National Park Walks with Kids: More great Peak District walks
Posted by Sarah, (@weebananafeet) Mum of 2 and Little Trekkers Operations Manager shares her favourite walk in the Peak District National Park with us as part of our national Park walks with kids series, for National Walking Month. on 30th Apr 2022
SARAH (@WEEBANANAFEET), MUM OF 2 AND LITTLE TREKKERS OPPERATIONS MANAGER SHARES HER FAVOURITE WALKS IN THE PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK WITH US AS PART OF OUR NATIONAL PARK WALKS WITH KIDS SERIES, FOR NATIONAL WALKING MONTH.
PADLEY GORGE AND BOLEHILL QUARRY CIRCULAR FROM SURPRISE VIEW CAR PARK
Approx 2.5 miles long
Steep in places, terrain usually uneven, so not suitable for pushchairs or those who are unsteady on their feet. Good footwear is recommended.
Time taken, approx. 2.5 hours (depends on your lunch stop!)
There are toilet facilities for customers at the cafe
This walk is our family favourite. We love the walk down through Padley Gorge in the different seasons, but Autumn is my absolute favourite as the colours in the leaves are stunning. It is steep in places, as you are walking down through the gorge and then back up through Bolehill Quarry. But my 2 children have always managed it without problems.
We park at Surprise View Car Park, the car park is a decent size and we have always been able to find a space when we go (but we do generally avoid peak times) There is also parking at the Longshaw Estate, and if you are planning on walking down and back up the Gorge, this is a good option. But we tend to make a circular route out of it and walk back up through Bolehill Quarry (really popular with rock climbers) The different landscapes in both areas make the walk more interesting.
As you come out of the quarry and head back up towards the road, there are many old mill stones littered on the side of the path, these ones are actually thought to be pulp stones and were most likely used for grinding wood pulp for paper in the late 19th century, a link back to the history of the area.
We always break the walk in half with a stop at Grindleford Station café. It is a real reward to aim for, it has a no nonsense but large menu and there is something for everyone. And you can order your hot drinks in either pint or half pint sizes! The café gets really busy, especially at weekends and during the school holidays, but there is lots of outdoor seating and a heated outbuilding, so you can usually get a seat if you don’t mind where you sit.
Surprise view car park details:
Address: Sheffield Road, Hathersage, Derbyshire, S32 1
Charges apply from 9am – 6pm
Up to 1 hour £1.50
Up to 2 hours £2.50
Up to 4 hours £4.00
All day £4.75
All money raised in the car park is spent on looking after the Peak District National Park and helping people enjoy it.
At peak times, there is often a coffee van situated in the car park here too.
Grindleford Station Café opening times:
Monday:
09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday:
09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday:
09:00 - 16:00
Thursday:
09:00 - 16:00
Friday:
09:00 - 16:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 17:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 17:00
