Visiting

New Heritage Arts Trail will unlock Chesterfield’s past

Grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help create a new heritage arts trail across Chesterfield town centre – to allow residents and visitors connect with the town’s history.

‘A Sense of Chesterfield’ has been awarded almost £80,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players. With additional funding from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Animate Chesterfield programme a tactile heritage trail will be created with new heritage information boards, digital content, and public artworks.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield has a rich history, and this project will help bring that to life for both visitors and residents. Thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for supporting this project because it will help draw visitors in and create new things to see in our town. I look forward to working with a wide range of partners to develop this project and ensure that we can tell the story of Chesterfield in a fun and engaging way.”

There are several organisations that will work together to develop this project, including community groups like the Chesterfield Civic Society, Chesterfield and District Local History Society, Chesterfield Canal Trust and Derbyshire Victoria County History.

Howard Borrell, Chair of Chesterfield and District Civic Society, said: “I am very pleased that funding has been obtained by Beam to develop ‘A sense of Chesterfield’ that will see the creation of a tactile heritage trail with linked information boards, digital content and artwork. It will be great to see work to develop the Chesterfield story get underway. The town has a great history – it just needs conveying innovatively in ways that will connect with both visitors and locals alike.”

Members of the community will also be able to help shape the trail through a series of workshops and visits to schools and community organisations.

The tactile trail will include the creation of new artworks, funded through the Animate Chesterfield programme, to help enhance the trail and make it more fun and engaging for a wider audience.

Animate Chesterfield is a public art programme which will create new artworks and activities for visitors throughout the regeneration programmes happening in both Chesterfield and Staveley.

It is organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Beam, a leading cultural development organisation.

Funding for the public art project was secured through planning agreements as part of the council’s percent for art scheme, which was part of the previous Local Plan (and now continues on a voluntary basis), and the funding must be used for the delivery of public art.

To find out more about Animate Chesterfield, visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/animate

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

Let’s make the most of Chesterfield’s summer

Destination Chesterfield board member, Ann Fomukong-Boden shares her excitement for a packed summer of events in Chesterfield.

Nothing beats spending time in the sunshine with loved ones. As someone with a young family, I cherish summer because it brings more opportunities for quality time together and the warmer weather certainly helps.

This year, we’re asking local people to share their ideas for an ideal weekend in Chesterfield, so I attempted to write down mine here. In the end, that many ideas came to mind that I mapped out a whole summer of weekends for our readers to enjoy.

I recommend kicking off the season at the Rail Ale Festival, where Chesterfield’s rich heritage meets fantastic food & drink, alongside plenty of live entertainment. The festival buzzes with energy—old locomotives as a backdrop, friends catching up, and hundreds of ales, ciders and spirits to sample. Each beer tells a story, though I’d recommend pacing yourself.

For those drawn to colour and celebration, Chesterfield Pride delivers. Visualise a sea of rainbows, people dancing, music pumping, and joy radiating from every corner. A decade on from its first outing, this event still brings an unmatched vibrancy.

A stroll through Hardwick Hall’s gardens proved a wonderfully wholesome day out with my little one recently. This summer, take a picnic and settle in for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream or the hilarious The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I. Watching live performances as the sun sets over the stately home? Truly magical.

For cricket lovers, the BRM Festival of Cricket at Queen’s Park stands out. We’ve attended the last two years and have already got tickets for Derbyshire vs. Yorkshire. The crack of the bat, the cheering crowd, and the ball being smashed for six creates a highly entertaining afternoon. I’d advise whispering it, but our record against Yorkshire here in Chesterfield has been pretty good lately!

Queen’s Park also hosts the Chesterfield Children’s Festival – an event I proudly support as a Junction Arts trustee. Each year, the dedicated team crafts an inspiring space filled with hands-on workshops and live performances. Seeing little ones sing, dance, and create memories around the bandstand is such a joyful sight for any parent.

Back into town, and ThinkFest marks its fifth year of encouraging open conversations about mental health. This uplifting event blends live music, community spirit, and valuable support services. Make a day of it—enjoy performances under the big screen, then stop by your favourite café for cake and a drink.

