Group and school visits at Longshaw

Family and community work

There are many programmes on offer at the centre that meet the varied needs of community and family groups. We aim to develop lifelong learning opportunities that encourage groups of all ages to experience and enjoy the Peak District National Park. Please contact us if you and your group would like to organise an educational fun day out at the Longshaw Estate.

Contact the Moorland Discovery Centre

For booking, education programme information and other enquiries please call 01433 637907 or email mdc@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 800 2329 or email us at NTTravelTrade@capita.co.uk.

Self-led school visits

Many schools and groups choose self-led visits to the estate. Here are a few things to remember to make sure your visit runs smoothly if you choose this option.

It is important to tell us you’re coming to Longshaw if you choose this option because we can help you get the most out of the day by:

• Helping you choose an area where there won’t be other schools working on the day of your visit.

• Booking a date and providing the permission you will need to do fieldwork (including river studies and hydrology). This is crucial because we have to manage the amount of people working on the land and rivers in our care because they are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas. It is vital we protect them. Natural England has given us permission to allow educational visits to take place, but we must make sure that these are done in a way that doesn’t damage or negatively impact the landscape or wildlife. If you do come without permission, we can ask you to leave.

• We can check parking availability and reserve you a space. Please note: Coach/minibus parking is limited (including pick-up and drop-off) and must be pre-booked before your visit by calling 01433 637907. Please note: There is a facilities fee of £2/student which includes parking and use of facilities such as toilets. However, if you have an Educational Group Access Pass parking is free but you must still book to guarantee a space.

• Discussing the use of toilet and refreshment facilities to make it easier for you to manage your group.

Education Group Access Pass

If your school has a National Trust Education Group Access Pass there will be no facilities fee charged when you visit Longshaw. Please bring and show your membership card for free parking during your visit.

Schools can benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which is an annual fee giving free access to the whole school group at National Trust places. The pass/membership reduces the cost of visiting for you and means we receive money to help with conservation. Find out more and join here .

Responsible visits

The estate is made up of large areas of moorland, woodland, farmland, streams and ponds. It’s home to specially protected areas which are important for nature and wildlife. Here are a few simple ways you can help us to protect these precious places for future generations to enjoy and learn from:

• If your visit includes any element of field work (e.g., river study, soil sampling, surveying habitats) on the Longshaw Estate, then you must obtain permission to do so prior to your visit. Please call 01433 637907 or email mdc@peakdistrict.gov.uk to arrange this

• Follow the countryside code and make sure you take all your litter home, close gates and be respectful to the landscape and wildlife.

Thank you for your sensitivity to the special nature of the site.

Booking your group visit to Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors

Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors are the perfect place for a self-led or guided educational visit. If you would like to plan your visit, please contact us at mdc@peakdistrict.gov.uk .