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Around the Bluebank Loop
Type:Walking Route
off Brimington Road North
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S43 1LT
Call direct on:
Tel01246 434762
About
Bluebank Pools is a local nature reserve and the trail around it is accessible for all. It starts and finishes at Bluebank Pools car park near the Mill pub where you can enjoy a drink and a snack.
An alternative starting point is from Newbridge Lane, off Whitting Valley Road at the bottom of Whittington Hill.
As you follow the route, you will see woodlands which are carpeted by bluebells in spring, wildflower meadows with clouds of butterflies, oxbow lakes created when the Rive Rother was straightened in 1890 for the railway and, of course, the Canal itself, a haven for the endangered water vole.
There are picnic sites near Wheeldon Mill Lock and Bluebank Lock, which is the turnaround point for the route. Both these locks were rebuilt in the 1990s by the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteers. The route back follows a disused railway track not far from the rail line still in use today.
Keep a look out for water birds as you walk along. You could spot kingfishers, swans and little grebes, or even pelicans and other wading birds.
Scroll down the page to download a leaflet on the route.
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
Catering
- On-site light refreshments
- Picnic site
Children
- Children welcome
Parking
- Free Parking
Routes
- Accessibility of route - The route is pushchair, scooter and wheelchair friendly
- Length of route (miles) - 2½ miles
- Typical duration of route - 1-2 hours
TripAdvisor
Map & Directions
Road Directions
From North/South Leave M1 motorway at junction 29 and follow A617 to Chesterfield (approx 4 miles). At roundabout select right hand lane and take 4th exit (A61). At traffic light controlled roundabout (Tesco) take 2nd exit (A61). At next roundabout (J E James Cycles) select right hand lane and take 5th exit (B6050, signposted Brimington). Follow road for just over ½ mile, passing under railway bridge, and turn left into Station Road. Car park immediately on left.
From East Follow A617 to M1 motorway junction, then follow route from North/South.
From West Follow A619 from Bakewell to Chesterfield. At traffic light controlled roundabout (Matalan) select middle lane and take 3rd exit. Keep in left lane and at traffic lights go straight on. At roundabout select middle lane and take 2nd exit (A632). Turn immediately left into slip road to A61 (signposted Sheffield). At traffic light controlled roundabout (Tesco) take 2nd exit (A61), then follow route from North/South.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest train station Chesterfield, 1½ miles away
Bus number 78 from Chesterfield town centre, four per day, no Saturday or Sunday service
