Sheffield Circular via Porter, Limb, Sheaf and Gleadless Valleys Walk

This walk leads from the hustle and bustle at the centre of one of the most populous British cities through gradually less urban areas into excellent walking country – with ancient escarpment woodlands, tumbling streams, panoramic views and plenty of bluebells in season – through the scenic, wooded valleys of Sheffield’s south west, the greenest and cleanest of Britain’s large towns.

Escape from Sheffield’s City Centre, first along streets and through the atmospheric landscaped Victorian General Cemetery, then the woodlands of the municipal Endcliffe Park and the narrow, wooded Porter Valley (part ancient woodlands, part plantation or meadows) to a viewpoint on the edge of moorlands at the fringe of the Peak District, and from there to the early lunch option (with views) in Ringinglow.
Continue by descending through the steep-sided Limb Valley, Whirlow Brook Park and Ecclesall Woods to Dore, a late lunch stop and your first chance for an early finish: a train or a bus back to the City Centre. Several other opportunities for early finishes by bus arise in the further stages of the walk, whose following woodlands and valleys offer somewhat diminishing returns in pleasure and in ‘otherness’.
From Dore you climb once again through Ladies’ Spring Wood and Chancet Wood to Graves Park. From there the walk continues through the Gleadless Valley and Meersbrook Park back to the City Centre, but for the return to Sheffield Midland Station you’ll need to take a bus, regardless of where you finish.
The route includes large parts of the waymarked ‘Sheffield Round Walk’, but diverges in places. Opportunities to avoid most of the hard surface walking at the start are described.

To cut some – or all – of the tarmac-heavy urban stretches at the start, take one of the bus shortcuts, either from Sheffield Interchange (150m from the train station), or a little higher up the hill in the City Centre along Arundel Gate (bus stops change all the time, check online for up-to-date information).

• cut 1.6 km net: bus 218 to Sheffield Cemetery;
• cut 3.2 km net: buses 6/65/271/272 to Endcliffe Park;
• cut 3.8 km net: bus 120 to Whiteley Wood;
• cut 6.2 km net: bus 120 to Forge Dam Café.

You can take a train back to Sheffield from Dore & Totley Station (15.0 km/9.4 mi) on the Hope Valley Line (8 mins journey time).
You can take a bus back to the City Centre from many places along the route, from Dore onwards. See the route map for the exact location of the bus stops.

Sheffield (Midland) station, map reference SK 359 870, is 227 km north north west of Charing Cross, 54m above sea level, and in South Yorkshire. It is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 118 mins Mondays-Saturdays, longer on Sundays).

Saturday Walkers' Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

Endcliffe Park Café Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, South Yorks, S11 7AB (0114 266 3044). The Endcliffe Park Café is located 4.1 km (2.6 mi) into the walk.
Forge Dam Café Carr Forge Dam, Fulwood, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 4GN (0114 230 9248). The Forge Dam Cafe is located 7.0 km (4.4 mi) into the walk on the fringes of Sheffield, on the border of the Peak District and a very early lunch stop.
The Norfolk Arms 2 Ringinglow Village, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S11 7TS (0114 230 2197). The Norfolk Arms is located 10.2 km (6.4 mi) into the walk and the recommended early lunch stop.
The Summer House 289a Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield, South Yorks, S17 3LB (0114 236 1679). The Summer House is located 15.0 km (9.3 mi) into the walk and the recommended late lunch stop. The Summer House sits a short walk from Dore & Totley Station on the Hope Valley Line.

The Rose Garden Café Graves Park, Hemsworth Road, Sheffield S8 8LL (0114 258 2705). The Rose Garden Café is located 60m off-route, 20.4 km (12.7 mi) into the walk, and a timber framed café.
The Water Tower Hemsworth Road, Norton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 8LN (0114 327 0795). The Water Tower is located 21.3 km (13.3 mi) into the walk.
The Sheffield Tap Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2BP (0114 273 7558). The Sheffield Tap is located within Sheffield Railway Station (in the former Edwardian Refreshment Room & Dining Rooms), and accessed either via Platform 1B or from Sheaf Street. It is noteworthy for its restored early 20th century interior and its selection of quality cask ales and beers from around the world. The bar has won the National Railway Heritage Award and the Cask Ale pub of the year award.

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jul-21 Thomas G