Chesterfield Canal Walking Festival

We will explore the local history, especially the Victorian and Edwardian boom years of the village, comparing the village now and then, using old photographs. The Canal brought a great boost to the village and helped to create the boom years of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, a time when nonconformist and established religions played a major role in people’s lives. We will finish at All Saints Parish Church which dates from the 12th century. The east window of the Holy Cross chapel was designed by John Piper and made by his glassmaker, Patrick Reyntiens, famous for their work on Coventry Cathedral’s restored Baptistry window, one of the greatest stained glass windows in the world.
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Gentle
Starting point: Wharf Bridge, Wharf Road, Misterton, DN10 4EE
Grid reference: SK 768944
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing point: All Saints’ Church, DN10 4AL
Grid reference: SK 765947
Finishing time: 12.00 noon
Linear walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Misterton residents, David Seymour, local historian, and Hazel Brand
To book this walk, click here.

There will be the chance to visit five beautiful historic rural churches. We will start at St Mary’s Georgian church in West Stockwith before joining the canal at the basin. After walking to Misterton and visiting the Methodist Church and the Grade l listed All Saints’ Parish Church with its Piper window, we will rejoin the canal, heading to Gringley-on-the-Hill with the chance to visit St Peter and St Paul’s Parish Church at the top of the hill. Back to the canal, we follow the towpath to St Peter’s Parish Church in Clayworth to see the amazing Traquair Murals. As this is a linear walk, you can use Stagecoach bus 97 for a connection.
Distance: 8 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: St Mary’s Church, Main Street, West Stockwith, DN10 4EY
Grid reference: SK 790947
Starting time: 10.15 a.m.
Finishing point: St Peter’s Church, Town Street, Clayworth, DN22 9AD
Grid reference: SK 726883
Finishing time: 3.15 p.m.
Linear walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Notts Area Ramblers
To book this walk, click here.

We welcome anyone but especially those on classic bikes and stylishly dressed so come and join us for our annual Cycle in Style! The ride will be along the traffic free station link, then Brimington Road, alongside the canal and back into town along the traffic free Stonegravels Way before riding through town again back to the Vintage Tea Rooms.
Distance: 6 miles
Grading: Easy cycle ride
Starting point: Vintage Tea Rooms, Steeplegate, Chesterfield S40 1SA
Grid reference: SK 384710
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Circular ride
Free of charge
Ride led by Chesterfield Cycle Campaign
To book this walk, click here.

Led by experienced guides from the Retford Civic Society, we will take in the magnificent Market Square with its range of Georgian buildings, Cannon Square, local Churches and other historic buildings before passing through the award-winning Kings’ Park for a meander along the Chesterfield Canal which then crosses over the River Idle!
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Gentle
Starting point: Bay Tree Restaurant car park, 86 Carolgate, Retford, DN22 6AS
Grid reference: SK 706807
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 11.30 a.m.
Circular walk, no stiles but some steps
Free of charge
Walk led by Retford Civic Society
To book this walk, click here.

The start of our walk takes us past the ruined Thorpe Salvin Hall, built in the 1570s by Henry Sandford a minor Lord. It is thought to have been modelled on a now demolished Hall at Chatsworth. It was abandoned in favour of a larger residence at nearby Kiveton Park. We will walk by a stretch of the Chesterfield Canal before entering Hawks Wood. Joining the canal again, we pass a flight of locks and return to Thorpe Salvin through the delightful Old Spring Wood.
Distance: 4 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: The Parish Oven, Worksop Road, Thorpe Salvin, S80 3JU
Grid reference: SK 523810
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 12.00 noon
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 4 above, but starting at 2.00 p.m. and finishing at 3.30 p.m.
To book this walk, click here.

