Venue Description

Tapton Lock is the only visitor centre on the Chesterfield Canal, open every day (except Christmas day) between 10am and 4pm. The visitor centre is a great place to start exploring the Chesterfield Canal and Trans Pennine Trail southern link. The visitor centre, its gardens and its facilities are fully accessible and we now have a 'Tramper' mobility scooter available to help you explore further. The towpath is accessible for everyone from Tapton Lock to Staveley. The visitor centre has a small shop and café, as well as information about the local area and the history of the canal. Chesterfield Canal trust volunteers run regular boat trips from the visitor centre on Sundays and bank holidays through the summer months, with Santa trips leading up to Christmas and summer evening specials. The trust’s trip boat John Varley II has a wheelchair lift.

Accessibility

Tapton Lock Visitor Centre can be accessed from the road. Access is down a ramp with a handrail. The doors are manual, but wide enough for wheelchairs. The visitors centre is on the ground floor. Public toilets are on the first floor, accessible by either stairs or a slope. Path slopes are no steeper than 1 in 10. Paths are wider than 1 metre. There are no steps or barriers. There are intact path surfaces with only slight irregularities, neat edges. Some parts of the pathway may have shallow standing water, due to our location.

Awards List

We're delighted to announce that the visitor centre and surroundings have earned the Green Flag Award for its quality green-space provision in 2018. This is the sixth year running we've been given the award, which is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.

Toilets

An accessible toilet is located on the first floor of the visitor centre. The doors are manual, but wide enough for a wheelchair. There are grab rails. Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet.

Staff

Our staff are happy to help and assist, but are not fully trained in an official capacity.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and on the canal towpath. They can be exercised on our nearby events field, either on a lead or under close control.

Other assistance dog facilities

A water bowl is available for dogs all year round. Poo bags and dog biscuits can be bought from the visitor centre, and there are bins along the towpath.