Padley Gorge Circular wins top UK walk title
Go Outdoors, a camping gear retailer, has crowned the Padley Gorge Circular in the Peak District as the UK's best walking route based on TripAdvisor reviews. The 9.5km trail in Longshaw Estate offers views across Derbyshire's Big Moor and has been described as 'the most magical and mystical walk in the Peak District' by visitor Zoe Tehrani.
What makes the trail special
The walk follows Burbage Brook, a rocky stream that one TikTok user likened to 'a scene from Merlin.' Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the trail is known for birdwatching, dragonflies, and moss-covered boulders. The circular route takes about 1.5 hours to complete and is considered easy, suitable for dogs on leads.
Pub access a key factor
To qualify for the ranking, each walk had to finish within easy reach of a pub, with service, beer selection, and roast dinner quality factored in. The 17th-century Grouse Inn serves as both start and finish point for the Padley Gorge Circular. Local guide Evelina Semenova recommends the pub's steak and ale pie as 'consistently excellent'.
Other top contenders
Studley Royal Park in North Yorkshire, with its 800 acres and 18th-century landscaped garden, was a runner-up. Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex, covering 245 acres and home to over 170 bird species, also ranked highly.
How to get there
The Longshaw Estate is about a 3.5-hour drive from London. Nearby pay-and-display car parks are available, along with some roadside parking. Grindleford station is the closest rail link, about a mile from the trailhead. Local bus services also stop near the walk.