The walk offers extensive views of the surrounding countryside. We will pass close to Netherthorpe Airfield and Shireoaks Hall, a Grade II listed 17th Century Country Manor House. Our route then takes us to one of the loveliest stretches of the Chesterfield Canal, from Shireoaks to Thorpe Salvin, passing the Marina and Turnerwood.
Distance: 8 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: The Parish Oven, Worksop Road, Thorpe Salvin, S80 3JU
Grid reference: SK 523810
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.00 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

We shall look in some detail at the plans for the canal basin area and on beyond the current limit of restoration, including the length of canal where preparation is advanced. Over £5 million in grant funding has been awarded and work should commence in 2023. The circular walk follows the route of the canal and the Trans-Pennine Trail.
Distance: 4¼ miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Staveley Town Basin, Eckington Road, Staveley, S43 3XZ
Grid reference: SK 435751
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 1.00 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

We will walk along the canal and the River Rother finishing up at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, Britain’s last surviving working railway roundhouse, where an optional guided tour will be available for £3. We will see lots of beautiful flora and fauna as well as the industrial heritage of this remarkable area. A heritage and wildlife guide will accompany us.
Distance: 4 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, S41 7JB
Grid reference: SK 387729
Starting time: 11.15 a.m.
Finishing point: Barrow Hill Roundhouse, S43 2PR
Grid reference: SK 413754
Finishing time: 1.00 p.m.
Linear walk, no stiles, some steps
Walk free of charge, but £3 for optional tour of Roundhouse
Walk led by Chesterfield Cultural Education Partnership
To book this walk, click here.

A walk along the canal towpath and through Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Idle Valley Nature Reserve, with plenty of opportunity to watch the birds along the way. The reserve covers an area of 430 hectares and is one of the largest sites for nature conservation in the East Midlands. It is particularly important for wetland birds and is well used by both resident and migratory species. We will encounter a variety of different habitats including open water, woodland and scrub and pass the new beaver enclosure.
Distance: 6 miles
Grading: Easy (slow – bird watching)
Starting point: Retford & Worksop Boat Club, Clayworth Common, Clayworth, DN22 9AJ
Grid reference: SK 731877
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.30 p.m.
Circular walk
Free of charge
Walk leaders are members of Chesterfield Canal Trust, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and RSPB
To book this walk, click here.

Please note that if you book this walk you must also do Stages 2 and 3 on Wednesday and Thursday.
The walk includes sections of the river Rother and the restored canal, the Trans-Pennine Trail, and the restoration route through Renishaw and Killamarsh.
Distance: 15 miles
Grading: Strenuous
Starting point: Waterside gates, Holbeck Close, Chesterfield, S41 7XH
Grid reference: SK 387715
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing point: Dog Kennel Bridge, next to Kiveton Park Station, Red Hill, S26 6PB
Grid reference: SK 507824
Finishing time: 5.00 p.m.
Linear walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Hazel Brand and David Seymour
To book this walk, click here.

A sample of the Rother Valley Way and a whistle-stop tour of Rotherham Council’s new Rother Valley Caravan Site with park staff. Join RMBC staff along part of the new Rother Valley Way linking the country park to Waverley on this short easy walk around Rother Valley Park, briefly visiting the new caravan site with park staff for a quick tour of the facilities.
Distance: 3 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Rother Valley Country Park Visitor Centre, Mansfield Road, Wales Bar, S26 5PQ
Grid reference: SK 454827
Starting time: 1.30 p.m.
Finishing time: 3.00 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
To book this walk, click here.

Having been warned by the Canal & River Trust that water levels above Shireoaks are likely to stop boat movements, the previously advertised short trip has been cut and the price lowered, but there will still be a hour’s cruise.
We will use tracks, field paths and the towpath to discover the site of the former Oneslide Cut, an old hall with its own ornamental canal and a local quarry which is now a nature reserve, before returning via a long disused canal for a cruise on Hugh Henshall.
Distance: 3 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Adjacent to Shireoaks Marina on Marina Drive, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 557809
Starting time: 9.15 a.m.
Finishing time: 1.30 p.m.
Circular walk, including 1 hour on the boat
£8 per person
Walk led by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

We will go for a for a circular walk along the Woodlands Trail which includes extensive views arriving back at Shireoaks Marina to see Dawn Rose. This is an exact replica of the old working boats on the canal. It was hand built by volunteers using traditional methods of the 1920s. After having our sandwiches, we will walk along the canal to the top of the Giant’s Staircase passing 24 locks in just over a mile of beautiful countryside. You can then either continue along the canal for two miles and get a train back from Kiveton Park Station or walk back along the canal.
Distance: 5 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Adjacent to Shireoaks Marina on Marina Drive, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 557809
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.30 p.m.
Circular walks, return by train possible p.m.
Free of charge
Walk led by Friends of Dawn Rose
To book this walk, click here.

