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.

A summer of play and adventure at Longshaw

There’s plenty to do every day this summer as you discover ancient woods, parkland and the heather moorlands at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors. Young ones can let off steam with outdoor activities, then enjoy a break in the café - the perfect place to enjoy the view on a summer day.

As part of our Summer of Play programme, sponsored by Staring Bank, you’ll find lawn games and nature-themed activities available seven days a week from 19 July to 1 September. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer holidays there are drop-in activities in the Moorland Discovery Centre ideal for children and the young at heart.

All the activities are free of charge and no booking is required, but please note that on busy days we may assign a morning or afternoon timeslot to you.

Join us for:

Orienteering at Moorland Discovery Centre Longshaw, 30 July and 31 July 9.30am – 15.00pm. Test your map reading skills with our orienteering events. With no experience required you can choose from two routes, one perfect for younger children and another ideal for those looking for more of a challenge.

Soft archery at Moorland Discovery Centre Longshaw 6, 7, 27, 28 August 10.00am to 15.00pm. Take aim this summer, with our popular soft archery sessions. No experience is needed as we will give you all the support you need to hit the target.

Summer crafts at Moorland Discovery Centre Longshaw 13, 14 August 10.00am to 15.00pm. Get creative with a selection of nature-themed crafts, suitable for all ages and abilities. Take your creations home to remind you of your visit.

Hobby Horse Trials at Moorland Discovery Centre Longshaw 20, 21 August 10.00am to 15.00pm. Complete the obstacle course with your trusty steed at the Moorland Discovery Centre.

Three boys running at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire — Children playing at Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

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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