to develop new skill. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to join us for a new perspective at Chatsworth.”
William Burlington, Chairman of Chatsworth House Trust, said: “We are thrilled that 2024 will be a year of storytelling, discovery and play as we celebrate children and childhood at Chatsworth throughout the year.

This year’s exhibition presents exciting new work by exceptional artists alongside the very best works from the historic collection, some on show for the first time. The exhibition has been designed to provoke wonder and to encourage new and different ways to get involved with art and ideas in the house and landscape, and we hope it will bring joy to people of all ages.”

For more information on the events being held at Chatsworth throughout the next 12 months, please visit the website here: https://www.chatsworth.org/events/
And for more information on the Picturing Childhood exhibition, please visit: https://www.chatsworth.org/events/picturing-childhood/

To find out more about upcoming events taking place across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, head over to our events page.

Chatsworth supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chatsworth - Season Opening 1 2024

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Dronfield Arts Festival 2023 to entertain the whole family this Summer

Organisers of the Dronfield Arts Festival say they are excited to be bringing a bumper lineup of music, food and entertainment to the event this year.

Taking place from 7th-9th July, the festival will begin on Friday with an evening of music at Dronfield Hall Barn, featuring several local bands. Confirmed to perform on the evening are The Cellar Thieves, McShane and Shaw, Phil Doleman and Barnsdale Hood.

On Saturday 8th July, the festival then moves across to manor gardens, Civic Hall and the Barn with a variety of acts, food and entertainments throughout the day. Saturday night will see the Greentop Circus performing a cabaret style show at the Civic Hall.

The final day of the festival will once again see a mix of acts, food and entertainments throughout the day.

Sam Reavey, Creative Manager at Dronfield Heritage Trust commented: “We are super excited to be bringing the Arts Festival. This year we have moved the date to July, so it will be even more anticipated when the date comes around.

“The Arts Festival is designed to bring the whole community together. We offer a wide range of different entertainments and refreshments and make as much as we can free. The festival has the opportunity to bring communities together and instils a sense of community pride. We hope our festival teach people new things, and strengthen relationships.

“The footfall our the weekend goes into the 1000s, and is the perfect opportunity for businesses to connect with new or existing customers. Being a part of the festival hopefully benefits businesses both economically and holistically.”

All entertainment at the festival is free of charge, unless stated. Follow Dronfield Hall Barn and Dronfield Arts Festival on Facebook for the upcoming details.

Dronfield Hall Barn and Dronfield Arts Festival support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Dronfield Arts Festival

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Barlow Carnival to take place this weekend

The popular Barlow Carnival returns this weekend, and hundreds of people are expected to visit the picturesque North Derbyshire village for the event.

The celebrations get underway on Wednesday as the village’s three Well Dressings are opened to the public with a blessing taking place at St Lawrence Church from 6.30pm, followed by a procession through the village.

St Lawrence Church will also be open from Wednesday with their popular flower festival this year on theme of ‘Name That Tune’ with cream teas available. A funfair will be open from the Wednesday evening through until Sunday opposite the Village Hall.

The fun continues throughout the week including the Open Air Cinema on Friday 19 August, with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again being screened.

The main Carnival Day take place on Saturday, 20th August with the Carnival Parade setting off from Springfield Road at 2pm, with road closures around the village. The parade includes a display of decorated floats and fancy dress followed by celebrations on the Carnival Field.

Entertainment on the Carnival Field includes Mighty Smith (Strong Man), Barlow Red Barrows, Birds of Prey, Derby Ambassadors Show Band, live music, vintage cars and much much more.

There will be plenty of stalls including food outlets, local independent crafters and a tombola on offer too.

On Saturday evening the Carnival Field hosts Rock the Carnival with live music from local bands Lunarca, Pearl Heart and Escape Plan.

The fun continues on the Sunday with Chesterfield Guide Dogs presenting their popular dog show from 11am (registration from 10am) accompanied by children’s entertainment and competitions, Heeley City Farm followed by Tug of War competition and inflatable challenge from 1pm.

Terry Allison, Barlow Carnival Committee Chairman said: “We’re so excited to be hosting Barlow Carnival this weekend. Unfortunately we couldn’t hold the event in 2020, we returned in 2021 and the event is going from strength to strength.

“It’s the highlight of the year for many local people, with hundreds of people flocking to the village to join the celebrations we’re getting set for a fantastic weekend. There is something for all the family to enjoy.”

For more information about all the fun planned for Barlow Carnival 2022 see www.barlowcarnival.co.uk

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Peak District Highland Games to return this August

Some of the nation’s strongest men and women are coming to our region next month, to battle it out in the bid to be The Peak District Highland Games Champion 2022.