Please note that if you book this walk you must also do Stages 1 and 3 on Tuesday and Thursday.
This includes the delightful Giant’s Staircase of 22 locks in just over a mile.
Distance: 16 miles
Grading: Strenuous
Starting point: Dog Kennel Bridge, next to Kiveton Park Station, Red Hill, S26 6PB
Grid reference: SK 507824
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing point: Retford Town Lock, behind Retford Little Theatre, Wharf Lane, DN22 6EN
Grid reference: SK 705807
Finishing time: 5.00 p.m.
Linear walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Hazel Brand and David Seymour
To book this walk, click here.

Having been warned by the Canal & River Trust that water levels above Shireoaks are likely to stop boat movements, the previously advertised short trip has been cut and the price lowered, but there will still be a hour’s cruise.
After a cruise on Hugh Henshall, we will use tracks, field paths and the towpath to discover a long disused canal that served a local quarry which is now a nature reserve. We will go on to an old hall with its own ornamental canal, before visiting the site of the former Oneslide Cut and returning via the canal towpath.
Distance: 3 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: On the canal just outside Shireoaks Marina, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 556809
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.45 p.m.
Circular walk, including 1 hour on the boat
£8 per person
Walk led by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

We shall look in detail at a section of canal being restored by the Trust’s Work Party and continue to explore the route as far as the outskirts of Killamarsh. The walk includes towpath, Trans-Pennine Trail, a river flood bank and the Brindley Loops – an attractive length of original canal abandoned in the 1890s.
Distance: 6 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: The public car park just south of the Sitwell Arms Hotel, Main Road, Renishaw, S21 3WF
Grid reference: SK 444781
Starting time 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.00 p.m.
Circular walk, several stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

Board the boat and cruise through two locks to the Hartington Harbour where you will see the restoration work done by our volunteers. Here you disembark for a lovely stroll back to Hollingwood Hub. Watch for wildlife and enjoy the canal from the water and towpath.
Distance: 1½ miles
Grading: Gentle
Starting point: Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, S43 2PF
Grid reference: SK 415746
Starting time: 11.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 1.00 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 18 above, but walking first and returning on the boat.
To book this walk, click here.

Cut off in the late 1800s by the creation of the new railways, the remnants of the original Chesterfield Canal are often left unnoticed. On this walk, we follow long forgotten sections of Chesterfield’s canals and railways, stopping at industrial heritage sites along the way and learning about the industrial history of the local area.
This walk is relatively flat, but the path can be narrow. There is one stile.
Distance: 2½ miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: The public car park just south of the Sitwell Arms Hotel, Main Road, Renishaw, S21 3WF
Grid reference: SK 444781
Starting time: 1.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 2.30 p.m.
Circular walk, several stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Don Catchment Rivers Trust
To book this walk, click here.

Board the boat and cruise through two locks to the Bluebank Pools Local Nature Reserve. Here you disembark for a lovely stroll back to Hollingwood Hub. Watch for wildlife and enjoy the canal from the water and towpath.
Distance: 1½ miles
Grading: Gentle
Starting point: Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, S43 2PF
Grid reference: SK 415746
Starting time: 2.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 4.00 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 21 above, but walking first and returning on the boat.
To book this walk, click here.

Please note that if you book this walk you must also do Stages 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This includes Clayworth, Drakeholes Tunnel, some remote areas near Gringley and Misterton.
Distance: 15 miles
Starting point: Retford Town Lock, behind Retford Little Theatre, Wharf Lane, DN22 6EN
Grid reference: SK 705807
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing point: West Stockwith Basin, Canal Lane, DN10 4ET
Grid reference: SK 785945
Finishing time: 5.00 p.m.
Linear walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Hazel Brand and David Seymour
To book this walk, click here.

