Kate
Jan 17, 20214 min
Find the perfect place to visit with this handy guide of places to visit in South Yorkshire which are ideal for children and dogs. Including parks, woods, playgrounds and reservoirs.
A– Agden Reservoir – Not buggy friendly but a good 2.5m walk with gentle inclines and woodland to explore around the reservoir. Plus feed the ducks in lower Bradfield afterwards and enjoy food at the local dog friendly pubs nearby.
B– Botanical Gardens – A calm oasis in the middle of Sheffield. Perfect stroll around lush gardens and squirrel feeding opportunities. Buggy friendly with some steep sections.
C - Clifton Park in Rotherham is great for buggies, scooters and bikes with all tarmac paths to follow around the park. A good sized playground for older and younger children. Water features and rocks also a nice feature. Some good off the lead opportunities for the pooch too as lots of large playing fields.
D – Dam Flask Reservoir – a good 5km circular walk around a reservoir with ‘beachy’ bits to play on and woodland to explore on the way around. Similar to Agden, there is a stream to play in at lower Bradfield and opportunities to feed the ducks.
E – Endcliffe Park – One of the bigger parks in Sheffield with a good (gated) playground. Good sized fields for off the lead opportunities, woodlands, streams and stepping stones. Can get it busy. Roadside parking available.
F – Forge Dam – Venture from Endcliffe Park up to Forge Dam on the paths and trails where another playground and café awaits you. Great linear walk.
G – Grenoside woods – Ancient woodland in Sheffield with an Enchanted Forest Trail which is perfect for children and toddlers (and dogs!). Go explore
H – Harthill Reservoir – A smaller reservoir in Rotherham but with 3 different trails depending on your ability. The shorter ones are buggy friendly. Also check out the small playground opposite too.
I – Ingbirchworth Reservoir – North of Sheffield is this stunning reservoir. Not ideal for buggies and no facilities, but a beautiful circular walk with some stunning scenery. Approx 2 miles.
J – John Lewis – If you didn’t know already, John Lewis store in Sheffield city centre allows dogs. Perfect if you are pottering around the peace gardens and city centre.
K – Kings Park, Retford – A beautiful park with a fantastic (gated) playground. There are buggy friendly paths to follow around te park, lots of playing fields and the canal is nearby for further walking routes.
L – Langold Country Park – A great place for dogs and children. A good (gated) playground and good paths around the lake, with different trails to follow depending on your ability. The walk through the woods takes you to the other side of the park where there is a café and skate park for older children too.
M – Millhouses Park – Another great buggy friendly find with tarmac paths and a good-sized playground (gated). A stream to explore, playing fields, café, boating lake and toilets are available.
N – Norfolk Park – Sheffield heritage at its finest. One of the largest parks in Sheffield, its also great for buggies and dogs. The playground has recently been renovated (gated) but the playing fields are vast for off the lead opportunities. Follow the heritage trail for a spot of history or head towards Clay wood and find Cholera Monument for fine views across the city.
O – Old Mineral Trail – based in Rotherham is a great linear walk with no frills. A good buggy friendly path and benches along the way, its perfect for learning to ride a bike or venturing out on the scooter.
P – Poolsbrook country park – A lovely walk around the lake and a (gated) playground in Chesterfield. Complete with café, toilets and car park.
Q - Queens Park – Chesterfield has this little hidden gem right near the city centre. It has a god café, sandpit, 2 playgrounds and lots of playing fields. The paths are tarmac so perfect for buggies, bikes and scooters. Kids will love circling the bandstand on their scooters. Chargeable parking. Café and toilets.
R – Rother Valley country park – a good 5km walk around 2 lakes on gravel paths. Its buggy friendly but a bit bumpy. There is a small playground (gated) and a café and toilets. There is also a sculpture trail (see the blog for more info) and lots of opportunities to venture off onto the Transpennine Trail if required.
S – Sandall Beat Wood – A great woodland to explore in Doncaster and its FREE. This is perfect for having the dog off the lead too. The playground has been vandalised so currently not available.
T - Thrybergh country park – a hidden gem in Rotherham invites you to walk around the lake (approx. 5km) and have a play on the small playground. There is a café and toilets and chargeable parking. Good duck/swan feeding opportunities.
U – Ulley Country Park – perfect for little legs as its approx. 3 km in length. Find th bird hide and see what wildlife you can spot and there is a great picnic area. Dogs on leads welcome due to fishermen and wildlife. Great for duck feeding.
V – Victoria Quays – venture out of the Sheffield centre and start a walk by the canal here. A few cafes and pubs welcome you by the water and you can set off on the 5 weirs walk from here too.
W – Worsbrough Mill – One of our favourite walks in Barnsley. The circular walk takes you around the reservoir, complete with a small playground, café and toilets. Chargeable parking. There is often a wildlife or Christmas trail taking place too.
X – heXthorpe Park, Doncaster – Ok, cheating a little bit – but this is a great park in Doncaster to explore, complete with playgrounds and an aviary. All dog friendly.
Y – Yorkshire Sculpture Park – Go and explore the arts and culture at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is perfect for walks depending on your ability. Lots to see and do, check out what’s on before you visit.
Z – Zorro Lounge at Fox Valley. Struggling with Z, but this place is a great dog and child friendly eatery and a perfect pit stop for exploring Broomhead reservoir nearby.