The flagship show, now in its seventh year, takes place at Matlock Farm Park on Sunday 28 August. It features athletes participating in six demanding strength events including the Tossing of the Caber, Eight Tonne Tractor Pull and Peak District Dinnie Stone Challenge. Beginning with a parade of the athletes accompanied by a Scottish Piper Band, the day sees an expert MC provide exciting commentary to enthuse the crowd, with the opportunity for spectators to even take part in a Tug of War.

Lotty Hawkins, Assistant manager of Matlock Farm Park said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this fantastic event once again. It’s such a favourite for so many people, whatever the age. It’s a real spectacle and with so much else going on in the park, there’s something for everyone.”

The day also features a range of food, market and craft stalls with a Bradfield Brewery beer tent and Franklin & Sons gin garden for Summer refreshments. There is an interactive exotic animal encounter, along with much of the usual fun of the farm park, including sheep racing, small animal handling and playtime fun with their new Enchanted Hamlet and Jumping Pillow.

The 2021 Games saw the introduction of Strongwomen at the event, who were warmly received by the crowd. Multiple Guinness World Record Holder Nicky Walters and teenage sensation Millie Thornton took on a mighty Tractor Pull and Caber Toss, but it was arguably Chloe Brennan who stole the show lifting the legendary Peak District Dinnie Stones. This year will see the addition of Emma Wilson, Kay Gallacher and Michaela Moore.

Manbeast Events director Andy Picken said: “There is growing diversity in strength sports and women are demonstrating great dedication to training and some awesome displays of strength.”

He continued: “The female and male athletes are really excited about this year’s Peak District Highland Games, with some amazing competitors lined up. In 2021, Dave Thornton beat twice PDHG Champion Scott Mark Litchfield and it will be interesting to see if one of these can take the title again.

With the introduction of some new athletes, notably 6 feet 7 inches tall young strongman Terry Harrison from Lincoln, it will be fascinating to see how the new ones fair against the experienced and established field of athletes.”

To find out more and to purchase tickets for The Peak District Highland Games, see matlockfarmpark.digitickets.co.uk/tickets.

Find out more about some of the great events and activities taking place across Chesterfield this summer on our Summer In Chesterfield page.

Matlock Farm Park supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Matlock Farm Park reveals new ‘Enchanted Hamlet’

One of our area’s best family attractions, Matlock Farm Park has unveiled it’s latest new addition; The Enchanted Hamlet.

The Enchanted Hamlet is an exciting, brand new indoor and outdoor adventure play area at Matlock Farm Park, adding even more fun to a day out at the park.

Built of beautiful, rustic oak and larch, featuring enchanting twisted stagwood around much of the equipment, the hamlet is designed to encourage imaginative, sensory, physical and problem solving play for tots through to tweens, also providing delight for parents as they get involved too.

There is a large sand-based zone with chutes, pulley systems and platforms to encourage team work between children; sand kitchens and a traditional pit for little ones to enjoy sandcastle making; a pea gravel zone with areas designed especially for transference of materials, including very popular mini diggers and hidey holes too for children to enjoy.

The Hamlet will also feature an adventure zone, featuring a high tower with internal climbing wall and cargo net, a stunning bridge to walk across and get views of the park, slides-a-plenty and a great timber tangle climbing frame for a real challenge.

Much of the area is covered by a dramatic, huge round house, providing shelter and shade allowing visitors to use the area in all weathers. There is also lots of seating to relax at whilst supervising children and a ‘Fodder Wagon’ catering unit, for people to buy drinks and snacks.

Lotty Hawkins, Assistant Manager at Matlock Farm Park, said: “We’ve wanted to create something special like this for years and to finally see it all come to fruition is just wonderful. It’s a big investment for us, but we want to give our visitors an amazing experience when they come here and we know that animal activity combined with playtime is what families really enjoy.

“Covid lockdowns were really hard, but we’ve bounced back and had fantastic support from our visitors. We’ve made lots of improvements over the last 18 months, including adding the UK’s largest Jumping Pillow last Spring, and now we are just thrilled to have created The Enchanted Hamlet – it’s nice to be able to give something back to our loyal supporters.

“With the farm park being such a wide open, rural setting, we really wanted to compliment this with a play area built of beautiful, rustic wood and as you enter the farm park, the tower and round house covering are visible, giving a hint to what follows ahead. We wanted to create a feeling of enchantment.

“Many of our visitors have been coming to the farm park for years and the feedback on The Enchanted Hamlet has just been brilliant. Will be doing more development in the coming years? You never know – watch this space.”

Matlock Farm Park supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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