With so much happening, let’s make the most of Chesterfield’s summer—it always flies by too fast! Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Half term, Home, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

Historic Chesterfield pub set for grand reopening

A prominent Chesterfield town centre pub is set to welcome customers back this weekend, following a change of ownership and refurbishment.

The Spread Eagle is set to reopen this Friday, offering customers a first look at the revamped venue, which promises a welcoming and homely atmosphere.

The pub on Beetwell Street will boast traditional pub food, Sunday roasts and a broad drinks selection, with a cosy interior and a modern outdoor terrace for taking in the sunshine on a summer evening.

Chef and entrepreneur, Matthew Rushton has masterminded the project to bring The Spread Eagle back to life, following more than a decade of success as owner of The Galleon Steakhouse on St. Mary’s Gate.

Both The Galleon Steakhouse and The Spread Eagle will also be home to luxury rooms for residential stays.

Matthew explained how Chesterfield’s local business community has helped in the renovation of the pub: “Throughout my years of running businesses in Chesterfield, I’ve gained a fantastic network of local contacts, who have helped to get the pub back to where we wanted it to be.

“During my time running The Galleon, I’ve met plenty of plumbers, tilers, painters and decorators who are passionate about creating great venues in our town. I’d like to think those same people will return as customers to The Galleon and The Spread Eagle in the future!

“It’s important to support local. If you buy from a massive chain, the money isn’t going to come back – but if you keep things local and businesses in the area use each other, it benefits us all.”

Speaking on what people can expect at The Spread Eagle, Matthew continued: “This will have a true British pub feel with a modern twist on classic dishes. We’ve got a lovely outside area that is a bit of a sun trap, too. I love the history of this place. The alley, which runs down the side of the pub, features the old historic cobbles, which are absolutely stunning.

“I’m from Chesterfield and I think it is important that the town continues to receive investment. That includes support from local people. It’s vital we use our local pubs, bars and restaurants to keep them going and ensure the town grows as a place to visit.”

“We’ve already got a fantastic base of customers. Plus, between our two venues, we now have ten rooms in the centre of town, which we hope will bring more visitors to stay in the area and explore what we have to offer. The rooms are modern, and we’ve tried to make them feel like a home from home!”

Find out more about The Spread Eagle on Facebook.

Explore Chesterfield’s fabulous food and drink scene by checking out our 50 food and drink businesses to try in the local area. 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

The Chesterfield Children’s Festival returns for third year

The much-loved Chesterfield Children’s Festival is back for its third year, promising another unforgettable weekend of fun, creativity, and imagination.

The free event, organised by Junction Arts and funded by Arts Council England, will take place in Queen’s Park on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July, from 10am to 4pm each day.

Launched in 2023, the festival has quickly become a highlight of the summer holidays, welcoming over 12,000 families and engaging more than 8,000 children in a vibrant mix of live performances, workshops, and hands-on activities. This year, the festival promises even more excitement, with new acts and returning favourites for audiences of all ages.

One of this year’s highlights is ‘Story Chefs’ by Derby-based theatre company, Maison Foo. This immersive performance invites families on a magical, globe-trotting adventure where stories are brought to life through puppetry, music, and theatre.

Back by popular demand is Everybody Dance, a mass dance-a-long created by students from Spire Junior School in collaboration with professional dancers. Festivalgoers of all ages and abilities are invited to learn the moves and join in the fun.

Live music will also be featured throughout the weekend, with performances curated by The Noise Academy, an organisation that works with young people to unlock creativity and build confidence through music tech. Young performers will soundtrack the event and show off their DJing skills – they’ll also be beat-boxing workshops for anyone who wants to have a go.

There will be plenty more to enjoy too, including face painting, art workshops, circus skills and more—all completely free, with no booking required.

To ensure the festival is accessible to all, Junction Arts has partnered with RevoLOOtion, a mobile service providing accessible toilets and changing facilities. This service allows disabled children and adults to participate fully, comfortably, and with dignity.

