Educational visits to Longshaw Estate

We offer a fun range of outdoor learning activities to engage Early Years and Key Stage 1 with the environment.

Visits are delivered from the Moorland Discovery Centre, a purpose built activity centre, by our experienced leaders.

The habitats and landscape provide a stimulating back drop to learning, play and adventures, whilst also offering safe access and facilities needed for younger pupils

Early years foundation stage programmes

• Woodland Tales - using popular children's stories such as the 'Gruffalo' (April-October)
• Seasonal Change in the Peak District - this includes learning about how animals adapt to the seasons and natural crafts (October-February)

Key stage 1 programmes

• Woodland Tales - (April-October)
• Nature Discovery - (April-October)
• Seasonal Changes in the Peak District - (October-February)
• Plants. glorious plants. (April-October)
• Map Skills (April-November)

We offer a broad and exciting range of outdoor and environmental educational activities for Key Stages 2. All our programmes support a creative curriculum to inspire and engage pupils.

The habitats and landscape surrounding our learning centres and fieldwork localities across the Peak District National Park provide a stimulating back drop to learning and adventures.

Key Stage 2 programmes

Click the links for more details:

• Y3/4 River Study - (March-November)
• Habitats - (April-October)
• Peak District Explorers - Map Skills - (March-November)
• Mountains and Valleys - (April-October)
• Discover the Peak District (March-November)

We strive to make our visits accessible to all. Days can be tailored to your group’s needs.

Whilst many of our sites are accessible to people with limited mobility, it is recommended to discuss your particular needs with us before booking.

Valid from 1 January 2026 to 31August 2026.

We might be able to offer a small subsidy towards your transport costs, if your school has a high percentage of students in receipt of Pupil Premium.

Payment is invoiced after your visit. If you need to raise a purchase order as part of the invoicing process, please ensure we receive full details before your visit.

Our guided school offer runs from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Please contact us if these times are not possible to discuss options.

We encourage all teachers to make a free preliminary visit to the site. Please email mdc@nationaltrust.org.uk to arrange this.

Teachers, group leaders and supporting adults are responsible for:

• Informing us in advance of any medical, behavioural or additional educational needs within your group.
• Ensuring pupils receive any required medication during the visit.
• Supervising behaviour and maintaining appropriate discipline throughout the day.
• Ensuring all accompanying adults are fit and able to participate fully.
• Making sure participants arrive suitably dressed for outdoor activities and changing weather conditions.
• Providing welfare items such as sun cream, water bottles and packed lunches where appropriate.
• Informing us of any significant changes to group numbers before the visit.
• Ensuring your school or organisation has appropriate insurance cover.

Please note: failure to meet these responsibilities may result in activities being adapted or cancelled for safety reasons.

All National Trust visit leaders:

• Are trained in outdoor leadership, group management and dynamic risk assessment.
• Hold current Outdoor Emergency First Aid certification.
• Carry first aid equipment.
• Have up-to-date DBS checks and safeguarding training.
• Are familiar with the sites, activities and emergency procedures.

We take safety seriously and operate a comprehensive risk management system, including:

• Generic Risk Assessments for all visits
• Site-specific Information Sheets
• Dynamic Risk Assessments carried out on the day to respond to changing conditions

Teachers’ notes and risk assessments are available here.

Longshaw is an exposed upland environment and weather conditions can change quickly, so it’s important that everyone comes prepared for a full day outdoors.

We recommend students bring:

• T-shirt (long-sleeved in cooler weather)
• Warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof coat
• Long trousers such as joggers or leggings (avoid denim jeans, which can become cold and uncomfortable when wet)
• Waterproof trousers, if available
• Wellington boots with two pairs of socks for wetter visits such as River Studies
• Warm hat, gloves and scarf (these can be carried in a bag if not needed)
• Packed lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle
• Rucksack-style bag to carry belongings
• An empty carrier bag to sit on at lunchtime

• Any required medication

• Cameras or tablets if you wish to record the visit

If wellington boots are not available, sturdy waterproof boots or strong outdoor shoes are suitable for most visits. Please check with your teacher if unsure.

Top Tips

• Several thinner layers are usually warmer and more comfortable than one bulky layer.
• Bring a spare jumper or warm layer in your bag — it can feel much colder on the hills than in town.
• Please check the weather forecast before your visit and dress appropriately for the conditions.

A limited number of spare waterproofs and wellies may be available by prior arrangement.

Depending on the season, sun hats, sun cream and insect repellent may also be needed.

Schools and group organisers are responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision ratios for their visit, in line with their own policies and Local Authority guidance.

There is no single fixed adult-to-pupil ratio for outdoor learning visits. Appropriate supervision levels are determined through risk assessment and depend on factors including:

• The type and duration of the activity
• The location and environment
• The age, ability and needs of the group
• Behavioural, medical or additional educational needs
• Weather and ground conditions
• The experience and competence of accompanying adults

National Trust staff also assess supervision requirements as part of our own risk management procedures. However, National Trust staff cannot be counted within your school or organisation’s staffing ratios.

For many visits at Longshaw, groups with experienced accompanying adults may operate comfortably within commonly used school guidance ratios. As a general guide, schools often work to the following starting points:

• Years 1–3: approximately 1 adult to 6 pupils
• Years 4–6: approximately 1 adult to 10–15 pupils
• Years 7+: approximately 1 adult to 15–20 pupils

Early Years groups must meet statutory staffing requirements and should carry out their own detailed risk assessment before visiting.

Please note that some visits or groups may require significantly higher levels of supervision, particularly where there are additional medical, behavioural or mobility needs, more challenging terrain, or changing environmental conditions.

