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If you’re looking for a relaxing walk in 2026 with beautiful surroundings we highly recommend Longshaw Estate walks. The terrain is easy and there’s not too much hill climbing on these walks. Longshaw estate walks are a great way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with your family. One of the things we love about Longshaw Estate walks is the variety of scenery; expect to see small woodlands, plantations, fields, ponds, small winding paths and moorlands. The great news is that Longshaw Estate is FREE for the public to wander around. There are plenty of public footpaths and routes around the Longshaw Estate and beyond. You can also easily walk to Burbage Valley, Padley Gorge and Grindleford from the Longshaw Estate.
In this guide we recommend 3 Longshaw Estate walks of varying distance so that you can find the best route for you. Having grown up in Sheffield and explored the length and breadth of the Peaks District, we have LOADS of local knowledge that we’re super excited to share with you.
Definitely don’t miss our ultimate guide to the best and beautiful Peak District family walks.
How do you get to the Longshaw Estate?
The Longshaw Estate is conveniently located in the Peak District national park around 10km southwest of Sheffield, just next to the Fox House pub on the A625. To get to the Longshaw Estate you can take the 272 Sheffield-Castleton bus and get off the bus at the Fox House bus stop. From here walk a little way down the road, cross the road at the junction and then go left along the road a short way to find the entrance to the Longshaw Estate. If you are travelling to the Longshaw Estate by car there is also a car park.
When is the best time to visit the Longshaw Estate?
The Longshaw Estate can get very busy during peak times – especially weekends, public holidays and school holidays. If you’re visiting in peak times we recommend arriving early. Even at busy times it is still a lovely area for a walk – the only downside of visiting during a peak time is parking – which can be tricky in the area due to the close proximity to Sheffield.
Where do you park at the Longshaw Estate?
The main car park for the Longshaw Estate is the Woodcroft car park next to the Longshaw Estate office. This is a pay and display car park. The Woodcroft car park costs £3.50 to park up to 4 hours and £5.00 to park for over 4 hours. Parking is free for National Trust members.
Although all of our Longshaw Estate walks start from the Woodcroft car park you can actually park in other locations and adapt the routes accordingly. There are several great spots to park around the Longshaw Estate depending on where you want to start your Longshaw Estate walk. Some spots are free for parking. Other spots offer a higher capacity ideal for busy peak times. To help you plan your trip we have included this super helpful parking map to highlight some of the best parking spots around the Longshaw Estate. Click on the pins for more details.
Do you have to book the Longshaw Estate?
No, you do not need to book tickets or permits for the Longshaw Estate. The Longshaw Estate is FREE for members of the public to visit and walk around. There are plenty of public footpaths allowing you to explore the estate and make the most of the beautiful Peak District scenery.
Is the cafe open at Longshaw Estate?
The Longshaw Estate cafe is located at the visitors centre next to the Woodcroft car park (the main Longshaw Estate pay and display car park). The cafe at Longshaw Estate is open from 10am – 5pm daily and serves snacks, ice creams and hot drinks.
Are there toilets at Longshaw Estate?
Yes there are public toilets located at the Longshaw Estate visitors centre. These are the only public toilets in the area.
Three Longshaw Estate walks
There are of course LOADS of possible Longshaw Estate Walks. So to help you plan we have narrowed it down to 3 Longshaw Estate walks that capture some of the best bits of the area. Here are three walks with varying distances and highlights. Each of our Longshaw Estate walks has a map to help you navigate and enjoy this beautiful area.
A short walk via the Old Fishing Pond
This is the shortest of our Longshaw Estate walks. It should take around 40 minutes – 1 hour. This first walk is a short 3km Longshaw Estate walk allowing you to see the main sights of interest in the area. From the Woodcroft car park walk past the visitors centre to the main trail. Turn left and walk along the main trail past the Longshaw Estate Trust Offices. When you get to a junction after a short distance turn right and follow the path towards the woodlands. The path goes around the old fishing pond. Keep following the public footpath through the woods until you see a left turn. If you reach the road near Padley Gorge you have gone too far. Take the left turn and follow the path out of the woodlands and across the fields for around 500m. After around 500m follow the main trail round to the left and walk up this trail until you reach a cross road junction. Turn left at this junction to return to the start location.
A medium walk via the Old Fishing Pond and the Wooden Pole
This is a 4km walk which will take 1 – 1.5 hours. The route is very similar to the short 3km walk except you extend the end of the walk. When you get to the cross roads you keep going straight ahead and walk up to the Wooden Pole. Here is the full description of the route:
From the Woodcroft car park follow the main public footpath past the Longshaw Estate Trust Offices. When you get to a junction after a short distance turn right and follow the path towards the woodlands and the Old Fishing Pond. The path goes around the left side of the old fishing pond. Keep following the public footpath through the woods until you see a left turn. Take the left turn and follow the path out of the woodlands and across the fields for around 500m. After around 500m follow the main trail round to the left and walk up this trail until you reach a cross road junction. Keep going straight ahead here. Follow the path around to the left to reach the Wooden Pole car park. On the other side of the car park there is a public footpath that returns to the Longshaw Estate via the Wooden Pole.
A long walk via Grindleford Station Cafe and White Edge Moors
This is the longest of our Longshaw Estate walks. This 6km walk will take around 2 hours and includes an optional detour to the Grindleford train station cafe. Starting at the main Longshaw Estate car park (the Woodcroft car park) walk past the Longshaw visitors centre to the main trail. Turn left and walk along the main public footpath past the Longshaw Estate Trust Offices (The Longshaw Lodge). When you get to a junction after a short distance turn right and follow the path towards the woodlands. When you reach the old fishing pond turn left and follow the path. After around 500m you will see a left turn – keep following the path straight ahead. Follow the path along the top of the woodlands until you see a right turn down the hill. Follow this path down to the road. At this point you can either cross the road and walk down to Grindleford Station cafe. Alternatively follow the path back up through the woodlands and across the moorlands for around 500m. You will then meet a main trail at the edge of the woods. Turn right and follow this trail until you reach a main road (the A625). When you reach the A625 you will see a path leading up the hill on the other side of the road. Follow this path up the hill. After around 300m you will see a left turn. Follow this left turn and follow the path as it winds through small sections of woodlands and moorland. This path leads back to the A625. When you get back to the A625 cross the road and walk up the road a little way to the Wooden Pole car park. Take the public footpath to the right of the car park and follow it past the Wooden Pole and across the moorland back to the Longshaw Estate car park.
Other things to see and do near these Longshaw Estate walks
Our Longshaw Estate walks could be adapted to see some other top sites in the area: The Fox House pub, Burbage brook and Higger tor, Padley Gorge, Grindleford station cafe and Padley chapel, Froggatt Edge and Grindleford village are all a walking distance from the Longshaw Estate.
The Longshaw Estate is also reasonably close to Curbar Edge, for a scenic round walk. Don’t miss Stanage Edge home to the REAL Robin Hood’s cave (YES that’s for real!). If you’re looking for a great family day out check out Chatsworth House (great farm, gardens and play park). Further afield you can visit Ladybower Reservoir and Bamford Edge for an amazing panoramic view point. We also have a special guide with toddler friendly walks in the Peak District.
