We have updated our Heritage Open Days (HODS) Page which you can view here. HODS events take place from 6-15 September 2024.

Heritage Open Days (HODS) is England’s largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers. Every year in September thousands of people come together across England to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free.

Events can range from the opening of buildings, ‘behind the scenes’ tours, walks and talks. Many are arranged by volunteers and some by owners of the facilities concerned.

Our page has links to county directories of the events as below:

• Derbyshire
• South Yorkshire
• There is also a country-wide searchable database available by clicking here.

Some events need to be booked in advanced. These are noted in the above guides.

The main HODS national page is here.

Events in the immediate Chesterfield area are below – there’s lots happening in the surrounding area not listed here – see the county links above for full details of these other events.

Old Brampton Parish Church – Discover the history of our Church and the people associated with it

St Peter & St Paul, Main Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 7JG

• 14 Sep 2024 – In person –  Pre-booking not required

Discover the history & secrets of this beautiful Grade 1 listed medieval church, ‘meet’ local celebrities from the past incl. Thomas Linacre, Henry VIII’s Royal Physician. With activities & refreshments in the Schoolroom , there’s something for all.

Explore the beautiful church with ancient features inside and outside. With the help of friendly guides and displays, journey through the fascinating history of the church and discover the achievements of local celebrities from the past.
2024 is the 500th anniversary of Thomas Linacre’s death. Find out what he did for Henry VII and Henry VIII, and his remarkable contribution to modern medicine.
See the Parish Registers on display.
Refreshments and more activities to enjoy in the Schoolroom next to the church.
Car parking is available in the Church Car Park a short walk from the church or, for disabled badge holders, adjacent to the Schoolroom.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

10:00 through 16:00

Location & directions

St Peter & St Paul, Main Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 7JG

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Elder Yard Unitarian Chapel

Elder Way, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1UR

In person Pre-booking not required

An unspoilt 17th Century Chapel (the oldest in Derbyshire), featuring original pews, altar and organ. Exceptional stained glass windows, a historical collection of Pearson’s Pottery and various artefacts not normally available to see.

The Chapel in the centre of Chesterfield has stood since 1694 and is the oldest non-conformist chapel in the whole of Derbyshire. It is a quiet retreat on the smart thoroughfare of Elder Way. It has a historical graveyard with many notable town figures remembered and the oldest grave dates back to 1705.

Inside you will find the unspoiled beauty of woodwork and magnificent stained glass with many historical artefacts on display. A collection of Pearson’s pottery and a unique model of the chapel from 1972 will also be on display. Members of the Chapel will welcome you and provide light refreshments. There is also a superb history of the Chapel available for a small charge.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

1000-1600

Saturday 07 September:

1000-1600

Sunday 08 September:

1500-1600

Location & directions

Elder Way, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1UR

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Freemasons’ Hall, Chesterfield

Freemasons’ Hall, 72 Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1JR

• Multiple dates available – In person – Pre-booking not required

A chance to see one of Chesterfield’s hidden gems and find out more about Freemasonry and its rich history.

The Doors are open and you are cordially invited to view the interior of Freemasons’ Hall, Chesterfield, in which a number of Lodges meet and be shown round by members of those Lodges. There has been a history of Freemasonry in Chesterfield dating back to 1762 and anyone who comes along can expect to find out all about the the rich past and explore the fascinating building.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:

10:00 to 16:00

Sunday 08 September:

10:00 to 16:00

Location & directions

Freemasons’ Hall, 72 Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1JR

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Spital Cemetery Railway Pioneers, Workers and Incidents

Spital Cemetery, Hady Hill, Spital, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ

• Multiple dates available In person Pre-booking not required

A downloadable map and guide on a selection of railway connections to burials in Spital Cemetery.

Spital Cemetery is always open to the public for leisure and quiet contemplation. During the period of Heritage Open Days, our Information Boards will be on display containing background information about the opening of the Cemetery and some of the interesting stories of people buried there.

In addition, take a wander using our downloadable map and guide and discover a few of the railway connections of the people buried there. At one time, Chesterfield had three railway stations – all needed to make connections for industry and travel further afield. The great railway pioneer, George Stephenson, is buried in Holy Trinity church in the centre of town and some of his co-workers are buried in Spital Cemetery. We have selected some pioneers and workers who are buried in the cemetery for you to consider their contributions. We’ve also highlighted some burials connected with unfortunate incidents, mostly due to changes in health and safety and general lighting conditions

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

All day

Saturday 07 September:

All day

Sunday 08 September:

All day

Monday 09 September:

All day

Tuesday 10 September:

All day

Wednesday 11 September:

All day

Thursday 12 September:

All day

Friday 13 September:

All day

Saturday 14 September:

All day

Sunday 15 September:

All day

Location & directions

Spital Cemetery, Hady Hill, Spital, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ

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Spital Cemetery – The Treemendous Trees

Spital Cemetery Lodge, 19 Hady Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ

• 08 Sep 2024 In person Pre-booking preferred

A chance to identify the many native and non-native trees that were either already in the Cemetery when it was opened or were brought in and planted – maybe from within these shores but also, maybe from further afield. A map is available to assist.

Spital Cemetery is always open to the public for leisure and quiet contemplation. During the period of Heritage Open Days, our Information Boards will be on display containing background information about the opening of the Cemetery and some of the interesting stories of people buried there. Spital Cemetery was designed as a Victorian Garden Cemetery and, as such, was intended to be a place for leisure as well as for visitors to mourn the loss of their loved ones. They were, therefore, parks and were planted as such with trees – many of which were brought from further afield than our native Britain. We are fairly confident that one tree, an ash, was present in the field when the cemetery was opened and it’s possible others were too. However, several were brought from foreign parts. We have managed to identify some of these, but others remain to be confirmed. In particular, we appear to have a number of different types of pine trees. Feel free to wander using our map of discoveries so far and /or join us on Sunday 8th September at 10am to help us identify the remainder and maybe work out where they all might have come from. Join us, to help us with this identification and see how far some of our trees have travelled in order to have taken up root here. Our findings so far can be found in the attached downloadable map.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 08 September:

1000 – 1200

Location & directions

Spital Cemetery Lodge, 19 Hady Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ

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Please support those taking part in HODS.

This post was edited on 22 August to add events in the immediate Chesterfield borough area.