Longshaw: the Peak District estate on Sheffield's doorstep

One of the joys of living in Sheffield is how quickly the city gives way to the Peak District. Head out along the A6187 towards Hathersage and you soon reach the Longshaw Estate, 747 acres of moorland, woodland and farmland cared for by the National Trust.

Visitors owe a lot to Ethel Haythornthwaite. In 1928, when the estate was threatened with development, she led an urgent public appeal that helped the Peak District and South Yorkshire branch of CPRE raise the money to buy it. The estate was given to the National Trust in 1931, and Haythornthwaite went on to help create Sheffield's Green Belt.

Longshaw Lodge was built by the Duke of Rutland, who acquired the estate in 1855, for shooting parties. The estate is also home to sheepdog trials, held since 1898 and said to be the oldest run every year in England.

The walking here is superb. The National Trust describes the area as excellent walking country with ancient woods and tumbling streams, and routes range from the easy 2.3-mile Padley Gorge and Burbage Brook walk to a six-mile red deer circular taking in Froggatt, Curbar and White Edge. Padley Gorge is described as one of the furthest inland examples of temperate rainforest in the UK, and is a breeding ground for pied flycatchers, wood warblers and hawfinches.

There is plenty for families too. This autumn brings a Halloween digital trail, an Autumn Trail, Nature Tots sessions and free Wednesday social walks from October to December, with a winter reindeer trail to follow. The Longshaw Cafe serves drinks, cakes and seasonal lunches, and The Book Den second-hand bookshop opens daily.

For a longer stay, the National Trust offers two holiday lodges on the estate, Yarncliff Lodge and White Edge Lodge.

You can leave the car at home. Buses from Sheffield stop at Fox House, a short walk away, and Grindleford Station is about a mile and a half away by an uphill footpath. The estate is open dawn to dusk, and details are on the National Trust website.