Revolution House
Type:Museum
Old Whittington
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S41 9JZ
About
It was the dark year 1688 when rumour and unrest muttered up and down the country and James II sat uneasily on the throne of England.
On bleak and windswept Whittington Moor stood an alehouse called the Cock and Pynot (a dialect word for magpie). Through the rain, three horsemen rode to this remote place, stepped inside and started plotting to overthrow the King.
These men were the Earl of Devonshire from nearby Chatsworth, the Earl of Danby, and John D’Arcy (son of the Earl of Holderness). Between them, they raised support in the North and Midlands, and planned to offer the Crown to James’ daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William.
William and Mary landed at Torbay in November 1688. The country rose in support and James fled to France. The Revolution was over, but the alehouse in the suburb of Whittington still stands, with its thatched roof and flower border, and its intriguing name – Revolution House.
Today, Revolution House has a display of 17th Century furniture and a video on the Revolution of 1688.
There is disabled access to ground floor only, scroll down the page to view our full Accessibility Guide.
Scroll down the page to see a video about the history of the House and its significance in the Revolution of 1688.
Guide Prices
Entry to the house is free.
Please make a donation if you can
Awards
- Other Awards
Self-assessed Accessibility Information
- Visit England
VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access - Wheelchair access to first floor. Scroll down the page to see our full Accessibility Guide.
Children
- Children welcome
Parking
- Free Parking - On street parking available
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
- Gift shop
- Smoking not allowed
Site Features
- Welcome Host
Target Markets
- Accepts groups - Maximum in party 10
Opening Times
Season (14 May 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
Season (11 June 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
Season (24 June 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Saturday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
Season (9 July 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
Season (13 Aug 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
Season (10 Sept 2023) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
* Revolution House is also open from 7 to 24 December 2023, Thursday to Sunday 11am to 3pm
TripAdvisor

- Excellent38
- Very Good20
- Average5
- Poor0
- Terrible0
Map & Directions
Road Directions
From North/South Leave M1 motorway at junction 29 and follow A617 to Chesterfield (approx 4 miles). At roundabout select right hand lane and take 4th exit (A61). At traffic light controlled roundabout (Tesco) take 2nd exit (A61). At next roundabout (J E James Cycles) select right hand lane and take 4th exit (B6025, signposted Eckington). Continue up hill for approx ½ mile and turn left onto Church Street North. Then turn right into High Street. Revolution House on left.
From East Follow A617 to M1 motorway junction, 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 roundabout select middle lane and take 2nd exit (A632). Turn immediately left into slip road to A61 (signposted Sheffield). At traffic light controlled roundabout (Tesco) take 2nd exit (A61), then follow route from North/South.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest train station Chesterfield, 3 miles away
Bus numbers 25, 25A, 50 and 50A from New Beetwell Street or Cavendish Street in Chesterfield town centre to the Bull's Head.
Follow us
Video
- Youtube Video
- Youtube Video