The Derbyshire town of Chesterfield is located in the East Midlands and bordered by the stunning Peak District National Park. An excellent spot for those wanting a quick commute to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham with the added bonus of scenic countryside on the doorstep and a strong sense of community, there is plenty to attract homebuyers to this popular market town.

Read on to find out 10 things you may not know about Chesterfield and why it might be just the place for you! 

The town has a strong sense of history

Chesterfield is famed for its 13th century crooked spire on the church of St Mary’s and All Saints which is said to have been knocked out of place when the Devil leapt over the church in anger after an unsuccessful visit to a local farrier (Rather than the more obvious result of heat from the sun affecting the timber!).   

However, the town is also awash with plenty of other historic landmarks such as the scenic, 45-mile-long Chesterfield Canal and Elizabethan Harwick Hall.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre and the Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery have a great range of exhibitions taking you back in time through Chesterfield’s interesting heritage too and the historic Royal Oak pub on the Shambles dates back to the 12th century and was even said to be popular with the Knights Templars.

With a famous roll call of former residents

From esteemed actor Sir John Hurt CBE to Labour MP Tony Benn, Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor and engineer George Stephenson, “The Father of the Railways” and principal inventor of the railroad locomotive, all have called Chesterfield home at some point. As did suffragettes and social reformers Winifred Jones, Gwen John and Violet Markham plus longstanding MP Barbara Castle.

Chesterfield boasts one of the largest open-air markets in the country

Chesterfield is also home to one of the largest open-air markets in the country. Popular  Chesterfield Market dates back over 800 years and has seasonal, local produce, homeware, fashion and food on offer every Monday, Friday and Saturday from 09.00 – 16.00. 

There is also a Flea Market each Thursday, an Artisan Market on the last Sunday of every month, an Autojumble Market on Mondays and regular Young Persons Markets and Record Fairs at the market square.

Chesterfield certainly has a strong retail history as the first branch of the men’s retailer Burton was also opened in the town in 1903 by Sir Montague Maurice Burton.

With impressive local amenities too

For the shoppers, the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has lots of high street favourites including H&M, Holland & Barrett, Superdrug and Waterstones. Popular favourites The Range, TK Maxx and Currys PC World can be found at the out-of-town Ravenside Retail Park. Or you could always head to retail and leisure behemoth Meadowhall only 30 minutes away.

When it comes to getting back to nature, Holmebrook Valley Park, Grassmoor Country Park on the Five Pits Trail and nearby Sherwood Forest (of Robin Hood fame) will not disappoint.

For indoor fun, Chesterfield Escape Rooms is definitely worth a visit.

The local arts scene is strong

The Pomegranate Theatre and the Winding Wheel Theatre both offer a great range of live entertainment and film screenings and for the more modern movie experience, there is a multiplex Cineworld Cinema.

The Chesterfield Festival of Dance & Musical Theatre is also a popular annual event and brass band enthusiasts will enjoy the nearby Bolsover Festival of Brass.

And sport and fitness are also important to locals

Local side Chesterfield FC (nicknames the “Spireites”) are popular with locals and there are plenty of sports clubs, gyms and leisure facilities on offer for all members of the family including Queen’s Park Sports Centre, JD Gyms Chesterfield and the Chesterfield Skatepark.

Golfers have their pick of Tapton Golf Course, and the South Chesterfield Golf Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club can also be found locally and plays host to the exciting Chesterfield Festival of Cricket.

Chesterfield is home to impressive local dining options

Derbyshire is known for its great dining scene and the Chesterfield area is no exception. The town takes its eateries seriously and even hosts the annual Chesterfield Food and Drinks Awards to celebrate local favourites such as Chesterfield stalwart Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant, sustainability focused Bottle and Thyme, The Lilypad Cafe & Restaurant and The Market Pub, which has over 100 different types of gin on offer.

And excellent transport links

The town’s location within 11 miles of Sheffield and 24 miles from both Derby and Nottingham means Chesterfield residents have a speedy 30-minute commute to local cities via the A61 (between Derby and Thirsk) and the M1 (between Leeds and London) whilst still having the stunning scenery of the Peaks on the doorstep.

The town’s train station is on the Midland Main Line between Sheffield, Nottingham and London St Pancras, with services to each city taking 15 minutes, 30 minutes and just under 2 hours respectively. Chesterfield bus services connect the area with local towns and villages and there are also National Express services running further afield to Manchester, Bradford and London. When it comes to air travel, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is only an hour’s drive away.

There is also a great selection of schools

There is a great selection of schools in the Chesterfield catchment area and the local independent primary school St Peter and St Paul School is even one of the UK’s top 100 prep schools for ages 3 months to 11 years.

Newbold CofE Primary School, Duckmanton Primary School, Brookfield Community School and Tupton Hall School are all highly rated local options too.

As is Chesterfield College which offers an impressive range of further and higher education, apprenticeship and professional training courses.

And house prices are extremely competitive

Homebuyers will be pleased to hear that popular Chesterfield is competitively priced for the area when it comes to house prices. In the last year, properties in Chesterfield sold for an average price of £201,374. This is more affordable than Derbyshire (£233,891) and the East Midlands region overall (£247,614). Particularly when you compare it to Baslow (£864,127) nearby Quarndon (£721,857) and Duffield (£526,567).

Property prices have risen 8% in the past year though, so don’t hang around if you are after a bargain!