Dronfield is a town in North East Derbyshire in the North Midlands region of England. It comprises the three communities of Dronfield, Dronfield Woodhouse and Coal Aston. It is sited in the valley of the small River Drone, and lies between the town of Chesterfield and the city of Sheffield. The Peak District National Park lies 3 miles to the west. The town's name means open land infested with drones (male bees). Dronfield's population has increased dramatically in post-war years from 6,500 in 1945 to its current size of just over 21,000.