Longshaw Estate toddler walk (1km, circular)

In a quiet corner of woodland, this Longshaw Estate walk offers accessible paths, fallen trees to balance along, dens to hide in, and bridges to toddle across and paddle under. It’s one of our favourite Peak District toddler walks, and will keep your little nature-explorers busy for hours.

Indeed, this walk has been specifically researched with toddlers in mind to get them walking and exploring. Whilst this walk is possible in an all terrain buggy, we do have a alternative pram friendly walk for Longshaw Estate with smoother footpaths, if you are looking for a pram friendly walk. Alternatively if you’re looking for a longer walk with young kids, try our our Padley Gorge walk, which loops into Longshaw Estate.

Map of the Longshaw walk for toddlers

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
	The Peak District: White Peak Area Map | Weatherproof | Peak…	£13.99	Buy on Amazon

This Longshaw Estate walk for toddlers follows the below map in a clockwise direction.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 1km/ 0.6 mile

TYPE OF WALK: circular, woodland walk

PARKING: Parking is at the main Longshaw National Trust Car Park (Woodcroft). Click here for Google Map location. Postcode S11 7TZ. This car park is free for National Trust members, otherwise it is £6 (up to 4 hours) and £8 (over 4 hours). Pay via cash or app.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sheffield-Castleton bus (271, 272) and the Sheffield-Tideswell bus (65) stop at Fox House. From here it’s a short walk to the car park, which is the start of this walk.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Fun bridges, a paddling spot, ancient woodland and great views.  Wide range of wildlife to spot, including deer, kestrel, sheep, tree creepers, woodpeckers and owls. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow 1-2 hours for this walk with toddlers and pre-schoolers.

STILES: No

TOTAL ASCENT: 20 metres

FACILITIES: The visitor centre and café for Longshaw Estate is ¾ of the way along the walk. There are also toilets here.

The route

START: Longshaw National Trust Car Park (Woodcroft)
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2658 8002
Post code: S11 7TZ
what3words: ///puzzle.stack.copy

Route follows a clockwise direction.

1. Facing downhill at the welcome cabin in the Woodcroft car park there is a small path leading to the left, signposted ‘woodland walk to café’. Just along this path you will notice a beautiful wooden bridge, perfect for playing ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and a great spot for a little paddle. You can get underneath the bridge easily from the far side.  

2. Ahead are some rocky steps and another bridge, often covered in tiny turkey tail fungi. Keep following the path along. There are some dens, fallen trees and lovely spots to play and explore. Blackberries and wild raspberries are plentiful in the late summer and it is fungi galore in the autumn.

3. When you reach the end of the path head left up the hill.  This area of woodland is abundant with birds and you may see deer! They are well camouflaged so keep a careful look out.

4. At the top you’ll reach a gate and old drystone wall. Head through the gate and follow the raised grassy path to the right.  It can get boggy along here and there are occasionally sheep and cows.  It’s perfect for acting out scenes from ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt‘, or try an find animal prints in the mud!

5. As you reach the end of this section, the drystone wall finishes and there is a gate back into the woodland on the righthand side.  Just before you take this path take a moment to pause and take in the views that open up in front of you, there’s a perfect rock for a snack stop too! You may spot a kestrel hovering overhead and sheep grazing.  

6. Head into the woods through this gate following the track downhill. There is a huge beech tree that was recently dismantled, and is now great for climbing on. As you reach the bottom of the path the café, toilets and visitor centre are on your left if you wish to use them. 

7. Take the path on your right leading back uphill towards the car park.  There is a lovely secondhand book cabin just before the car park, run by the National Trust.