Chesterfield's Greenways

About

Greenways are traffic-free routes that connect our towns and villages to the countryside. Walkers, cyclists, horse riders and disabled users can all explore the footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways that link the historic market town of Chesterfield to this area’s beautiful countryside. Derbyshire County Council is always looking for opportunities to link, extend and improve the Greenways network to make it easier for you to get from home to work or out to enjoy the countryside. Using our Greenways you can leave the care at home, hop on a bus and forget about parking.

There’s a lot to explore! You can follow the Cuckoo Way and Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) North towards Sheffield or head west along the Holmebrook Valley Greenway to Linacre Reservoirs and the Peak District beyond. The Hipper Valley and Rother Washlands Greenways take you south towards the Five Pits Trail and the Amber Valley. Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Service looks after these Greenways, Nature Reserves and the Chesterfield Canal. The friendly and informative staff at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre can help you plan and make the most of your visit.

At Rother Valley Country Park you can enjoy walking, cycling, fishing and watersports! There is a horse corral with a mounting ramp for disabled riders. When you’re ready for a break, you can visit the craft centre and café in the courtyard. But the park isn’t just for people, with its five lakes and nature reserve the park is brilliant for wildlife too.

The new Staveley Town Basin opened in 2012 and is another step closer to full restoration of the Chesterfield Canal. The area around the basin will be developed for visitors and the local community. So what comes next? Watch this space…

The Chesterfield Canal was built over 200 years ago and was the motorway of its time. Narrowboats used to the carry lead and coal from Derbyshire out to the River Trent. Now, following restoration you are more likely to see people enjoying the water in canoes and kayaks. The Cuckoo Way is the Chesterfield Canal towpath and is a 46 mile route for walkers from Chesterfield to West Stockwith on the River Trent. Call in at Hollingwood Hub, home of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and enjoy the delicious homemade cakes at the café.

Bluebank Pools Local Nature Reserve is one of the prettiest parts of the restored canal in Derbyshire. The oxbow pools were left behind when the railway was built and the River Rother diverted. These and the canal are home to a great variety of wildlife. Take a peaceful stroll along the towpath, rest at one of the seats or picnic tables and just watch and listen.

Holmebrook Valley Park from here you’ll get spectacular views over Chesterfield to Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle. The park has its own café serving refreshments, including homemade cakes. There are play areas for children, footpaths, cycle paths, football pitches and fishing and it is on the Chesterfield Sculpture Trail.

Poolsbrook Country Park’s lakes, meadows and woodlands are home to swans, skylarks, water voles and much more. Who would believe that this wildlife haven used to be Ireland Colliery, one of the biggest pits in the area? Pop into the community café while you are here for a cup of tea and one of their renowned bacon butties!

Linacre Reservoirs used to supply water to the people of Chesterfield. Now you can enjoy the footpaths and bridleways that take you through the woodlands and round the reservoirs. Take advantage of the scattered picnic areas and enjoy listening to the birdsong or explore and see if you find signs of quarrying and charcoal burning that remind us of the site's industrial past.