Chesterfield lies in the borough of Derbyshire and is predominantly a market town. It is the largest town in Derbyshire and is famous for the ‘Crooked Spire’ with regards to the architecture of the Church of Saint Mary and All Saints. The spire is not actually directly attached to the church and is surprisingly kept in place due to its weight.
Chesterfield also has a huge market with over 200 stalls providing the finest fruit and vegetables. From its opening in 1165 many centuries ago, Chesterfield has a vibrant market and is worth a visit. The flea market is open every Thursday and the farmers market opens on each second Thursday per month. General market days function on all Monday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s. They also hold a car boot sale every Sunday at the Holywell Cross Car Park.
For a more cultural experience of Chesterfield you can visit the Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery. The museum takes you back in time when the area was originally a roman fort and goes through the history behind the Crooked Spire Church. The museum also looks at the Industrial Revolution with relation to the construction of local industries and railway stations. The Art Gallery showcases many national historical art pieces such as the work of Joseph Syddall, one of England’s leading draughtsmen.
You can also visit the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre which was built in the late 18th century. It was primarily built as a maintenance centre for steam railway engines where constant regimented repairs would take place. Many railway centres had cone shaped roofs which is where the name Roundhouse originated from. By the 1860’s these buildings grew larger in size and eventually lost their conical shape however the name Roundhouse still remained in place.
Following a certain time period, most Roundhouses had to close down as the age of the steam engine had elapsed so these buildings were often completely destroyed. Barrow Hill managed to change with the times and went on to become an engine shed for diesel rail engines where coal would be transported from local mines. British Rail tried to shut it down in the early nineties, fortunately a local society protested and in present day it stands as the single, only working roundhouse in England.
Another place of interest could be Chesterfield’s Peak District which is in fact the first national park in Britain. It can be found four miles from the town centre and its epic natural beauty highlights much of England’s greatest scenery. The district has footpaths that continue for hundreds of miles giving visitors time to digest the scenic view.
There are many ways to enjoy the Peak District, whether you wish to discover the range of wildlife or explore the history and heritage behind it, this is a place where visitors can find peace as the quiet country lanes and trails lead to a memorable day. From walking to cycling, to horseback riding through The Moors, you can take in your surroundings without the hassle of traffic and congestion, typically found outside of the district.
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