Chesterfield Architects and Victorian Grand Designs
Spital Cemetery Lodge, 19 Hady Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ
Join us as we take a stroll around Spital Cemetery, the second oldest public cemetery in Derbyshire after Derby. Opened in 1857, it was laid out in the fashion of the time as a Garden Cemetery - not just a place to bury the dead but also as a place of leisure.
Discover something of the lives of two of Chesterfield past architect and builder families buried in the cemetery (including one woman), between them responsible for some notably building work in Chesterfield. Learn something about cemetery symbolism and the meaning of the carvings on gravestone monuments.
We will also discover something of the design of the chapels and the entrance pier and Cemetery Lodge. These were designed by Wolverhampton architects, Bidlake & Lovatt, the choice causing a certain amount of controversy with local residents at the time. They are in a style characteristic of many Victorian cemetery chapels. They and the Cemetery Lodge and arch pier are Grade II listed.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 21 September:
- 1400 for Architecture tour
Location & directions
Spital Cemetery Lodge, 19 Hady Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0DZ
- Directions:
- Spital Cemetery is located on Hady Hill, just after the traffic lights with the turning to Spital Lane on the right. By bus, take a bus heading in the direction of the Royal Hospital at Calow and alight at Spital Bridge. By car, parking is available on Spital Lane or along the tree-lined avenue after entering the top gate further up Hady Hill. Parking is also available on Cemetery Road, which can be accessed via Spital using Spital Lane, Stanley Street and Valley Road.
- Contact on day:
- Margaret Hersee
- Telephone number:
- +447980452838
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- Please book using the Eventbrite link. If there is considerable interest in the tour, we may try to arrange a further option. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-architects-and-victorian-grand-designs-tickets-1379218041289?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Booking contact name:
- Margaret
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-architects-and-victorian-grand-designs-tickets-1379218041289?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Booking opens:
- 02 Jun 2025 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 19 Sep 2025 05:00 PM
Accessibility details
Please note, there are no public toilets at the Cemetery. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Additional information
Spital Cemetery is always open to visitors. During Heritage Open Days, we will have our information boards on display throughout the week. These cover some of the background surrounding the opening of the cemetery and details of the lives of those buried there, much of which relates to the development of Chesterfield during Victorian and later times. The cemetery was designed as a garden cemetery and, as such, has an impressive selection of trees and is a haven for wildlife.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 15
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