Jemma Burton, Project Manager at Junction Arts, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing the Chesterfield Children’s Festival back for a third year, with more exciting activities and entertainment for local families. Each year, we aim to introduce something new that sparks creativity and joy, while keeping the favourites that our community loves. We’re especially excited about the return of ‘Everybody Dance’ – it’s going to be bigger and better this year!”

The full festival line-up will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest updates, visit www.junctionarts.org or follow @junctionartsuk on social media.

Looking to make the most of your summer? Find out about some of the great activities and events taking place at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer/

Junction Arts supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 230 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield FC’s John Croot named League Two CEO of the Year

The CEO of Chesterfield Football Club has been named League Two CEO of the Year in the Football Business Awards.

The vote was made by senior contacts from other clubs in the English Football League.

John’s involvement with Chesterfield Football Club goes back several decades, having started as a programme seller. He was a key leadership figure of the supporters’ society that saved the club from being expelled from the league during a difficult period back in 2001.

After supporting the club in a number of roles throughout the years, John was named the club’s CEO following the Community Trust takeover of the club in 2020.

Since then, the club has seen a dramatic increase in attendances on matchdays, and a promotion back to the English Football League last year.

Now under the ownership of brothers Phil and Ashley Kirk, the Spireites are poised to continue pushing up the divisions on the pitch, as well as continuing to grow the club’s engagement with the local community off the pitch.

John was also heavily involved in the creation of walking football, a sport which is now played globally. A blue plaque was recently unveiled at the SMH Group Stadium to officially recognise the town as the sport’s birthplace.

By winning the award, John has been put forward as a nominee for the EFL CEO of the Year, which will be announced on May 9.

John commented: “I am delighted to have received the award. While it is pleasing personally to be acknowledged by your peers, it is great to see that the hard work being done by everyone at the club and the Community Trust is recognised by people in the game.”

Chesterfield Football Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 230 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

(Featured image by Tina Jenner)
Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield’s oldest pub to reopen this Easter weekend

The couple who have taken ownership of Chesterfield’s oldest pub say they’re ‘beyond delighted’ to be opening its doors once again this weekend.

Ye Royal Oak, based in The Shambles, right in the heart of the town, has undergone a major transformation – with bright décor, a refurbished bar, and even a suit of armour on display.

The pub, which is estimated to date back to the 17th century, has been closed for several years. But thanks to the vision of former teachers Meg Hartman and Patrick Hopkins, customers will be welcomed back to Ye Royal Oak from this Friday (18th April).

Visitors will be treated to more than a dozen keg and cask ales, Devon cider, Highland whisky and more. For those feeling peckish, the pub will be serving Pieminister pies too.

Speaking on the restoration, Meg said: “We wanted to restore the building back to its former glory. After sitting closed for four years, it just felt a bit sad. It’s not just any pub—it’s the town’s pub, so we really wanted to do right by it.”

“We stripped everything back. Underneath all the layers of previous decoration was this beautiful wood. We embraced the history, kept it simple, and let the old beams and Tudor features do the talking.”

“It’s been our lifelong dream to buy a suit of armour— so we finally made that happen.”

Ornamental suit of armour inside historic pub

Patrick added that the process of renovating the venue was an eye-opening experience: “We started by peeling back layers of wallpaper, layers of history. Some of it was horrendous, some of it was quite cool.”

“For the first three months, we were teaching during the day, then coming here every night. We even used half-term to work on it. It’s been full-on, but we feel it’s been worth it.

“This has been about giving something back. This pub has been part of the town’s history for so long, and now it’s our job to look after it.”

The work done by Meg and Patrick has been commended by Shaun Stevenson, creator of the Chesterfield Great Historic Pub Tour events. Shaun said: “What Meg and Patrick have achieved here is remarkable.

“This little historic pub has had a proper restoration. It’s like it’s had a heart adjustment—a full set of new valves. It’s beating again, right at the centre of the town. It’s something to be commended and supported.”

“You can see the revival happening across Chesterfield. Places like The Bank, The Spread Eagle, and this pub are reopening, there’s a real transformation underway.

