An area of woodland between Abbeydale Road South and Ecclesall. Ecclesall Woods is the largest ancient semi-natural woodland in South Yorkshire and the “jewel in the crown” in our 1,500 hectare woodland estate.
Admission and opening times
Ecclesall Woods is open at all times and there is no admission charge.
The Woodland Discovery Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm.
Features and facilities
Ecclesall Woods Discovery Centre
- crafts courses
- public events
- family activities
Woodland Coffee Stop
- hot and cold drinks
- snacks
Toilets
- on site public toilets
- Abbeydale Miniature Railway
- rides for children
Abbeydale Miniature Railway
- rides for children
Getting to the park
Walking and cycling
The woods are a 30 minute cycle from the city centre.
Public transport
The nearest tram bus stop is on Abbey Lane and takes around 30 minutes to get to from the city centre.
About the landscape
The site is managed for the benefit of wildlife and visitor access. There are two roads and over 15km of public footpaths running through the woods as well as the Abbeydale miniature railway.
The presence of very large, mature Sweet Chestnut and scattered mature Pine and Larch contribute greatly to the amenity of the site. Blocks of over-mature, large spreading Beech are of particular aesthetic appeal and unique to this part of Sheffield. While these species are introductions, the retention and replacement of a proportion of these species and character types is important for both aesthetic and historic reasons.
The site is of major archaeological and historical interest, including features from pre-history through to the Middle Ages, with extensive evidence of traditional woodland management and associated industries.