We will learn about the wide variety of goods carried on the canal by visiting some of the places where they were created. Our walk will take us along the canal to Chesterfield Station before going past Hady Wood, Calow, Arkwright Town, Westwood and Ringwood Park with Katey’s Coffee Shop to welcome us at the end.
Distance: 9½ miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, S43 2PF
Grid reference: SK 415746
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.30 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Ramblers
To book this walk, click here.

We will follow the canal into Shireoaks where we will follow footpaths passing Shireoaks Old Hall returning to Turnerwood Locks. The walk will continue following footpaths to Lindrick Dale retracing our steps back to the canal and the Lock Keeper.
Distance: 7 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: The Lock Keeper pub, Sandy Lane, Worksop, S80 1TJ
Grid reference: SK 572797
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.00 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Worksop Ramblers
To book this walk, click here.

Board the boat and cruise to Osberton going through Osberton Lock and seeing the Osberton Estate. Here you disembark for a lovely stroll back to Ranby. Watch for wildlife and enjoy the canal from the water and towpath.
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Chequers Inn, Blyth Road, Ranby, Retford, DN22 8HT
Grid reference: SK 650809
Starting time: 2.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 4.00 p.m.
Circular cruise/walk, no stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 26 above, but walking first and returning on the boat.
To book this walk, click here.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this walk because the Canal & River Trust has told us that there is unlikely to be enough water in the canal because of works at Harthill reservoir.
We will walk up the towpath from Shireoaks to Turnerwood and then follow the canal’s feeder channel along Anston Brook to South Anston. Returning to the canal at Thorpe Bridge, we will go down the towpath to Turnerwood to board the boat for a cruise back through seven locks to Shireoaks.
Distance: 7 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: Shireoaks Marina, Marina Drive, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 557809
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 2.30 p.m.
Circular walk/cruise, some stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust

Round walk along towpath, country lanes and footpaths with panoramic countryside views. See historic canal engineering, the remnants of the Lady Lee canal arm, pass the Shire Oak, near where Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire meet, and Netherthorpe airfield. Walk through Lindrick Dale and part of the beautiful Chesterfield Canal. We might stop for an ice cream or coffee at Turnerwood – a picture-perfect hamlet on the canal.
Distance: 11 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: The Lock Keeper pub, Sandy Lane, Worksop, S80 1TJ
Grid reference: SK 572797
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 3.30 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles and short steep hills
Free of charge
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this walk because the Canal & River Trust has told us that there is unlikely to be enough water in the canal because of works at Harthill reservoir.
We will cruise through seven locks up to Turnerwood where we will alight and follow the canal’s feeder channel along Anston Brook to South Anston. We will then return to the canal at Thorpe Bridge and walk down the towpath to Shireoaks.
Distance: 7 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: On the canal just outside Shireoaks Marina, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 556809
Starting time: 11.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 3.30 p.m.
Circular cruise/walk, some stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust

Board the boat and cruise through two locks to the Bluebank Pools Local Nature Reserve. Here you disembark for a lovely stroll back to the Visitor Centre. Watch for wildlife and enjoy the canal from the water and towpath.
There is space for two wheelchairs on the boat and the towpath is wheelchair friendly.
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, S41 7JB
Grid reference: SK 387729
Starting time: 2.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 4.00 p.m.
Circular cruise/walk, no stiles
£8 per person
Walk led by Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 31 above, but walking first and returning on the boat.
To book this walk, click here.

Join us on a leisurely walk from the Hub at Chesterfield FC’s Technique Stadium onto the canal towpath at Tapton Lock. After a stroll along the canal, we’ll return to the Hub for refreshments and a chance to hear about the ongoing walking groups to help improve Health and Wellbeing. We can also have a stadium tour.
Distance: 2½ miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: The Hub, Technique Stadium, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 8NZ
Grid reference: SK 383730
Starting time: 2.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 3.00 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
Free
Walk led by Chesterfield FC Community Trust
To book this walk, click here.

