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Photos of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.
The town of Chesterfield is most famous for
the amazing 'crooked spire' of St Mary and All Saints church and its large
open air market. Chesterfield Tourist information is located on Rykneld
Square in the heart of the town Tel (01246) 345777
Chesterfield has managed to keep some of its medieval streets and buildings,
It's worth taking a walk down the narrow streets off the Market Place into
the Shambles and the old Butchery quarter. In Irongate stands the Royal
Oak, one of Chesterfields oldest public houses, first mentioned as an inn
in 1722 formerly being a rest house for the Knights Templar band of Crusaders.
To the south of the town centre is Queen's park which was built to celebrate
Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and opened in 1893. It has a cricket ground,
Boating lake, Miniature train and children's play area as well as a restored
Victorian bandstand where you can watch brass bands play on Sunday afternoons.
To the north of Chesterfield town centre at Tapton lies the Chesterfield canal, surveyed
by famous local Derbyshire man James Brindley in 1777 which linked the town
to the river Trent at West Stockwith, it has one of the longest tunnels
(at Norwood) and one of the first multiple staircase lock flights in the
country. Boat trips on the canal are available from Tapton lock Sundays
from Easter to end of October (1pm-4pm).
This canal is currently being restored to its former glory by the Chesterfield
Canal Trust.
St
Mary and All Saints church:
The spire reaches 228 foot into the air and is a well known highly visible
landmark in the area. The reason it is twisted is because it has been
built using unseasoned timber and the sheer weight of the herringbone
lead plate covering (The lead weighs 32 Tons). There is a legend that
it is twisted because a magician persuaded a Bolsover a blacksmith to
shoe the devil. Shaking with fear, he drove a nail into the Devil's foot.
Howling in pain, the Devil took flight towards Chesterfield. Skimming
over the church, he lashed out in agony, caught the spire and twisted
it round.
St Mary and All Saints is the largest church in Derbyshire and is a landmark that Chesterfield is well know for.
The building
was dedicated in 1234, although it wasn't finished until 1360. The church
is open all year 9am-5pm Mon to Sat and if you would like to take a guided
tour up the tower then visit on a summer bank holiday, Parties by appointment.
In the churchyard stands the town's first gas lamp of 1824, decorated
by Joseph Bower. It originally stood in the market place. Chesterfield
was the first town in Derbyshire to install electric street lighting in
1881.
Chesterfield
market:
The traditional open air market has been going since at least 1165, when
the sheriff of Derbyshire recorded an account of £1 2s 7d from the
market of Chesterfield. In the early 1220's it outgrew its original site
near the church and moved to its current location in front of the market
hall. The markets are held on Monday, Friday and Saturdays with a Flea
market on Thursdays. Holiday markets take place on Easter Monday, May
Day, Spring Bank and August Bank holiday Monday. There are 200 stalls
to look around so you are sure to find something of interest.
For modern shopping stores visit Vicar Lane, The Pavements Centre and
the Yards.
For a map of the local area click HERE
For a aerial photo with overlayed map click HERE
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