Major city · United Kingdom
Chesterfield
One night is enough for the town: see the Crooked Spire, then use it as a cheap base for Hardwick Hall and the eastern Peak District.
Chesterfield is a compact market town in Derbyshire, 30 minutes by train from Sheffield. East Midlands Railway runs hourly from London St Pancras via Leicester and Derby, with a journey time of about 1 h 45 min. Its best-known landmark is the twisted spire of St Mary's Church; Hardwick Hall and the Peak District make useful excursions. Most visits need half a day or one night.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
- Airports
- EMA · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chesterfield999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chesterfield, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA safe small town by day and evening.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEMA East Midlands (Road and public-transport connections: check.).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee2026 estimate: check
- Sit-down mealPub main course2026 estimate: check
- BeerPint of beer2026 estimate: check
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Town-centre taxi rideCheck
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate: check
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EMA East Midlands (Road and public-transport connections: check.) · MAN Manchester (Road and rail connections: check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Sep (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chesterfield: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is compact and walkable. Buses serve nearby towns and Peak District destinations; a car is useful for reaching Hardwick Hall and the surrounding countryside. Check current bus routes and return times before setting out.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hardwick Hall
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car; public-transport time check.
By car from Chesterfield, or by bus toward Doe Lea followed by a taxi or walk; check current services.
National Trust mansion; ticket prices and opening times: check.
Matlock and the Peak District
goDoor to door: Check
Stagecoach X17 serves Matlock, Cromford and Wirksworth; check the current timetable or drive.
For Bakewell, check connections and the last return bus.
Derby
goDoor to door: Check
East Midlands Railway from Chesterfield; check the timetable.
Suitable for a half-day visit; journey time check.
Door to door: About 45 min
Northbound train from Chesterfield; about 30 min.
A straightforward city visit; check train times.
Buxton
cautionDoor to door: Check
Travel by train, bus or car; check routes and connections.
Allow time for the journey and check return services.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (around Market Place and the Crooked Spire)
Walk to the church, market, pubs and restaurants; the railway station is on the east side of town.
Railway station area
Convenient for a one-night rail stop with bags; check nearby evening dining options.
Tapton and north Chesterfield
Chain hotels near the A61 and Tesco, about a mile north of the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Train from London St Pancras, one way2 × £60 · 2026 estimate; fares vary by date and booking time. | £120 |
| Hardwick Hall adult ticket2 × £19 · 2026 estimate; check current ticket price and opening. | £38 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £15 · 2026 estimate; check provider and plan. | £30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £47 |
| Trip total≈ £258 per person per day, bed included | £515≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate; check availability and rates.
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Chesterfield excluded. Accommodation and daily-spend figures are estimates; verify current rates before booking. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | 2026 estimate: check |
| Pub main course | 2026 estimate: check |
| Pint of beer | 2026 estimate: check |
| Fish and chips | 2026 estimate: check |
| Town-centre taxi ride | Check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | 2026 estimate: check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Chesterfield Museum is closed for rebuilding; check the council site for its current status.
- Revolution House was reported closed in 2024; check its current status before travelling.
- Hardwick Hall has no direct train; check the bus route and the onward connection from the nearest stop.
- Chesterfield Market operates Monday and Thursday to Saturday; check current hours before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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ChesterfieldChesterfield
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Chesterfield → Sheffield: About 30 min; fare check.
- Train Chesterfield → London St Pancras: About 1 h 45 min; fare check.
English is the local language. UK tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; tipping is not expected in pubs.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chesterfield. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EMA and MAN: last trains field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.