Track through trees near the top of Wharncliffe Wood, north of Sheffield

Where to go · South Yorkshire

Forest bathing at Wharncliffe Woods

Steep oak and birch woodland below Wharncliffe Crags north of Sheffield, threaded with streams and old quarry workings.

Wharncliffe Woods cover the steep hillside below Wharncliffe Crags, about six miles north-west of Sheffield, running down towards the Don valley. Forestry England looks after the woods, which are mainly oak and birch, with streams cutting down the slope and quarry workings hidden among the trees. The crags above were quarried for quern-stones from the Iron Age into Roman times, and local legend puts the Dragon of Wantley in a cave up there.

The free Forestry England car park is on Woodhead Road just north of Grenoside, and the woods are open all day, every day. The ground is steep, so expect climbs and stream crossings on earth paths. Mountain bikers like the natural trails here, although there are no official bike routes; walkers and horse riders share the paths, so pick a side path off the main tracks for quiet time. There are no facilities on site.

Practical

Managed by
Forestry England
Parking
Free car park on Woodhead Road, just north of Grenoside; no designated accessible spaces
Terrain
Steep hillside with streams; earth paths and forest tracks
Nearest station
Deepcar, near the north end of the crags
Facilities
None on site
Opening and entry
Open 24 hours, free
Official page
forestryengland.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Wharncliffe Woods

More woodlands in South Yorkshire

All venues in South Yorkshire
Path through Anston Stones Wood near RotherhamAnston Stones WoodA wooded limestone gorge near Rotherham, with caves and rare limestone woodlandTrees in Ecclesall Woods, SheffieldEcclesall WoodsAround 350 acres of old deciduous woodland in south-west Sheffield, rich in woodland historyWoodland near Langsett Reservoir on the edge of the Peak DistrictLangsett Reservoir WoodsUpland oak and birch around a moorland reservoir on the Peak District edge

Photos: Anston Stones Wood, steven ruffles (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ecclesall Woods, Andrew Basterfield (CC BY-SA 2.0); Langsett Reservoir Woods, Chris Morgan (CC BY-SA 2.0).