Wondering what to do this coming half term? Check out our Peak District October Half Term guide.
Longshaw Estate is a beautiful expanse of parkland, moors and ancient woodland. You’ll find yourself wanting to return again and again with so many different routes to try out. It’s great for kids with dens to play in, tree stumps to jump on, logs to balance on, and plenty of open space for them to burn some energy.
The surfaced footpaths make for a perfect Peak District pram-friendly walk. Although do not that the footpaths can be a little rocky in places; they are gravel paths rather than tarmac paths and can be a little rocky in places (an all terrain buggy is best). This is also a good walk option for the wetter months if you want to avoid muddy footpaths.
Starting and finishing at the National Trust Wooden Pole car park, the walk follows the woodland path onto the open parkland. Allow some time for the kids to explore near the pond and play in Boggart Burrow, and perhaps stop for a drink at Croft Cabin or Longshaw Café before heading across the grassland back to the car park.
If you’re looking for a walk to keep your active toddler busy and walking (rather than keeping them in a buggy), try our Longshaw walk for toddlers. Also, Longshaw Estate is right next to Padley Gorge, and you may want to try our Padley Gorge walk (which also includes part of Longshaw Estate). Please note that neither the toddler walk or Padley Gorge walk is pram-friendly.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, but I receive a small commission.
When planning your 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.
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 or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
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My Walks Log Book£10.95 -
Longshaw Estate 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.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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The Peak District: White Peak Area Map | Weatherproof | Peak… |
£11.95 |
Buy on Amazon |
This walk follows a clockwise direction.
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 £2.50 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.
Need to know
DISTANCE OF WALK: 3.7km (1.9 miles)
TYPE OF WALK: circular parkland walk suitable for pushchairs and buggies
PARKING: Parking for the start of this walk is at the National Trust Wooden Pole car park. Click here for Google Map location, postcode S32 3HX. This car park is free for National Trust members. For non-members, £6 all day parking (coin machine or pay by phone, code 803433).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sheffield-Castleton bus (271, 272) and the Sheffield-Buxton bus (65) stop at Fox House. From here you can walk into Longshaw Estate and pick up this walk from step 8.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful woodland and open parkland, lots of places for the kids to explore, dens and natural play areas.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: This walk can be done in 1 hour but with a picnic and time for the kids to play, allow 2-3 hours.
ACCESSIBILTY: Pram friendly, mixture of gravel and woodland paths, not too muddy.
TOTAL ASCENT: 72 metres
PUBLIC TOILETS: The Longshaw Café is a great stop for a bite to eat. There are toilets here too.
The route
START: National Trust Wooden Pole car park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2666 7904
Post code: S32 3HX
what3words: ///rounds.award.cage
Route follows a clockwise direction.
1. Starting from the National Trust Wooden Pole car park, walk back towards the entrance of the car park and take the path on your right-hand side next to the start of the stone wall.
2. Follow the woodland path for 650m. The path runs parallel to the road initially and then takes a right turn.
3. When you reach a crossroad in the paths, continue straight ahead following the signpost for Yarncliff and the orange-arrowed route. There’s lots of open parkland here for the kids to run around and conveniently placed wooden tree trunks to sit and watch them from. You may also find some dens to play in.
4. Continue for 450 metres until the path splits. Follow the path round to the right and over a little brook for a further 530 metres, passing through a wooden gate.
5. At the footpath junction, turn right and continue to follow the orange-arrowed route for 250 metres, through another gate until you reach the pond.
6. Walking alongside the pond, follow the path around to the left and continue straight ahead, passing through another gate. Expect the kids to disappear on this section of the walk; there are lots of places to explore including Boggart Burrow and things to play on like wooden stepping stones and balancing logs.
7. After 580 metres, you’ll come to a millstone with ‘Longshaw Estate’ engraved on it. Take the gate to your left and follow the path past Longshaw Lodge.
8. With Longshaw Café immediately in front of you, take a left to the junction, and then a right, following the signpost to ‘Woodcroft’. Follow the footpath around to the right, leading behind the lodge. Ignore the Visitors Information sign to your left.
9. Continue on the path towards the Wooden Pole car park for 800 metres, passing through a gate onto grassland. When the path starts to fork, bear to the right.
10. After 300 metres, you’ll see a gap in the stone wall on your right. Walk through this and you’ll find yourself back at the car park where you started.
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 by tagging @peakdistrictkids in your caption so we can share with our wider community.
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My Walks Log Book£10.95
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Want more ideas for family walks?
Best Family Walks in the Peak District
Pram Friendly Peak District walks
Toddler walks in the Peak District
Or, use the search walks page to find your perfect family walk.
Also, come and join our friendly Peak District Kids Facebook Group for any questions or to share photos of your walks.