Getting outside with the family was top of the list for a recent weekend outing. The circular walk from Low Bradfield to High Bradfield sounded to be just what we needed. I’ve just finished my first clinical placement as a student physio. Whilst I did get outside, standing outside patients’ houses in your ‘bare below the elbow’ tunic and PPE in wind, rain and snow, wasn’t the same! My legs wanted a stretch and some hills.
Low Bradfield is a pretty little village not far from Sheffield and on the edge of the Peak District. We parked beside the village green for our circular route, taking in High Bradfield and Agden reservoir before looping back round to Low Bradfield.
The weather was luckily playing ball and we had lovely sunshine for most of the way around. I think at one point the kids had their coats off. I found the route from the Bradfield walkers are welcome website, which has a list of fab looking walks in the area. The instructions were really good and although I took my OS map, I only needed to consult it a couple of times. Since the route was written there looks to have been some investment in lovely big stiles and kissing gates. There was quite a lot of uphill walking to High Bradfield. I think my calves and hamstrings might have been cursing my desire for hills. I am definitely out of practice on the old hill walking!
As we reached the churchyard at High Bradfield, the Sunday morning worshippers burst into song and there was the sound of hymns as we crept through the churchyard. I told the kids to be quiet, but then a very noisy sheep who was in the grounds starting baaing in a really loud deep voice. The area is so pretty and I can see why people might have chosen this as their resting place, the view from the churchyard was beautiful.
We had most of the route to ourselves. Only seeing the odd runner or dog walker. When we neared the reservoir there were a few more people about. From Agden reservoir it was then back into Low Bradfield and we made our way to the Schoolrooms tea room. Time for cake and a cuppa! The walk was approx. just over 5 miles and had taken us about three hours. We had worked up an appetite though. The tearooms was incredibly busy, the nice weather having brought lots of people out. Having passed the pub at High Bradfield on our walk, we decided to drive up and have a proper lunch before making our way home. Eating things slightly in the wrong order, but never mind. We were lucky to get a table in the Old Horns Inn and after debating over several things from the extensive menu, devoured our lunch. This fresh air and walking malarkey is hungry work. With legs and tummy fully satisfied with the day out, it was time for home.
Postcode: Low Bradfield S6 6LB
Facilities: There are public toilets in Low Bradfield, car park, pub and tea rooms. High Bradfield also has a pub.
The walk has fields, footpaths, woodlands, reservoir, stiles, kissing gates and beautiful views. It is not suitable for pushchairs.