The Chesterfield Canal has been in print for a long time. We thought that you might be interested in this map of the route surveyed by John Varley, under instruction from James Brindley, in 1769. This was a proposed route, though it seems pretty close to the actual one.Two differences are the very short Norwood Tunnel going west of Hard Lane and an extra loop just north of Ranby - in the end there was a rock cutting here. Despite this, the proposed length is given as 44 miles and 6 furlongs, over a mile shorter than the supposed mileage with the mileposts in place.

The following article appeared in the Spring 2010 edition of The Roundhouse Newsletter, the magazine of the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society.

HISTORICAL CORNER

The Chesterfield Canal

Our little corner of North Derbyshire is rich in industrial archaeology. Anyone with a pleasant summer stroll in mind would appreciate a walk along the surviving sections of the Chesterfield Canal and it is convenient that there is an original section still “in water”, close by to us at Staveley. Here, during the summer months, the Chesterfield Canal Trust operates a passenger narrow boat named “John Varley”, which plies between Tapton Lock and Staveley. (Ring 01246 551035 for bookings.) Those that don’t have the time or energy to walk the complete length, can take advantage of the narrow boat for the journey and relax in comfort. There is also an interesting visitors’ centre at Tapton Lock, which is operated by Derbyshire County Council and is open every weekend. Hollingwood Lock House is currently being restored and extended and will open early next year as a community hub. A new basin is being built at Staveley. Along this five mile section, the tow path is fully accessible and is popular with dog walkers, hikers, cyclists and the occasional horse rider. The canal is directly accessible from both Shireoaks and Kiveton Park railway stations. Nothing exemplifies the dawn of the Industrial Age like an impressive flight of canal locks. There is an excellent example of these at Thorpe, which is close by to the Eastern portal of the Norwood tunnel. The flight comprises of no less than fifteen locks with two triple and two double staircases. They were the first locks to be built on the canal and are some of the oldest staircase locks in the country. The remote hamlet of Turnerwood and the disused limestone quarry of the same name are close by and both make a worthwhile visit in themselves.