Brindley Loop, Chesterfield Canal

Remnants of a wharfe which served a horse drawn tramwar from a local coal mine Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

The Chesterfield Canal was designed by canal pioneer James Brindley. It was completed in 1777 but in the late 1800s parts of the canal were diverted to allow the construction of a main line railway,eventually to become the Great Central Railway. The cut-off loop between the villages of Renishaw and Killamarsh became isolated and eventually reverted to nature. Today it forms a delightful footpath which forms an excellent diversion for people walking or cycling along the branch Trans-Pennine Trail long distance trail which runs along the disused track of the old railway that caused the canal to be diverted. The path is an almost magical glade which also offers a chance to experience history at first hand. Historically this canal, the last that Brindley designed, represents an important link between the early contour following canals to the more ambitious cut and fill canals which were to come later.

You will be able to see a sharp contrast between the Brindley Loop and the long straight diversion through a cutting which is known as the Railway Mile.

Know Before You Go

It is best to park at the Trans-Pennine Trail car park at Renishaw and walk north on the trail until you reach the Brindley Loop which will be ajacent to the first style you find on the left hand side of the trail. About one third of the loop is not part of the pemisive footpath. Please return to the Trans-Pennine Trail via the public footpath when you reach it.