This is a short walk from Sheffield train station that takes in Clay Wood and Norfolk Heritage Park while offering up a number of stunning views of Sheffield City Centre. While the walk will take you roughly an hour, this route gives you the perfect opportunity to take your time and explore the area, and even some ideal spots for a picnic. For dog walkers, you’ll also have ample opportunity for off-lead play.
Norfolk Heritage Park & Clay Wood Walk at a Glance
Distance: Roughly 2.7 miles / 4.5 km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Leisurely, but does have hills
Wildlife: None
Terrain: Concrete pathways and pavements, no special footwear required.
Traffic: This walk does cross and go along some roads, but has ample off-lead time as well.
Follow Along Walk
We’ve decided to start this particular walk at Sheffield train station, but if you wish to visit Clay Wood or Norfolk Heritage Park separately, then there is plenty of on-street parking for both.
Starting Point: Sheffield Train Station
This walk starts at the back exit of Sheffield Train Station, as you walk out of the double doors you’ll be greeted by the crossing across the tram tracks and a sign for South Street Park. Cross over.
After crossing over, we’re taking the sloped path rather than the steps. Follow the path as it winds up toward the road. At certain points of the year this path has pretty blossom trees either side.
As the path starts to head upward, if you look to your right you’ll already start to see great views of Sheffield’s city centre
As you reach the top of the path, you’ll find a perfect place to cross the road and head over to Clay Wood Bank
The path winds up the hill, and during Spring/Summer this hill is usually covered in wild flowers which make it all the more beautiful. As you wind up the hill you’ll struggle not to notice the great views of the city behind you.
Tip: This is a great inner city spot to watch the sunset.
At the top of the hill you’ll be greeted by Sheffield’s Cholera Monument. The monument was originally erected in 1834 in memory of the 402 victims of the Cholera epidemic that swept through the city a couple of years before.
After you’ve enjoyed the view, follow the path behind the monument. There’s a great area of grass here for your dog to run around on as well. We’ll be doing a lap of the Cholera Monument grounds.
Walk to the end of the path and continue to follow the path round to the right
Toward the end of the path before it starts to curve round, you’ll notice an opening heading into the trees. Head that way.
You can follow the path to the left which takes you down a dirt trail, or head to the end and onto the pathway and turn left. They both end up in the same spot.
Follow the path as far as it goes until you reach the exit of Clay Wood. You might want to shout your dog back before you reach the end as we’re heading back out onto the road.
Head along Clay Wood Road, as you reach the end, you’ll need to cross Granville Road which can be quite busy, so be careful. We’re going to be turning and heading down the road where you can see the car pulling out in the distance on the photo above (Norfolk Park Road)
Follow the road down the hill, past the Goals centre on your right and the School on your left. As the road flattens out you will eventually arrive at the rather grand looking entrance to Norfolk Heritage Park.
Head through the entrance way either side of the large gate. The tree lined entrance ways of Norfolk Park are an awesome sight, in Spring and Summer they’re lush and green, while in Autumn you’ll witness some amazing colours and fallen leaves which can make for a beautiful photo.
The walk around Norfolk Heritage Park is essentially a loop, and while we’ll guide you through that, this park is really worth spending some time in. Great open spaces in the middle of the park alongside children’s play areas. For now, lets follow the path up the park.
As you reach the top of the path you’ll join the Norfolk Heritage park loop, we will again be following the path upward.
SNEAKY ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Just before you reach the end of the path, you’ll notice a path to the right that looks like it is heading into a housing estate. If you follow this path and keep left you’ll follow a woodland path alongside a stream that heads to the top of the park. This trail is called Jervis Lum and is often much quieter than the main path. When you reach the top of this route, you’ll need to turn left and come back on yourself to meet up with our next point of interest.
Anyway, back to our path..
This hill will likely be the most challenging part of the walk, it can knock the wind out of you a little so take your time. The park is popular with runners, and this segment on Strava is known as the ‘Norfolk Park Eiger’ as runners look to test out their lungs with leg burning runs to the top.
As you reach the top, keep an eye out on the right-hand side for the little ‘Green Woman’ sculpture by Andrew Vickers in 2007 as modeled above by our Eddie, the sculpture represents spring and new life. It’s also worth checking out the deer and the troll sculpture hidden in a clearing just behind it, the sculpture was created because this area used to be a medieval deer park, and the troll is there because children once believed that a troll lived under the bridge on the Jervis Lum trail.
Back on the trail, as we approach the brow of the hill you can catch your breath. You made it! It’s all down hill from this point on. Take a breather and check out the archway.
The arch was once part of a much bigger building which was the original cafe in the park. This park was originally created in 1840 and gifted to the citizens of Sheffield by the Duke of Norfolk and was one of the first parks in Britain to be opened free to the general public. The original cafe burned down at some point, and all that remains is this archway.
But don’t worry – the new Norfolk Park cafe has been built just a little further down. An ideal spot for a cup of tea or a cooling drink to enjoy the epic views over the park and the city centre.
Just beyond the cafe there are two great play areas if you’re walking with children. When you’re ready to move on, continue to the follow the path down.
You might want to put your dog on a lead past the play area as it can be busy, especially on warm days. Once you’re past the play area you’ll be fine to let them off again.
The path is a straight walk down from here on, if you want to stay in the park you can take a left and do another loop.
Time to put your dog back on a lead as the next section will be along a road. Exit the park, across the road and slightly to the left you’ll spot Norfolk Road. That’s where we’re heading next.
The straight walk along Norfolk Road is lined with spectacular large old houses to catch a glimpse of as you walk. When you reach the next road, cross and continue straight along Norfolk Road.
Follow the path along Norfolk Road and a few hundred metres along the road you’ll start to notice The Cholera Monument grounds appear again on your left. It’s worth stopping and noting the detail and plaques on the gates.
Directly across the street, you’ll spot an impressive set of Gothic style buildings.
This is Shrewsbury Hospital. On his deathbed in 1616, The Gilbert Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury wanted to found a hospital a.k.a almshouses to look after 20 poor people. The original building fell into disrepair and a new site on Norfolk Road was chosen in the early 1800s, which is the building that still stands today.
Back on route, continue to follow the road to the end where you’ll once again start to see those great views over the city centre. Cross the road and head down to the barriers. This is a spot of many photos of Sheffield as you stand over the South Street amphitheatre with a full view of the city in front of you.
From here you can end your walk by heading down the ‘steel steps’ to the train station. However if you want to grab a bite to eat or a coffee, then continue to follow the road down alongside the famed Park Hill Flats.
Head down toward the red lamp posts and on the right with a wonderful outdoor seating area you’ll find a dog friendly cafe called South Street Kitchen. This makes for a perfect spot to relax after your walk and try out some of their tasty food, sweet treats and great coffee.
To finish the walk, follow the path opposite down past the South Street Park sign, the path descends back to the rear entrance of Sheffield Train Station.
This marks the end of the walk. We hope you enjoyed it and managed to get some great photos along the way. If you’re looking for more walks in and around Sheffield, check out our Sheffield Walks page.