Meet: Thursday mornings at JG Graves Discovery Centre, Ecclesall Woods, S7 2QZ, entrance off Abbey Lane, in time to start walking at 10.30am. 

Day: Thursdays 

Time: 10.20 in time to start walking at 10.30 am

Meet: in the wooden shelter beside the car park for the Woodland Discovery Centre off Abbey Lane, S7 2QZ 

Toilets 
Uneven ground 
Some inclines 
May be muddy 
Refreshments available 
Rest stop available 
Public transport accessible 
Car parking nearby             

 

 

 

  Eccy woods meeting point Jan 2022 3 Eccy Woods meeting point 1 Jan 2022

Ecclesall Woods are situated in the south west of Sheffield, and at over 300 acres, they are the largest semi-natural woodland in South Yorkshire. They are an extremely popular visitor destination particularly valued for their wildlife, historic and archaeological features.

We gather for registration under the big wooden shelter to the right of the Discovery Centre (on the old Sawmill site) as you approach. People start arriving at about 10.15am  so they can pre-order their refreshments for after the walk. The one-hour walk begins promptly at 10.30am. We make full use of the network of woodland footpaths & bridleways and the main walk usually attracts 30-40 people of all ages from widely different backgrounds & experiences. Good friendships are forged whilst enjoying the delights of walking through ancient woodland that is full of interest all year round.

We take regular pauses during the walk and our trained volunteers also provide a shorter, flatter, walk for those who prefer a more leisurely pace. You don't have to walk in the rain if you don't want to but some of us do. You can tell from the picture below (taken in February 2019) that we prefer to walk in the sunshine!

Coffee from the Kiosk comes highly recommended and walkers enjoy a small discount!! The cakes are very good too allegedly.......

  Eccy Woods Feb 2019 Eccy Woods in the rain Feb 2018 

Buses:   The 218 Chatsworth and Bakewell bus operates a request stop service on Abbey Lane. You can ask to be set down right by the entrance!

Parking: On-site parking was expanded during lockdown but remains limited. There are parking reserves on Abbey lane and plenty of street parking on Whirlowdale Road between woods 1 & 2.

Toilets:   There is a porta-cabin in the car park nearest to the centre with toilet facilities.