Chesterfield Museum
Type:Museum
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S41 7TD
About
COVID-19 - Although the Museum is currently closed the team have been working hard behind the scenes. Take a look at the Chesterfield Museum website to find out things to do at home, past exhibitions, highlights from the collection and lots more.
The Museum tells the Story of Chesterfield, from its beginnings as a Roman fort on Ryknield Street to the building of the ‘Crooked Spire’ Church and its growth as a market town. The Museum also reflects the town’s important industrial heritage, tracing the development of coal mining and local industries. Chesterfield’s most famous Victorian resident, George Stephenson, the ‘Father of the Railways’ is also featured.
There are ‘Discovery Spots’ around the Museum with hands on activities from weighing fruit at a shop counter from the early 20th Century, trying on a coal miner’s helmet, having a go at using a mangle and creating rubbings of old coins.
Children can follow a trail around the Museum and make discoveries of their own, then add pictures to the Your Gallery display.
The Museum has a changing programme of major temporary exhibitions with related hands on activities, and a full events programme including living history, crafts, behind the scenes tours and lots more. Scroll down the page for the latest selection of events.
The First Floor Gallery houses a range of exhibitions and around once a year it features the work of Joseph Syddall from Old Whittington, once described as 'the best draughtsman in England'. Syddall was asked to illustrate Thomas Hardy's novel 'Tess of the D'Urbevilles' when it appeared in the Graphic Magazine.
The Museum is accessible to all – scroll down the page to see our full Accessibility Guide.
Coach and school parties accepted by prior arrangement. For more information and to book your visit, choose group visits or school visits.
Guide Prices
Admission free
Please make a donation if you can
Awards
- Other Awards
Self-assessed Accessibility Information 2020
- Visit England
VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access - Scroll down the page for our full Accessibility Guide
- Disabled toilets
- Wheelchairs available
Children
- Baby changing facilities
- Children welcome
Parking
- Parking with charge - Nearest parking at St Mary's Gate Car Park
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
- Gift shop
- Public toilets
- Smoking not allowed
Site Features
- Welcome Host
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
- Coach parties accepted
Opening Times
* Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak the Museum is closed until further notice.
You can find out more about the Museum, our collection and the history of Chesterfield via our website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/museum
TripAdvisor

- Excellent68
- Very Good39
- Average8
- Poor2
- Terrible0
Map & Directions
Road Directions
The Museum is in Chesterfield town centre. It has no car park so directions below are to nearest car park.
From North/South Leave M1 at junction 29 and follow A617 to Chesterfield (approx 4 miles). At traffic light controlled roundabout select middle lane and take 3rd exit. At next roundabout select right lane and take 2nd exit (Lordsmill Street). Keep in right hand lane and at traffic lights turn right (Spa Lane). Take first left and left again into St Mary’s Gate Car Park.
From East Follow A617 to junction with M1 motorway, 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. At next roundabout select left lane and take 1st exit (Lordsmill Street), Move into right hand lane and at traffic lights turn right (Spa Lane). Take first left and left again into St Mary's Gate Car Park.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest train station Chesterfield, 5 minutes walk away
Any bus to Chesterfield town centre