Green towns

Study ranks Chesterfield in the UK’s top 20 greenest towns

Chesterfield has been ranked amongst the 20 greenest towns in the UK, according to a recent study.

Our town took 15th spot on the list compiled by HolidayCars, which studied several criteria including sustainability practices, green spaces available, public transport options, local food production, air quality and pollution levels, and support for local businesses.

Speaking about Chesterfield’s green credentials, the study said: “Found on the edges of the Peak District, Chesterfield is another green area to live in the UK. In fact, in a 2024 study by Eurocell Chesterfield was ranked as the UK’s best town for access to green spaces, with 95% of homes and flats having private outdoor space, with an average size of 249.7m².

“Queen’s Park in Chesterfield has also been a recent recipient of a Green Flag Award, while a brand-new dedicated cycle route has been installed linking the nearby location of Staveley to Markham Vale Business Park, which has encouraged many office workers in the business centre to cycle to work rather than drive.

“Derbyshire County Council recently involved Chesterfield schools in climate action education as part of their curriculum, part of which involves a Climate Leaders Award to inspire children and staff alike.

“The air quality in Chesterfield is also generally considered to be good, and thanks to its close proximity to the Peak District, there are plenty of local escapes into the hills as well as cycling routes throughout the Peaks, helping locals exercise in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.”

Ryan Wilkes, Destination Chesterfield Board Member celebrated the news, commenting: “I’m proud to see Chesterfield listed as one of the UK’s greenest towns.

“Our town boasts a plethora of picturesque outdoor spaces for people to enjoy and of course sits alongside the world-famous Peak District National Park.

“Many of our organisations are also working to become greener and implement sustainability practices, with green growth across the East Midlands region three times higher than it was in 2015.

“Our central location and excellent public transport links also help to ensure Chesterfield offers an excellent quality of life for its residents.”

Find out more about living in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living/

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Study ranks Chesterfield as the best town in the UK for access to green spaces

A study has named Chesterfield as the best town in the UK for access to green spaces.

The Green Giants market research exercise, which was commissioned by home improvements company Eurocell has set out to discover which UK towns and cities have the best access to green space.

To do this, the study looked at several data points, including the number of homes in each town or city with a private garden, the average square footage of that garden, as well as the average distance to public green space and the percentage of homes on the market that are currently listed as having a private garden.

These figures were then given a score out of 10 and ranked, leading to a total score out of 40.

Eurocell placed Chesterfield in top spot with a score of 30.8 out of 40. It found that:

  • 95% of homes & flats in the town had private outdoor space.
  • The average size of private outdoor space was 249.7 sq. m.
  • The average distance to nearest park, public garden or playing field was 296.7 m.
  • 92.05% of homes currently on the market have a garden.

Speaking about our town’s listing at the top of the table, Eurocell said: “Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, comes out on top as being the best place to live in the UK when it comes to access to green space. Close to the Peak District, Chesterfield is surrounded by the woodland walks and diverse habitats of the national park.”

“And the town itself has numerous parks and gardens including Holmebrook Valley Country Park and Linacre Reservoir.”

See the full top 20 list here. 

People living and working in Chesterfield also commented on the availability of open spaces as one of the area’s key strengths.

Jade Chinn, Marketing Lead at Oasis Studio said: “I personally like taking advantage of all the beautiful country parks and estates we have to explore in and around Chesterfield, Linacre Reservoir and Holmebook being personal favourites. They are also great for team building days!”

Jason Evans, HSE Advisor and Principal Designer at Mascot Management Ltd. added: “I love to go walking along the Chesterfield Canal. It’s on our doorstep and I feel it is still a bit of a hidden gem for our area. It’s a lovely place where you can get some relaxation time and take in the wildlife and scenery.”

Peter Botham, Founder and Managing Director of Shed Grounds Maintenance said: “One of my cherished spots in Chesterfield is Queen’s Park. When I was a child, my godparents would take me on the charming little train track that winds its way around the park. Now, I’ve had the joy of passing on this tradition to my own children.”

Oasis Studio, Mascot Management and Shed Grounds Maintenance support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Family walking at Queen's Park, surrounded by wild flowers

Queen’s Park, Chesterfield town centre

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