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Tapton Lock Visitor Centre

Type:Information Centre

Lockoford Lane
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S41 7JB
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Call direct on:

Tel01629 533020

Tapton Lock Visitor Centre and John Varley Boat

About

Come and visit us at the only visitor centre on the Chesterfield Canal, a countryside oasis close to the centre of Chesterfield.

The Visitor Centre, its garden and facilities are fully accessible, and we have a ‘tramper’ mobility scooter to help you explore further. The towpath walk, the Cuckoo Way, is accessible from Tapton Lock to Staveley and is also a walking route from the Lock to Chesterfield.

We have a small shop with a selection of gifts, maps and books. We have a display about the canal and its history, and free self-guided walking, cycling and horse riding leaflets. We can also tell you about places to visit in the area.

Chesterfield Canal Trust volunteers run regular boat trips from the visitor centre on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays in the summer. Look out for the summer evening specials and the Santa boat trips in December.

The Canal is a great place for spotting all sorts of wildlife. Spring wildflowers, birds, occasionally king fishers and small mammals are all seen close to the Visitor. The Canal is also a haven for the endangered water vole.

The Bluebank Pools section of the canal is a local nature reserve and is one of the best places to look. Call in at the Centre and let us know what you’ve seen.

Scroll down the page for a leaflet about Tapton Lock Visitor Centre

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Facilities for visually impaired

Catering

  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Facilities for educational visits

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Tuesday10:00 - 13:00
13:45 - 16:00
Wednesday - ThursdayClosed
Friday10:00 - 13:00
13:45 - 16:00
Saturday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Limited parking on the road

From North/South Leave M1 motorway at junction 29 and take A617 to Chesterfield (approx 4 miles). At traffic light controlled roundabout select right hand lane and take 4th exit (A61, signposted Sheffield). At next roundabout (Tesco’s) select middle lane and take 3rd exit (brown sign for Tapton Lock).

From East Follow A617 to junction with M1 motorway and take 3rd exit (A617 signposted Chesterfield), then follow route from North/South.

From West Follow A619 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. Stay in left lane and, at roundabout, select middle lane and take 2nd exit (A632). Turn immediately left onto slip road to A61 (signposted Sheffield). At next roundabout (Tesco’s) select middle lane and take 3rd exit (brown sign for Tapton Lock).

Public Transport Directions

Nearest train station Chesterfield, 1½ miles away

Bus number 90 from Chesterfield town centre, two per hour

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