The Chesterfield Canal
The Chesterfield Canal was designed and built by James Brindley and was opened on June 4th 1777. It ran from Chesterfield to West Stockwith where it joined the River Trent. Its primary purpose was to transport coal from Derbyshire to new markets across the country. The original surveys were carried out by the engineer James Brindley. It was a remarkable feat of engineering for its day with the 2880 yard long tunnel at Norwood and the staircase of locks at Thorpe Salvin. Boatmen had to lie on their backs and leg the barges through the tunnels.
As the railways became more successful waterborne trade declined and the canal was allowed to deteriorate. In 1907 part of the Norwood Tunnel collapsed which isolated the Chesterfield end from the rest. Small cargoes of local goods continued to use the canal up to the 1950s. By that time the section between West Stockwith and Worksop was barely navigable.
Bits of the Canal in Rotherham
Turnerwood/Thorpe Salvin
A flight of fifteen locks raises the canal between Turnerwood and Thorpe Salvin. They include the oldest surviving triple locks in the country, Thorpe Top Treble. Stone from the limestone quarries was loaded onto the canal here. Between 1840 and 1844 almost half a million tons of locally mined limestone were loaded onto the canal for transportation to London to build the Houses of Parliament.
The canal basin at Turnerwood
© Chesterfield Canal Trust
Norwood
The Norwood tunnel is still blocked and the Norwood flight of locks are still decayed. The canal here is in private ownership.
Harthill Reservoirs
The reservoirs at Harthill were built as the feeder water supply to the canal. The feeder stream flowed down to enter the canal at Kiveton Park.
The canal has now been restored in part: the whole of the section in Nottinghamshire now being navigable. Work is continuing in Rotherham and Chesterfield. The canal between Chesterfield and Staveley opened June 2002. The canal in Rotherham east of Norwood Tunnel reopened in 2003.
Facilities on the Chesterfield Canal
Boating
Boating is allowed on the canal between Shireoaks and West Stockwith. Contact British Waterways for a licence or visit the Tapton Lock Visitors Centre. Holiday narrowboats can be hired from the Chesterfield Canal Boat Company at West Stockwith. Tel. 01522 514774.
Fishing
The fishing rights along the canal are owned by various fishing clubs. Contact British Waterways or the Tapton Lock Visitors Centre for details.
Cycling
Bicycling is allowed is permitted on limited section of the towpath. Contact British Waterways or the Tapton Lock Visitors Centre for details.
Wildlife
The canal is a haven for wildlife. Bring your field glasses if you are into a bit of bird-watching!
Walking
The whole of the towpath known as the Cuckoo Way is open to walkers. It is not all a public right of way - notably sections in Nottinghamshire and Rotherham. It is particularly hard to trace the route across the top of the Norwood Tunnel at Killamarsh as it has been built over. Detailed information sheets and leaflets describing a series of short circular walks are available.
Addresses & Links
The Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd
British Waterways
Address:- The Kiln, Mather Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 1FB. Tel. 01636 704481. Tapton Lock Visitor Centre
Address:- Lockford Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0TG.Tel. 44 (0) 1246 551035.
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