Little Barbrook walk (5km, linear)

Peak District Kids writer: Helen from Little Puddle People

This Little Barbrook walk offers a ‘there and back’ route, which includes fantastic views, an ancient standing stone circle, and a Bronze Age cairn. Plus, the furthest point is a great picnic spot with opportunities to paddle, play Pooh Sticks and feed ducks. You may even spot deer, kestrel and butterflies here!

A very simple walk following one main track, and very easy going. In fact this walk to Little Barbrook is one of our favourite flat walks in the Peak District.

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If you are planning a visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.

Safe winter walking tips

During the winter months, it’s important to be extra prepared and safe when out walking and adventuring in the Peak District. The weather can change so quickly, especially on the exposed escarpments, and we don’t want you to get caught out.

Read our top tips for safe winter walking with the kids.

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PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point provided for every walk, or what3words.

Do check out our top tips for hiking with young kids, as well as our essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District.

Download and print out our walking guides ready for your family walk. There are over 80 downloadable walk guides available, and these include all the main Peak District family walks, pram-friendly walks, and toddler walks.

Each printable download is just £1.50, whether it’s a short 1km stroll or an epic walk up Kinder Scout.

PDF WALK GUIDES

Little Barbrook walk map

On all Peak District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the OS Explorer Active Map OL 24 (White Peak). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.

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	The Peak District: White Peak Area Map \| Weatherproof \| Peak…	£14.75	Buy on Amazon

This Little Barbrook walk follows the below linear route.

Little Barbrook walk OS Map — © Crown copyright 2023 OS 100066702

View OS online map

Get a printable download of this walk

Want to print off this walk guide rather than rely on your mobile? Then click here to download the PDF to print out at home. Perhaps print out a copy for the kids to follow the step-by-step directions and/or photos? It’s a great way to get them engaged with the walk and gives them a sense of responsibility.

All printable downloads are £1.50 each. Click here for the full list of Peak District Kids printable downloads.

Please note that your download link expires 72 hours from order, so make sure you save your PDF somewhere where you’ll remember it. If you are unsure where your download folder is on your mobile device, we recommend you download the PDF on your laptop or desktop.

Little Barbrook walk (printable download) – 5km

£1.50

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Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 5km / 3.1 miles

TYPE OF WALK: Linear

PARKING: Roadside lay-by on A621. Click here for Google map point. Post code S18 7WE. There are two laybys; one on each side of the road.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Fantastic views, tranquil picnic spot, standing stone circle, a Bronze Age cairn, playing in the water at Little Barbrook.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: This is a 1.5 hour walk for adults, but allow 2-3 hours to really enjoy this walk with little ones.

ACCESSIBILITY: This walk is doable in a pram if you have an all terrain buggy and are prepared to put a bit of muscle into it. There are no stiles.

TOTAL ASCENT: 63 metres

PUBLIC TOILETS: There are no facilities at all on this walk. The nearest village is Curbar, which is a 5 minute drive away.

The route

START: Parson’s Field Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2810 7514
Post code: S18 7WE
what3words: ///moves.revealing.sunflower

This is a linear route.

1. Walk through the gate off the main road and continue along the footpath.

2. After 500 metres on your right, you will come across a narrow rocky path leading up to some standing stones. You can detour up here to have a look at them. There is also a Bronze Age cairn just behind. Please do not remove stones or climb on the cairn. Once you’ve finished having a look head back down to the main path.

3. Keep following the footpath. Down the hill to your left is Bar Brook, a little stream. You will reach a small and shady wooded area that has some great trees to explore and climb.

4. Immediately after the wooded area is Little Barbrook, a small disused reservoir now serving as a nature reserve. The water is home to ducks, geese, water voles, newts, frogs and fish, as well as dragonflies and many other small creatures. It is teeming with life! Exploring the heather and rocky terrain around the reservoir is a favourite for nature-loving kids; a great spot to stop for a picnic and play.

Little Barbrook is a great place to paddle and can be popular with wild swimmers, but it is extremely important to be aware of the environmental impact that we can have. Please keep away from the banks to protect nesting areas and water vole habitat. There is a sloping cobbled corner of the reservoir which is deemed acceptable access.

5. At the far end of the reservoir there is an old packhorse bridge, great for a game a Pooh Sticks!

6. When you are ready to head home, turn around and follow the same track along to the gate. Don’t forget to splash in the puddles!

Peak District Kids is a free online resource. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much!

Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Peak District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using the #peakdistrictkids hashtag so we can share with our wider community.

Or perhaps purchase a Peak District Kids iron-on patch. £1 from every sale of the iron-on patches goes towards the Peak District National Park Foundation, a registered charity established to raise funds to care for the Peak District National Park.