⛪ SMH GROUP STADIUM ⛪
Chesterfield Complete Travel Guide – 2026-27 Season
ℹ️ 2026-27 Season Guide: All information has been researched and verified for Chesterfield’s third consecutive League Two season. Always check chesterfield-fc.co.uk for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel.
⛪ ABOUT THE SMH GROUP STADIUM
The SMH Group Stadium, opened in 2010 on the site of the former Dema Glassworks in Whittington Moor, replaced the club’s much-loved but ageing former home at Saltergate after more than 130 years.
With a capacity of around 10,600, the ground was designed by Sheffield-based architects Ward McHugh Associates and cost £13 million to build. Its four covered stands all offer unobstructed views, a significant upgrade on Saltergate’s famously quirky sightlines.
A real point of pride is the HUB community facility on the exterior of the East Stand, a two-storey building with a café, gym, therapy pool and classrooms. The stadium has hosted England Under-19 and Under-21 matches, and has had several naming sponsors over its short life (b2net, Proact, Technique) – since June 2023, it has been the SMH Group Stadium.
Chesterfield – The Spireites – are one of English football’s genuinely historic clubs, with roots tracing back to at least 1866. They take their nickname from the Crooked Spire of St Mary and All Saints, the beloved twisted landmark that dominates the Chesterfield skyline.
The club has spent most of its history in the third and fourth tiers, with a memorable run to the FA Cup semi-final in 1997 that’s still talked about in the town today.
Chesterfield re-entered the EFL in 2024 after a spell in non-league football, winning the National League title, and are now in their third consecutive League Two season. The Miners’ Strike Derby against Mansfield Town is the fiercest local rivalry, with real historical roots in the 1984-85 dispute.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | Around 10,600 (all seated) |
| Opened | 2010 – built on the former Dema Glassworks site |
| Address | Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 8NZ |
| Away Section | Auto Windscreen North Stand (behind the goal) |
| Away Allocation | Typically just over 2,100 seats (expandable for bigger fixtures) |
| Record Attendance | 10,108 vs Maidenhead United (final National League match, May 2024) |
ℹ️ Naming history: b2net Stadium (2010-2012) → Proact Stadium (2012-2020) → Technique Stadium (2020-2023) → SMH Group Stadium (from 2023).
🚗 GETTING TO THE SMH GROUP STADIUM
The stadium sits on Sheffield Road in Whittington Moor, about 1.5 miles north of Chesterfield town centre, just off the A61 with easy access via the M1 at Junction 29. Chesterfield station is roughly 1.3 miles away, making it a 20-30 minute walk or a quick taxi ride. Stadium parking is permit-only, so don’t expect to park at the stadium itself.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
SMH Group Stadium Address: Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 8NZ
🚂 BY TRAIN – Direct from London and the Midlands
Why Trains Work: Chesterfield station sits on the Midland Main Line, served by East Midlands Railway direct from London St Pancras, plus CrossCountry connecting north and south via Derby and Sheffield.
Journey Times to Chesterfield:
🔴 London St Pancras: Around 1 hour 47 minutes (direct)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: Around 1 hour 15 minutes (direct)
🟡 Leeds: Around 1 hour 10 minutes (direct or change at Sheffield)
🟢 Sheffield: Around 18 minutes (very frequent)
🔵 Derby: Around 20-25 minutes (frequent)
🚶 Walking (20-30 minutes via Stonegravels Way): Follow signs for the Stonegravels Way footpath and cycle route, past the Casa Hotel, emerging near Lockoford Lane close to the stadium. Well signposted once you’re on the path.
🚌 Bus (5-10 minutes): Several routes run from Cavendish Street near the station up Sheffield Road towards the stadium.
🔗 Useful Link: National Rail Journey Planner
🚗 BY CAR
Exit the M1 at Junction 29 and follow signs into Chesterfield, then onto the A61 Sheffield Road. From the east via Junction 30, follow the A619 through Staveley and Brimington.
🅿️ Parking: The stadium car park is permit-holders only, not available to general matchday visitors. The Tesco Extra store, just 100m from the ground, offers pay-and-display spaces via the Your Parking Space app.
🍺 PUBS & FOOD NEAR THE GROUND
Sheffield Road has a decent pub scene for away fans, and there’s good food right opposite the stadium too.
🍺 THE DERBY TUP ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The number one recommendation for away fans is a proper old-fashioned real ale pub, a short walk from the stadium on Sheffield Road. Consistently praised for its excellent cask ales, friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. Welcomes both home and away fans.
