Chesterfield Canal Thorpe Flight Of Locks Between Bridge 35 (To West Of Low Spring Wood) And Turnerwood Bridge

The Thorpe Flight of Locks on the Chesterfield Canal, located between Bridge 35 to the west of Low Spring Wood and Turnerwood Bridge, dates from the late 18th century and has undergone some alterations. Constructed for the Chesterfield Canal Company, the flight consists of eight narrow lock structures, each 2.1 metres wide, including two double locks and one treble staircase. The locks feature stone entry and exit walls with brick linings, some having ashlar courses near the low water line. The ashlar lock-gate recesses, where the gates have been removed, include hollow-quoined heel-post housings. The stone edgings are best preserved to the west, although they are absent in much of the flight. The Low Treble lock (numbers 26-28) near the centre has an ashlar south wall in its central section, while the westernmost lock (number 23) is the most intact, though it has been largely renewed. The Turnerwood Double lock (numbers 33/34) is associated with Turnerwood Bridge, which is not of special interest. Despite varying states of preservation, this flight is a significant part of the Chesterfield Canal, which was surveyed by James Brindley and constructed between 1771 and 1777 under the supervision of John Varley and Hugh Henshall, linking Chesterfield with Stockwith to provide access to eastern waterways.