30 photos of Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s creepiest buildings – including abandoned rail tunnels, haunted sites and homes with dark pasts

By Tom Hardwick

Trainee reporter

Published 1st Nov 2023, 17:01 BST

Updated 1st Nov 2023, 17:03 BST

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These 30 photos show some of the creepiest buildings found across Chesterfield and Derbyshire.

Lost Places & Forgotten Faces is an urban explorer who has visited a number of eerie derelict sites across the county – from abandoned factories and homes to the rail tunnel that still stands under the streets of Chesterfield.

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These 30 pictures showcase some of the most creepy abandoned sites that Chesterfield and Derbyshire have to offer – can you spot anywhere that you recognise?

These are some of the eeriest buildings in Derbyshire.

. Abandoned buildings

These are some of the eeriest buildings in Derbyshire. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Cottage Hill Farm is a 19th century Chesterfield farmhouse and outbuildings. Once located in rural settings, the property is now surrounded by a built-up area.

. Cottage Hill Farm

Cottage Hill Farm is a 19th century Chesterfield farmhouse and outbuildings. Once located in rural settings, the property is now surrounded by a built-up area. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

The farm was last occupied by the Needham family - Frank Needham, a farmer, and his wife Shirley. After his wife passed away, Frank retired in 2013. The farm was sealed up, with most of the family's belongings inside, including a number of very old vintage items and a player piano from the 1920's.

. Cottage Hill Farm

The farm was last occupied by the Needham family - Frank Needham, a farmer, and his wife Shirley. After his wife passed away, Frank retired in 2013. The farm was sealed up, with most of the family's belongings inside, including a number of very old vintage items and a player piano from the 1920's. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Frank sadly died in April 2019, aged 82. The farm now stands dormant, is regularly frequented by vandals, and has been badly trashed and ransacked.

. Cottage Hill Farm

Frank sadly died in April 2019, aged 82. The farm now stands dormant, is regularly frequented by vandals, and has been badly trashed and ransacked. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Lost Places & Forgotten Faces said: “It was so unbelievably sad to see a place like this fall into such a state.”

. Cottage Hill Farm

Lost Places & Forgotten Faces said: “It was so unbelievably sad to see a place like this fall into such a state.” Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Duckmanton Lodge dates back to 1841, originally built for local iron works owner Benjamin Smith. A decade later, it was occupied by Pastor John Bennett, before changing hands again numerous times. In 1881, it was then owned by A. William Byron, before being sold in 1919 for £2,000.

. Duckmanton Lodge

Duckmanton Lodge dates back to 1841, originally built for local iron works owner Benjamin Smith. A decade later, it was occupied by Pastor John Bennett, before changing hands again numerous times. In 1881, it was then owned by A. William Byron, before being sold in 1919 for £2,000. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

The Lodge served as a pub and restaurant to the residents of Calow, and supported local sporting events with its football pitch, changing rooms and a shower. After local trade declined, Duckmanton Lodge closed in 2006 and was boarded up. However, vandals and thieves quickly had their way with the building, resulting in a lack of buyer interest.

. Duckmanton Lodge

The Lodge served as a pub and restaurant to the residents of Calow, and supported local sporting events with its football pitch, changing rooms and a shower. After local trade declined, Duckmanton Lodge closed in 2006 and was boarded up. However, vandals and thieves quickly had their way with the building, resulting in a lack of buyer interest. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Located in very rural settings on the outskirts of Matlock lies the decaying remains of a once productive and successful family-run dairy farm. Built in 1859 according to the date stone on the entrance, it was run and occupied by farmer Sam Raines and his wife.

. Raines Farm

Located in very rural settings on the outskirts of Matlock lies the decaying remains of a once productive and successful family-run dairy farm. Built in 1859 according to the date stone on the entrance, it was run and occupied by farmer Sam Raines and his wife. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Sadly, as life continues to tick forward, the Raines retired and production on their farm stopped. They continued to live there until Mr Raines' wife passed away in 2012, and he sadly died in 2014.

. Raines Farm

Sadly, as life continues to tick forward, the Raines retired and production on their farm stopped. They continued to live there until Mr Raines' wife passed away in 2012, and he sadly died in 2014. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

The site has very quickly deteriorated, and the farm is now occupied by approximately six stray cats. Some live in the barn and outbuildings, whilst the others have accommodated the main house.

. Raines Farm

The site has very quickly deteriorated, and the farm is now occupied by approximately six stray cats. Some live in the barn and outbuildings, whilst the others have accommodated the main house. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Originally part of the larger Cawdor Quarry complex, Permanite Asphalt in Matlock was incorporated in 1989 and manufactured various asphalt products, mainly flooring blocks used to waterproof floors and roofing sheets.

. Permanite Asphalt

Originally part of the larger Cawdor Quarry complex, Permanite Asphalt in Matlock was incorporated in 1989 and manufactured various asphalt products, mainly flooring blocks used to waterproof floors and roofing sheets. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

In 2009, Permanite Asphalt relocated to Grangemill, becoming known as Ruberoid, which is part of the IKO Group. The companies website states that they dissolved in September 2016.

. Permanite Asphalt

In 2009, Permanite Asphalt relocated to Grangemill, becoming known as Ruberoid, which is part of the IKO Group. The companies website states that they dissolved in September 2016. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

In 2018, developers Groveholt Ltd submitted plans for 586 houses in total for the ‘Matlock Spa’ development - with 468 of the homes to be built on the brownfield sites of Cawdor quarry and the former Permanite works.

. Permanite Asphalt

In 2018, developers Groveholt Ltd submitted plans for 586 houses in total for the ‘Matlock Spa’ development - with 468 of the homes to be built on the brownfield sites of Cawdor quarry and the former Permanite works. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

These are some of the eeriest buildings in Derbyshire.

1. Abandoned buildings

These are some of the eeriest buildings in Derbyshire. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Cottage Hill Farm is a 19th century Chesterfield farmhouse and outbuildings. Once located in rural settings, the property is now surrounded by a built-up area.

2. Cottage Hill Farm

Cottage Hill Farm is a 19th century Chesterfield farmhouse and outbuildings. Once located in rural settings, the property is now surrounded by a built-up area. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

The farm was last occupied by the Needham family - Frank Needham, a farmer, and his wife Shirley. After his wife passed away, Frank retired in 2013. The farm was sealed up, with most of the family's belongings inside, including a number of very old vintage items and a player piano from the 1920's.

3. Cottage Hill Farm

The farm was last occupied by the Needham family - Frank Needham, a farmer, and his wife Shirley. After his wife passed away, Frank retired in 2013. The farm was sealed up, with most of the family's belongings inside, including a number of very old vintage items and a player piano from the 1920's. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Frank sadly died in April 2019, aged 82. The farm now stands dormant, is regularly frequented by vandals, and has been badly trashed and ransacked.

4. Cottage Hill Farm

Frank sadly died in April 2019, aged 82. The farm now stands dormant, is regularly frequented by vandals, and has been badly trashed and ransacked. Photo: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces

Derbyshire Chesterfield