For younger groups, it is particularly helpful if each supporting adult is assigned responsibility for a named small group of children before the visit.

Parent helpers and accompanying adults play an important role in supporting supervision and pastoral care throughout the day.

• Read all teacher information, site information sheets and risk assessments.
• Share relevant information with accompanying adults and pupils.
• Ensure all participants are dressed appropriately for outdoor conditions.
• Allow plenty of travel time and provide directions to your coach company.
• Inform us as soon as possible of any cancellations or significant changes to numbers.
• Let us know in advance if your group plans to use the café during the visit.

• Meeting point: Moorland Discovery Centre

• Main car and coach park: Woodcroft Car Park
• Postcode: S11 7TZ
• What3Words: loaded.audio.soccer

Educational groups booked with the Moorland Discovery Centre can park free of charge.

• On arrival, your group will be met by a member of the Welcome Team.
• Coach drivers will be directed to the designated coach parking area in Woodcroft car park.
• Please organise pupils into small supervised groups when using the toilets to avoid overcrowding.
• If eating lunch on site, please use outdoor spaces away from the café area, which can become very busy.
• Please take litter home or use the bins provided. Bin bags can be supplied if needed.

To help visits run smoothly and safely:

• Teachers and supporting adults should supervise an allocated small group of pupils throughout the day, including at lunchtime.
• Pupils must not work or explore anywhere on the Estate unsupervised.
• Large groups should split into smaller units while moving around the Estate.
• School staff remain responsible for behaviour management and first aid provision.
• All visitors should follow the Countryside Code and help us “Respect, Protect and Enjoy” this special landscape.
• Pupils should show consideration for other visitors, National Trust staff and local residents.

Please note: schools undertaking hydrology fieldwork may only use the approved fieldwork locations shared before the visit.

We welcome feedback to help improve our educational visits. Evaluation forms may be provided on the day or sent afterwards.

Please note: invoices are based on the number booked or the number attending on the day, whichever is greater.

Thank you for volunteering to support a school visit to Longshaw Estate. Parent helpers play an important role in helping visits run smoothly, safely and enjoyably for everyone.

Parent helpers usually support the supervision of a small group of pupils throughout the day. You are not expected to be an expert in the curriculum topic — your main role is to support the class teacher and help pupils engage with the activities.

Please make sure you:

• Know which pupils are in your group and can recognise them easily.
• Read any information provided by the school about the visit.
• Wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for the weather and terrain.
• Inform the class teacher of any relevant medical information about yourself.
• Ensure you are comfortable with a full day outdoors, which may include walking on uneven ground.

We ask parent helpers to:

• Help keep pupils together and supervised at all times.
• Encourage pupils to participate and explore ideas for themselves.
• Follow instructions from National Trust staff and school staff.
• Avoid using mobile phones during activities.
• Regularly check that all pupils in your group are present.
• Avoid taking photographs of children unless agreed by the school.

If your own child is attending the visit, please ensure you provide equal supervision and support to all pupils in your group.

If you have any concerns during the day, speak to the class teacher or a member of school staff as soon as possible.

• National Trust Leaders lead activities and manage site safety.
• Teachers and school staff remain responsible for pupil behaviour, discipline and overall supervision.
• Parent helpers support teachers and help supervise smaller pupil groups.

We really value your support and hope you enjoy your visit to Longshaw Estate.

The Longshaw Estate is a National Trust property on the edge of the Peak District National Park, open to the public year-round. The Moorland Discovery Centre (MDC) is our outdoor learning base for Early Years, primary, secondary and higher education groups.

The Estate includes a variety of habitats and landscapes including:

• Moorland
• Woodland and woodland pasture
• Meadows
• Streams, ponds and rivers
• Padley Gorge and the Burbage Valley

Most routes use surfaced paths, although some areas include uneven ground, protruding stones, tree roots, mud and narrow gates.

Toilets are available:

• Inside the Moorland Discovery Centre (including accessible toilet facilities)
• Near the café visitor facilities

Please supervise pupils closely when using facilities.

Groups using the Moorland Discovery Centre may use indoor classroom space or outdoor areas for lunch and breaks.

For outdoor picnic lunches away from the centre, toilet and handwashing facilities may not always be available, so schools may wish to bring hand sanitiser.

Please:

• Avoid busy café seating areas unless purchasing food and drinks there
• Take litter home or use the bins provided
• Let us know in advance if your group intends to use the café

Hot drinks can be provided for accompanying adults using the Moorland Discovery Centre.

Distances vary depending on your programme and route.

Examples include:

• Mountain Environment Day: approximately 4km
• River Study Day: approximately 1.5km
• Habitats Day: approximately 2km

Please contact us before your visit if any member of your group has mobility or access requirements.

• Mobile phone signal is generally good across the Estate, but can be poor inside the Moorland Discovery Centre building.
• All National Trust leaders carry emergency contact information and first aid equipment.

Nearest hospitals:

• Sheffield Children’s Hospital
• Northern General Hospital
• Royal Hallamshire Hospital (Minor Injuries)

Groups undertaking hydrology or river fieldwork may only use the approved study sites provided before the visit. Alternative sites must not be used.

Approximately 7.5 miles from Sheffield, off the A625 Sheffield–Hathersage Road. Follow brown National Trust signs to Woodcroft Car Park.

Grindleford Station:

• Approx. 1 mile to the visitor centre
• Approx. 100m to Padley Gorge

• First Bus 272: Sheffield–Castleton
• TM Travel 214: Sheffield–Matlock

Use the Fox House bus stop for access to the Estate.