Padley Gorge Trail, Hope Valley S32 2JA, Derbyshire
National Trust Padley Gorge
Ancient woodland
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2Burbage Brook runs through a narrow wooded valley of ancient sessile oak and birch, where the route passes close to the water and its rocky edges.
The appeal here is the close-grained combination of stream, boulders and ancient oak-and-birch woodland. A short, documented circuit gives visitors a practical way to experience the gorge without needing a long mountain day.
Atmospheric · Peaceful · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapPadley Gorge Trail, Hope Valley S32 2JA, Derbyshire
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow about an hour for the National Trust’s 3.68 km circuit from Longshaw café, which combines Longshaw meadow and pond with a walk through Padley Gorge. The gorge route has stiles and gates; check current conditions before you go.
Things to do
Walk the Longshaw and Padley Gorge circuit
Take the National Trust’s 3.68 km circuit from Longshaw café, linking meadow and pond with ancient sessile oak and birch woodland in Padley Gorge.
About 1 hour
Notice the stream-side terrain
The gorge’s walking route is described as passing beside the stream, with bridges and stepped or stone-pitched sections. Take care on the uneven, rocky ground.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; 3.68 km
Quick Escape: Longshaw to Padley Gorge
- 01
Start at Longshaw café, the National Trust route’s stated start point.
- 02
Follow the National Trust circuit through the wildlife-rich meadow and pond.
- 03
Continue into Padley Gorge’s ancient sessile oak and birch woodland.
- 04
Return by the full trail route; expect some stiles and gates.
Hidden details
Ancient sessile oak and birch — The National Trust identifies ancient sessile oak and birch woodland as a feature of the gorge. Look for the change in woodland character as the circuit leaves the Longshaw meadow and pond.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources; check current conditions before visiting.
The supplied sources describe the woodland and route but do not establish seasonal highlights or peak months.
The route includes stream-side terrain, stiles and gates. Check current path conditions before setting out.
The route
- stiles
- Some stiles and gates
- surface
- Good paths; some sections are stepped or stone-pitched, with rocky terrain beside the stream.
- distance
- 3.68 km (2.3 miles)
- duration
- 1 hour
- difficulty
- Easy
- waymarking
- Check before visiting
- route shape
- Circuit
- start point
- Longshaw café, grid reference SK264798
- parking start
- The National Trust lists pay-and-display car parks at Haywood, Wooden Pole and Woodcroft. Check current arrangements.
- Longshaw wildlife-rich meadow and pond
- Ancient sessile oak and birch woodland in Padley Gorge
- Burbage Brook and rocky stream-side paths
Worth pairing with
Longshaw meadow and pond
Included in the National Trust’s Padley Gorge circuit, making it a directly evidenced extension of the gorge walk.
What to look for
Notice how the route moves from Longshaw’s meadow and pond into the ancient sessile oak and birch woodland of Padley Gorge. Look for the brook and rocky stream edges described in the source material.
Best time to go
Check current conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not identify a definitive best season.
No specific best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A walking destination reached via the Longshaw area. The National Trust describes a short, easy walk through Padley Gorge; check current access and car-park arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The National Trust lists pay-and-display car parks at Haywood, Wooden Pole and Woodcroft; National Trust members park free. Check current arrangements before setting out.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Keep dogs on leads, as requested by the National Trust.
Accessibility
The source row reports that the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. The National Trust describes good paths with some stiles and gates; check route suitability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Stream
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around National Trust Padley Gorge
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