“This isn’t just another pub—it’s part of Chesterfield’s living history. Anyone who visits will see that, and I’m certain they’ll come back.”

Find out more about Ye Royal Oak on Facebook, and discover more about the town’s Great Historic and Haunted Pub Tours here.

Discover 50 great places to eat and drink in Chesterfield here.

Exterior of historic pub in the centre of Chesterfield with tudor features

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Easter, Featured, Half term, Home, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

North Derbyshire gastro pub reopens after undergoing transformation

An award-winning gastro pub near Chesterfield has reopened its doors to customers after undergoing a major refurbishment.

The Tickled Trout has been transformed with a vibrant new dining space featuring the works of a local artist.

The reopening was announced just a couple of weeks after the restaurant’s Owner and Head Chef appeared on ITV 1 show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning.

Chris Mapp, who also currently holds the title of ‘best pub restaurant chef’ in the UK, said: “After 11 years of successfully owning the Tickled Trout it was time to revitalise and launch TT 2.0!  The refurb is stunning, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.  The restaurant has been transformed with beautiful design finishes, the lounge balances comfort and style and showcases a wonderful local artist who lives just round the corner.

It’s been an incredible week, staring alongside James Martin was brilliant, the dish i cooked for him received much praise – I can reassure those visiting the tickled Trout the delicious spiced scotch egg will be on the menu!

We reopen with a wonderful team who are full of energy and enthusiasm, and our passion for producing high quality dishes using local seasonal ingredients is as strong as ever.”

The Tickled Trout pub is proudly independent, owned by Chris Mapp and is nestled in the idyllic Derbyshire village of Barlow, easily accessible from Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Priding itself on serving great pub food alongside innovative specials using the highest quality artisan ingredients available, the multiple award-winning gastro pub serves both fine wine and great local ales and combines a relaxing atmosphere with outstanding customer service.

The team welcomes families and has a private dining room for special occasions and corporate meetings. Find out more on The Tickled Trout’s website or on the venue’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Discover 50 fantastic businesses making up Chesterfield’s vibrant food and drink scene at here.

The Tickled Trout supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 230 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Guests in TV studio kitchen smiling to camera

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Stay, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

‘We must continue celebrating and supporting our cultural assets’

Destination Chestefield Board Member, Ann Fomukong-Boden shares her views on the importance of art for Chesterfield’s communities and regeneration

Do you remember the sculpture being built at Horns Bridge Roundabout? ‘Growth’ has now stood proudly for over a decade, and has become another iconic landmark for our town, complemented by our historic Crooked Spire, which sits beside it on the skyline.

But at the time it was revealed, ‘Growth’ ignited debate. Everyone had an opinion about it. Love it or not, it certainly highlights how the arts shape our community and identity.

To me, the arts make our town unique and vibrant, drawing residents and visitors. I wanted, this month, to highlight some of the initiatives that keep Chesterfield’s creative spirit alive.

Have you experienced the Chesterfield Children’s Festival produced by local charity Junction Arts? Each year, it fills Queen’s Park with music, theatre, dance, and storytelling, immersing families in creativity and creating memories for parents and their little ones.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield Studios’ Rose Theatre undergoes an exciting extension into the adjacent historic Rose Hill Church, providing more space for its 400 students. Could the next West End star come from Chesterfield? Of course they can!

Art connects us to our history and instils pride. While Chesterfield Museum undergoes refurbishment, its ‘Museum on the Move’ initiative brings exhibits directly to communities. The reopening of the museum and theatre in 2026 will offer even more cultural inspiration.

Looking ahead, Derbyshire Makes will celebrate creativity in craft, design, and manufacturing over three years. The first event in March showcased innovative, local makers and traditional crafts.

Beyond its economic and historical value, art can bring people together. It unites communities, encouraging us to learn from one another.

My SocialFuse Festival continues to champion Chesterfield’s incredible purpose-driven and community organisations. Furthermore, West Studios, in partnership with Chesterfield College, has nurtured artistic talent for a decade, cultivating a collaborative hub for designers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Finally, art enhances our wellbeing. It gets us outside, encourages us to slow down, and allows us to appreciate our surroundings.

