Holmesfield

Holmesfield sits at the head of the Cordwell Valley, on a ridge roughly 800 feet above sea level between Sheffield and Chesterfield, right on the eastern edge of the Peak District National Park. The village and its parish, which takes in the hamlets of Millthorpe, Cordwell, Horsleygate, Cartledge, Cowley and Fanshawgate, spread across rolling farmland and wooded dells that give way almost immediately to open moorland to the west.

It is an old settlement, recorded in the Domesday Book as one of the manors held by Walter D'Aincourt, and its name is thought to derive from Old Norse and Old English words meaning raised pasture-land. A fragment of a stone cross dating back to around the 7th century still stands in the churchyard of St Swithin's, a reminder of just how long people have farmed this high ground above Chesterfield. Today Holmesfield is better known as one of Derbyshire's most sought-after villages, prized for its views over the valley and its easy reach of both the Peak District and two major cities.

Top things to do near Holmesfield

The village itself is small, but it is superbly placed for walking, cycling and exploring some of the Peak District's best-loved scenery.

• Peak District National Park — open moorland, gritstone edges and dry-stone-walled fields begin almost at the village boundary, with countless walking routes onto the high ground to the west.
• Cordwell Valley — the wooded valley below the village, popular with local walkers for its streams, footpaths and views back up towards Holmesfield.
• Chatsworth House — the Duke of Devonshire's stately home and gardens, a short drive away, with its deer park, farmyard and adventure playground.
• Owler Bar — a moorland crossroads hamlet within the parish, a popular starting point for walks onto Big Moor and towards the gritstone edges of the eastern Peak.
• Sheffield and Chesterfield — both within easy reach, offering shopping, museums and Chesterfield's famously crooked spire.

Getting to Holmesfield

Holmesfield lies just off the B6054, a few miles from Dronfield and within easy reach of the A61, which connects Chesterfield to the south and Sheffield to the north. The M1 is a short drive away via Dronfield or Chesterfield, making the village accessible from across the region. Chesterfield railway station, with services on the Midland Main Line, is the nearest mainline station, while Sheffield station offers a wider range of connections including trains to London St Pancras. Sheffield's tram and bus network also reaches within a few miles of the village.

Best time to visit Holmesfield

Spring and summer bring the Cordwell Valley and surrounding farmland into full green leaf, and the long evenings suit walks out towards Owler Bar and the moorland edges. Autumn colours the valley's woodland and hedgerows, while winter can be atmospheric on the higher ground, though exposed moorland paths are best avoided in poor weather. Holmesfield's elevated position means it can feel noticeably cooler and windier than towns lower in the valley, so it is worth packing accordingly whatever the season.

Where to stay near Holmesfield

Holmesfield itself has little in the way of formal accommodation, but its position on the edge of the Peak District puts it within easy reach of camping, glamping and small guesthouses scattered around the surrounding villages, along with a wider choice of hotels and B&Bs in nearby Chesterfield, Dronfield and Sheffield.

Food and drink near Holmesfield

The village has long punched above its weight for pubs given its size. The Horns Inn on Main Road is a traditional community local in the heart of the village, while the Angel Inn, also on Main Road next to the parish church, is known for its log fires, real ales and restaurant menu. Out at Owler Bar, on the parish's western edge, the Peacock and the Moorlands both serve walkers coming off the moors.