Along one of the most scenic stretches of the canal following public footpaths and the towpath to Turnerwood, then south to Netherthorpe Airfield – please keep your heads down! Across open fields to Harthill. Climb the landscaped colliery waste heap at Kiveton to the viewpoint. Finishing along the Cuckoo Way to Kiveton Park for return trains and maybe a pub!
Distance: 9 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: Shireoaks Station, Shireoaks, S81 8LW
Grid reference: SK 554812
Starting time: 10.10 a.m.
Finishing point: Kiveton Park Station, Kiveton Park, S26 6PB
Grid Reference: SK 507824
Finishing time: 2.40 p.m.
Linear walk
Free of charge, but train fare needed
Walk led by Penistone Line Partnership
To book this walk, click here.

Taking in the history of the Chesterfield canal’s connection to the River Trent, the historic village of West Stockwith and the River Idle, and seeing the 19th century former steam powered soss drain pumping station – a listed building.
Distance: 4 miles
Grading: Moderate
Starting point: Car park, Red Hart pub, 2 Church Street, Misterton, DN10 4AH
Grid reference: SK 764948
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 12.15 p.m.
Circular walk, some stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Retford U3A
To book this walk, click here.

A stroll through the pit village of Shireoaks taking in the heritage, wildlife and current day recreational facilities. Starting at Shireoaks Marina, we will go through the village explaining the history of the village hall and church then go to see the Shireoaks Hall and the Hewitt Arms before going up through the Pit row to the old signal box then go into Woodlands to see the work being done on the wildlife habitat. Going round the 33 hectare Woodlands reclamation site there will be ample opportunity to view the wildlife and see the work that has been done to create Nottinghamshire’s Coronation Meadow.
Distance: 3 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Adjacent to Shireoaks Marina on Marina Drive, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 557809
Starting time: 10.30 a.m.
Finishing time: 12.30 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Friends of Woodlands & Coachwood Green and the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.

We will take in the magnificent Market Square with its range of Georgian buildings, Cannon Square, local Churches and other historic buildings before passing through the award-winning Kings’ Park for a meander along the Chesterfield Canal which then crosses over the River Idle!
Distance: 2 miles
Grading: Gentle
Starting point: Bay Tree Restaurant car park, 86 Carolgate, Retford, DN22 6AS
Grid reference: SK 706807
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 11.30 a.m.
Circular walk, no stiles but some steps
Free of charge
Walk led by Retford Civic Society
To book this walk, click here.

We follow the canal to Staveley Town Basin. Then we pick up the Arkwright Trail before turning off to Poolsbrook Country Park. Here we take a coffee break using the café and toilet facilities. We turn off the trail to walk past Staveley Church picking up a path down to the canal via Constitution Hill bridge to return to Hollingwood Hub.
Distance: 7 miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, S43 2PF
Grid reference: SK 415746
Starting time: 10.00 a.m.
Finishing time: 1.15 p.m.
Circular walk, no stiles
Free of charge
Walk led by Dronfield Footpaths and Bridleways
To book this walk, click here.

As Walk 37 above, but starting at 2.00 p.m. and finishing at 3.30 p.m.
To book this walk, click here.

We shall use a very attractive length of towpath and field paths, go past a historic hall and call at the much-photographed hamlet of Turnerwood, where there may be an opportunity to buy a drink or ice cream at the popular, tiny, refreshment point. Crossing the railway line (2 stiles) we shall then follow part of the feeder supplying water to fill the canal and go past Brancliffe Grange, once an outpost used by monks from Roche Abbey. We shall then rejoin the towpath back to the marina.
Distance: 3½ miles
Grading: Easy
Starting point: Adjacent to Shireoaks Marina on Marina Drive, Shireoaks, S81 8NQ
Grid reference: SK 557809
Starting time: 2.00 p.m.
Finishing time: 4.00 p.m.
Circular walk
Free of charge
Walk led by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
To book this walk, click here.