The ongoing public art project, Animate Chesterfield creates lasting cultural landmarks. Local artist Lucie Maycock was appointed last year to deliver workshops in the town centre.

Lucie collected stories and memories from members of the community and her new artworks will share and celebrate these stories. By the time you read this, some of the works will have been revealed to the public, and I can’t wait to see how they will add further vibrancy to the town.

Art is everywhere in Chesterfield and its impact is undeniable. But to keep our creative heartbeat strong, we must continue celebrating and supporting our cultural assets.

Immerse yourself in our local culture and keep up with what’s happening across Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Destination Chesterfield Board Member and Director, Kakou.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield gastropub owner to appear on ITV show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning

A Chesterfield gastropub owner is set to showcase a taste of Derbyshire to the nation this weekend, as he appears alongside James Martin on his Saturday morning cookery show.

Chris Mapp, owner of The Tickled Trout in Barlow, will be cooking for fellow guests on the ITV show in this weekend’s episode (Saturday 5th April).

The Tickled Trout prides itself on creating delicious dishes using locally sourced produce. In 2024, the venue received an AA rosette and was awarded Best Pub Restaurant Chef in the UK, at the Craft Guild Of Chefs Awards ceremony.

Speaking on his TV appearance, Chris said: “I know James and have done demos with him presenting, but to be on the show was surreal, it was so exciting. I must say that the whole crew and James himself were just fantastic and friendly, so they helped calm the nerves a lot. I also travelled down with Alysia, the Yorkshire Forager, she is a close mate of mine, and that was a huge relief she was there to help me through it.”

To get viewers’ taste buds tingling, Chris prepared one of his signature dishes on the show: “I did our already-famous spiced cod scotch egg with curry mayonnaise, my homage to Cornwall when I was there with Paul Ainsworth. James is such a brilliant professional, it’s very easy being with him, he makes it go extremely smoothly. There’s always room for a chuckle as well during filming!”

Chris believes the show will help to put Barlow and Chesterfield on the map as a place to enjoy quality cuisine, adding: “The show has over 1.5m live viewers, plus those watching on catch-up, which is huge. I am sure it will put Barlow and Chesterfield on the map and I am hoping it helps the pub as well. I can envisage already that the lads in the kitchen are going to be making hundreds of scotch eggs!”

The Tickled Trout is currently under refurbishment, but is set to reopen with an exciting new look this April. Keep up to date on the pub’s social media channels.

Find out more about The Tickled Trout here, or visit the restaurant’s website: https://www.tickledtroutbarlow.com/

Looking for more great places to eat and drink in the Chesterfield area? Check out our list of 50 top places to try in our town.

The Tickled Trout supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chris Mapp on James Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Derbyshire County Cricket Club records surplus for 2024

Derbyshire County Cricket Club has recorded its eleventh surplus in twelve years for the year ending 31 December 2024.

As a result of careful financial management amid the pressure of increased operating costs, the Club can post a pre-tax profit of £11k, while investing a record amount in its cricket budget and continuing to develop spectator facilities at The County Ground.

Chair, Ian Morgan OBE, said: “Amid testing financial times for all, in which costs are only going up, it is with great pride that we can announce a small surplus and a testament to the hard work of everyone associated with the Club.

“To be debt-free and able to safeguard our future in the current climate is a healthy position to be in, however we must continue work hard off-field to ensure we can compete out in the middle. It is becoming increasingly difficult to challenge financially with the larger counties, but we remain committed to investing in our playing budget to give Mickey Arthur and his squad the best chance of success, while maintaining our secure financial position which is highly regarded across the game.”

In 2024, the Club saw sold-out Vitality Blast matches against local rivals Notts Outlaws and Yorkshire, while group ticket sales more than doubled compared to 2023 and the T20 showpiece event at Edgbaston, returning on 14 June this year as Midlands Mania, also proved to be an important revenue-generator.