Details: 387 Sheffield Road, S41 8LF | Distance to Stadium: 7 minutes’ walk | Price: ££
🍺 THE DONKEY DERBY ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A large, family-friendly Greene King pub right on the approach to the stadium. A good option for groups or those wanting food, with a broad pub-classics menu.
Details: 409 Sheffield Road, S41 8LS | Distance to Stadium: 5 minutes’ walk | Price: ££
🍺 FOR THOSE DRIVING
Speedwell Arms (Townes Brewery, Staveley) – a genuine hidden gem brewpub on the A619 approach from Junction 30. Brampton Brewery Rose & Crown (104 Old Road, Brampton, S40 2QT) – around 10 minutes’ drive from the ground, a superb real ale destination with Chesterfield memorabilia on the walls.
🍽️ FOOD
The Batch House, directly opposite the stadium, is an artisan food court with a range of independent street food outlets – ideal for a proper pre-match meal. Inside the ground, Chester’s Den café in the East Stand HUB is open on matchdays alongside standard concourse fare.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN CHESTERFIELD
Chesterfield is well served for accommodation, with budget options very close to the stadium and mid-range choices in the town centre. As a general rule, Chesterfield represents excellent value compared to many League Two destinations. For a more luxurious base or a bigger night out, Sheffield (18 minutes by train) or the Peak District are both easy alternatives.
£ Budget Options
Travelodge Chesterfield
Just 0.5 miles from the stadium – the most convenient budget option for matchday visitors. Bright, clean rooms, free parking and Wi-Fi. Standard Travelodge spec, but the location is genuinely useful. Book well ahead for the best rates.
🔗 Booking: travelodge.co.uk
Premier Inn Chesterfield North
Around 1.1 miles from the stadium, offering the reliable comfort and value the chain is known for – contemporary rooms, a pub-style restaurant, free parking and Wi-Fi. An easy walk or short taxi from both the stadium and the town centre.
🔗 Booking: premierinn.com
££ Mid-Range Options
Casa Hotel
One of Derbyshire’s leading four-star hotels, situated right on the Stonegravels Way walking route between the train station and the stadium. Contemporary interiors, an excellent restaurant, spa facilities and beautiful grounds. Opened in 2011 and quickly established itself as the go-to quality option in Chesterfield – hard to beat at this price point if you’re making a weekend of it.
🔗 Booking: casahotel.co.uk
£££ Nearby Cities (Sheffield / Peak District)
Sheffield City Centre Hotels
Sheffield is just 18 minutes by train from Chesterfield – a wide range of accommodation from budget to boutique, with a fantastic night-out scene, world-class music venues and brilliant restaurants. Staying in Sheffield and commuting in by train is a genuinely viable option if you fancy a livelier Saturday night after the match. All the major chains (Hilton, Marriott, ibis, Premier Inn) are represented.
🔗 Search: booking.com or hotels.com
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN CHESTERFIELD
Chesterfield is a genuine market town with real character and an extraordinary gateway to some of England’s finest countryside and stately homes.
🏆 TOP ATTRACTIONS
The Crooked Spire
St Mary and All Saints Church, with its dramatically twisted medieval spire, is leaning 9 feet 6 inches from its true centre. Genuinely startling to see in person. Free to enter the church; small charge for tower tours.
Chesterfield Market
One of England’s oldest open-air markets, trading since 1204. Held Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays – perfect timing for a Saturday matchday.
Chatsworth House, Bolsover Castle & Hardwick Hall
All within 30 minutes of Chesterfield – a concentration of extraordinary English heritage that very few League Two destinations can match.
⚽ MATCHDAY TIPS
🏟️ Historic Club: Chesterfield trace their roots to 1866, one of English football’s genuinely old clubs.
🏭 Miners’ Strike Derby: The rivalry with Mansfield Town has real historical roots in the 1984-85 dispute – expect real edge if the fixtures align.
🅿️ No Stadium Parking: Don’t expect to park at the ground – it’s permit-holders only.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
A trip to the SMH Group Stadium is a very decent League Two away day – modern, clean and well-organised, with good views throughout. But it’s the town itself that elevates this into something worth a proper trip: the Crooked Spire is genuinely unmissable, the market has been trading since 1204, and you’re within 30 minutes of Chatsworth House, Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall.
Our advice? Get the train to Chesterfield, spend the morning at the Crooked Spire and the market, grab a pre-match pint at the Derby Tup, then walk or bus up to the stadium in good time.
💙 Up the Spireites! ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
⛪ Chesterfield FC: chesterfield-fc.co.uk
🚂 National Rail: nationalrail.co.uk
🏰 Chatsworth House: chatsworth.org
ℹ️ Visit Chesterfield: visitchesterfield.info
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⛪ Part of the Football Nonsense League Two Away Days Collection
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John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.