Things to Do in Chesterfield

Small, tidy public garden behind the town hall with the 'Pomegranate' sculpture and benches. A quiet spot to sit in the middle of town.

🕐 Dawn to dusk (all year)

💡 Free public toilets are hidden behind the town hall entrance next to the park. Best used before heading to the market.

Victorian park with a boating lake, bandstand, children's play area, and well-kept flower beds. The River Hipper runs through it.

🕐 Dawn to dusk (all year)

💡 Bring bread for the ducks, but not too much — the swans get aggressive if you're not careful. The café does decent tea but closes at 3pm.

Small local museum covering the town's industrial and Roman history. Has a rotating art exhibition space upstairs and a Victorian classroom replica.

🕐 Tuesday–Saturday 10am–4pm

💡 The coal mining section has a genuine Davy lamp you can switch on. Allow 45 minutes. It's closed on Sundays and Mondays.

One of the largest outdoor markets in the UK, held in the pedestrianised Market Square. Stalls sell fresh produce, clothes, household goods, and bric-a-brac.

🕐 Monday–Saturday 9am–4pm (outdoor market Monday, Friday, Saturday; indoor market daily except Sunday)

💡 Go on a Saturday for the full outdoor spread. The indoor market next door has cheaper greasy spoon cafés than the touristy spots on the square.

The twisted spire of St Mary and All Saints' Church, a 14th-century leaning tower landmark. Entry to the church is free; guided tower tours cost a small fee.

🕐 Church open daily 9am–5pm (tours usually offered April–October, check the church noticeboard)

💡 You don't need to pay to see the spire — stand on the south side of the churchyard for the best angle. The tour is worth it though; the lead and timber twisting is visible from inside.