Sutton Gate Cache
This cache sits adjacent to the black gates which mark the main entrance leading down to the abandoned Hall. Sutton Hall is a lovely place to visit with family and friends for picnics, walking the dog and general sight seeing. While the Hall itself is now in ruins (as it has been for many years) it is free to walk round and explore, great for little adventures with the kids. The electric gates are timed and allow access from around 8:30am to 6pm, however, the cache is accessible 24hr. You will find numerous new information boards surrounding Sutton Hall, all of which provide details of its history. My interest, however, is with the vast amounts of paranormal activity.
Where you are probably parked (just to the left of the black gates opposite the bench) you may notice to the right of the gates what used to be the old garage and petrol station - now a group of brand new houses. Heavy footsteps have been reported around this site when nobody was there. It is said that once while a local chap was visiting the garage to pay his bill the account book and pen were whisked from his hands. The lights on the four pumps were also reported to flicker repeatedly before going out... one by one. The ghost may or may not help you locate the cache so be careful!
The Hall itself is also the centre of many ghost tales including the “White Lady” who is said can often be seen between the hall and the church yard. Many a story is told of dogs suddenly becoming ridged and growling, seemingly for no reason. On one occasion the sounds of an old fashioned horse-drawn carriage was heard making its way down a drive which no longer exists. If you search Sutton Scarsdale Hall on Google you can see the many investigations carried out by various psychic research groups.
If you have time when leaving turn left when leaving the hall and on the bend turn left again to Polterton. The little lane takes you down to where you cross the M1 motorway. Just over the bridge on the left you can park and take a walk down the public footpath to the ruin of Lodge Farm. You can walk around this ruin but it is structurally unsafe so great care must be taken. This is also home to a whole host of ghost stories. You'll also find that there are many other caches on this road to collect on route. More information can be found in “Ghost in and around Chesterfield” [A Pearson]. This book is no longer in print but is available in Chesterfield library to view only.