Family-friendly things to do at Longshaw

Visitors climbing on a tree in the Owler Tor area of Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire — Explore Longshaw with your family | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Longshaw Estate provides a stunning backdrop for an adventure in the great outdoors. It’s a great hub to start from before you explore Burbage and the Eastern Moors, where you can enjoy the view from Dukes Seat or take a walk through Padley Gorge. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and how best to plan your day out.

Autumnal fun at Longshaw

There are lots of opportunities for autumnal adventures at Longshaw.

It is the season to explore the woodlands around Longshaw and through Padley Gorge to enjoy the spectacle of autumnal colour and crunching through leaves with each step you take. You can experience the season’s vibrant colours, in ancient woodlands, parkland and moorland.

Family of three walking through Longshaw during Autumn — Family enjoying Autumn at Longshaw | © ©National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Looking ahead to Christmas

There are lots of things happening at Longshaw to get you and your family feeling festive this year. From Christmas crafts to Breakfast with Santa alongside our Christmas tree sales. Find out more about all the festive activities taking place here this Christmas.

Family walks at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors

Whether you're looking for a short wander or a big adventure, Longshaw's a great place to come for a family walk. It’s a good hub to start from before you explore Burbage and the Eastern Moors, where you can enjoy the view from Dukes Seat or take a walk through Padley Gorge.

Longshaw is covered with a maze of footpaths, so let us help you find your way. We have three waymarked walks, all starting from outside the Longshaw Lodge – simply follow the coloured arrows. Take a photo of the map on the outside of the Welcome Building in the Woodcroft car park so you have a map with you at all times.

Short walk

For a short family wander follow the pink arrows from nearby the Longshaw Lodge to the pond. This route includes steps and goes across terrain that varies with the weather. There are fences in this area to keep the cattle separate from the pathway.

Longer walk

Want to venture further? Follow the pink arrows on a 1.5-mile circular walk to Padley Gorge, where paddling and picnics are popular, but please remember to take all your litter home with you. The circuit continues along the brook and back through twisting woods on a stone track, past boulders that you can picnic and play on.

Waymarked walks

There are two other waymarked walks, both starting from near the Longshaw Lodge. The orange walk is about 1 mile, and depending on the time of year can be accessible with a buggy or wheelchair.

Our rangers work hard to maintain this path but sometimes after heavy rainfall the path can present a challenging terrain for buggies and wheelchairs, so please bear this in mind when planning your trip.

For those wanting a little more of a challenge, the blue walk is a little longer and takes you on a 3-mile walk. This route includes kissing gates and a main road crossing.

Help look after the places you love to visit by taking only photographs and leaving only footprints (or pawprints) behind.

Children building a den from sticks at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire — Visitors at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images / Trevor Ray Hart

'50 things to do before you’re 11¾'

Challenge yourself to tick off the list of 50 outdoor adventures, from rock clambering to watching a sunset. How many can you do at Longshaw? Here's a few suggestions to get you started:

Visitors walking along the accessible path at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire — Try Longshaw's accessible route for a walk with all the family | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Wonderful wildlife to see at Longshaw

Take a look at some of the creatures great and small that you could discover on your next visit to Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors

Three red deer in a meadow at Longshaw looking at the camera. Two of them have new growth antlers at different stages. — Red deer in a meadow at Longshaw | © Kev Dunnington

Red deer like to roam at across the Longshaw, Burbage and Eastern Moors estate.

The red deer are familiar faces here. They roam freely but you can often see them in the meadows and woodlands. Please make sure you keep admire them from afar so you don't disturb them.

A close up of a Northern hairy wood ant | © Kev Dunnington

The Northern hairy wood ant

Meet some of the smallest residents of Longhsaw Estate. The northern hairy wood ant is a protected species. It depends on the honeydew produced by aphids which live in the canopy of oak, birch and pine trees. In return for the honeydew the ants protect the aphids from other predators. Spring and summer are perfect times to spot their trails from tree to nest across the estate. It is fascinating to watch them at work as they bring materials for the nest or go back and forth to bring home a meal.

A large red damselfly on the Eastern Moors resting on the reeds. Its delicate wings and black and red markings are clearly visible. — A large red damselfly on the Eastern Moors resting on the reeds and grasses. | © Kev Dunnington

A red damselfy

This colourful collection of wildlife was spotted enjoying the wet flushes, undisturbed river sections and bog habitat over on the Eastern Moors part of the Peak District. Broad bodied chasers, damselfly and marsh orchids are just a few of the species which benefit from the work the team Eastern Moors Partnership are doing to look after the landscape and make sure it stays wet for wildlife.

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