Hollingwood Hub (Chesterfield Canal Trust) — Attraction in Chesterfield

It's such a pleasure to walk along the Chesterfield Canal Today we did it from the Hollingwood Hub end... There's a car park big enough for maybe 25/30 cars. The short walk from the car park to the hub is wonderful. Why ? The flower& bulb planting here is superb. The bed are a riot of colour with two tone flag irises that I've never seen before. An old rowing boat is used as a focal point but the flowers are the stars of the show. All year round. The hub area is very well looked after. Notice boards are full of useful information about the canal boats that take guests up and down the canal. There's a shop that has 2nd hand books and donated items alongside a range of books about the canal and the walks along it. Walking sticks, baseball caps, and so many different items can be purchased here. If you want information about the canal this is the place to be. The people who are there have a wealth of knowledge between them. The next stop I'd the cafe and if you love nothing better than a cooked breakfast treat or homemade cake and a cuppa, this is the place for you. In all our visits we've never been disappointed. To get us ready for our walk, we had scrambled eggs on toast, which was so very tasty. Because we had already seen the cakes we had an almond sponge and pastry treat that had a strawberry jam layer between them. It was simply gorgeous. To be honest we did eat a little too much, but we'd found it hard to resist. Every visit we are always impressed with the food they produce despite the small area they have. You can have a sausage or bacon breakfast buttie or something more simple like poached or scrambled eggs. It would be nice to have veggie sausages & a few more vegetarian options on the menu please.... All the delicious food, with the additional gorgeous bakes and a decent cuppa too. There are outside tables as well as inside ones. Lots of space for cyclists to park their bikes too. We noticed that the footpaths had work done to make them nice to walk on. No more potholes and it will be a good surface in the rain as there won't be large puddles to avoid with children or bikes. Toilet facilities are available. Hollingwood hub has a lot to offer walkers, cyclists and families too It's beautifully cared for. You can sit in the sun with your cuppa and, enjoy the floral displays. There's always someone to chat with while people watching. There's also a large lock directly in front of the hub. This fascinates adults and children too. To see the canal boats lowering as the water level changes always attracts attention..... Why not visit the hub and see...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Hollingwood Hub in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and I must say it exceeded all my expectations. This lovely little hub offers a delightful cafe and shop, along with a staff that truly goes above and beyond to make your visit enjoyable.

The first thing that caught my attention was the inviting atmosphere. The exterior of the hub provides ample space to sit outside, allowing visitors to enjoy their refreshments while basking in the scenic surroundings. Whether you prefer a sunny spot or a shady corner, there are plenty of seating options available.

What impressed me further was the thoughtful amenities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hollingwood Hub caters to cyclists by providing dedicated parking spaces for bikes. It's incredibly convenient to have a secure place to park your bike just a few feet away from the hub. Additionally, there is a car park nearby, ensuring hassle-free parking for those arriving by car.

One of the highlights of my visit was the boat trips on the Madeline. It was a fantastic experience to hop aboard and explore the beautiful Chesterfield Canal. The boat trips are a great way to immerse yourself in the serene surroundings and learn more about the local history and wildlife.

For those relying on public transportation, Hollingwood Hub is conveniently located near a bus stop serviced by the route 90. This makes it easily accessible and an ideal destination for a day out, even if you don't have your own vehicle.

What truly sets Hollingwood Hub apart is its proximity to the canal, allowing visitors to embark on a picturesque walk to Tapton or Staveley. The canal path provides a tranquil setting for a leisurely stroll, where you can admire the scenic beauty and enjoy the calming presence of the water.

Overall, my experience at Hollingwood Hub was nothing short of delightful. The combination of a charming cafe, friendly staff, outdoor seating, bike parking, boat trips, and easy access to the canal walk make it a hidden gem in Chesterfield. I highly recommend paying a visit to Hollingwood Hub, whether you're a local looking for a relaxing day out or a tourist exploring Derbyshire's treasures. It's a place that truly captures the essence of the area and leaves you with...

Lovely trip in a barge along the canal, which lasted around an hour. The crew couldn't have been nicer!! Even allowing my daughter to stear the boat.Hot and cold drinks were served on the outward part of the cruise, and various photos were handed out, showing how the canal used to look and what the restoration process looked like. Recently, I took another canal trip on board the Seth Ellis departing from Drakeholes. The trip was lovely with us passing through the tunnel and along to the first lock, which we passed through, and then back again. The volunteers were lovely and allowed us to assist in steering the boat and operating the locks, which gave us great insight into how the...