The Club’s Conference & Events arm of the business continued to grow last year, while The County Ground once again played host to a major music event with the visit of bestselling rap duo D-Block Europe.

Despite the loss of the Club’s Principal Partner on the eve of the season, Derbyshire continues to be well-backed by its sponsors and that revenue stream remains in achieving a year end surplus.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “This result is largely down to our off-field team who continue to drive revenue and efficiency across both cricket and non-cricket events while striving to maintain a high-quality customer experience.

“It continues to be a challenging economic time, but while the details are yet to be confirmed, the recent external investment which has come into the game represents an opportunity to realise our ambitions for our venue and in turn drive commercial growth and further investment on-field.

“Much of that work will come as part of our long-term ground masterplan, but over this winter, the off-field team have again been busy delivering further improvement which includes significant investment in the players’ changing rooms, LED lighting in the Ryley Wealth Elite Performance Centre, ground-wide Wi-Fi, as well as a new 900-seater stand adjacent to the Media Centre.

“On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the off-field team, I would like to thank our sponsors, Members and all visitors to both cricket and non-cricket events for their continued support.”

The Club’s Annual Report and Accounts were approved by Members at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 26 March at The County Ground. Derbyshire will be back in action at Queen’s Park later this year for the BRM Chesterfield Festival of Cricket. Find out more about the event at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/the-chesterfield-festival-of-cricket/

Derbyshire County Cricket Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

(Image credit: Jake Smith)
Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield Champions among the winners in regional tourism awards

Exceptional tourism businesses in Chesterfield and the Peak District took centre stage as the winners of the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards were revealed at a glittering awards ceremony.

The prestigious event was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre and brought together hundreds of guests including industry leaders, innovators and rising stars for a night of recognition and celebration during English Tourism Week (14-23 March).

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby – joined forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the first time, with the support of East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, welcomed guests by congratulating the outstanding achievements of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry and highlighting the sector’s vital £5.25bn of economic impact contribution to the East Midlands’ economy.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes OBE applauded the talent, passion and innovation of the shortlisted finalists, and recognised the collaborative efforts of Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby in driving growth and excellence across the region’s visitor economy.

The awards were hotly contested and finalists – including visitor attractions, experiences, pubs, restaurants and accommodation providers – progressed through shortlisting, mystery shopping and a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of experts to arrive at last night’s event.

In the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award category, Matlock Farm Park took the coveted gold award, while Peak Edge Hotel picked up the bronze accolade.

Peak Edge also won a silver award for Hotel of the Year, while Chatsworth’s Country Fair 2024 received gold for Festival and Event of the Year.

Hosted by Donna Alos, the awards ceremony featured a vibrant atmosphere and included a three-course meal produced by Nottingham Venues that showcased suppliers from across the East Midlands.

The awards were held in partnership with VisitEngland and Gold winners of the core categories will have the opportunity to progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.

For the full list of winners from the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Awards please visit: https://visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “The East Midlands’ Tourism Awards showcase the places and experiences that make life in the East Midlands so rich. We are a destination – and tonight’s participants show why. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the winners and nominees, and to celebrate their ingenuity and hard work.

“I am also delighted that we are doing this as a region, for the first time. Just as the East Midlands Combined County Authority creates space for us to come together around a common cause, so too do these awards. I am committed to making the East Midlands the best region in the country to live, work, and visit, and it is by working in partnership that we can best achieve that goal.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Bringing together the finalists of the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards and the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards under one roof has provided an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving excellence, delivering economic growth and elevating the quality of tourism across the East Midlands.

“Tourism is a major economic driver, and it is the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism sector that makes our region the world-class destination that it is – driving growth, creating jobs, and contributing billions to our economy.

“Huge congratulations to all the worthy winners as well as the shortlisted businesses and individuals!”

The 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards were sponsored by EV charging specialists VoltShare and Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, who designed and handcrafted luxury bespoke awards for all Gold winners.

The Awards Ceremony was jointly sponsored by Nottingham Venues and the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

If you’re planning a visit to the Peak District, be sure to experience Chesterfield during your stay.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Stay, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,