Longbow Venues Conquers 30KM Peak District Challenge, Raising £6,000+ for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
- Guild Secretary
- Sep 9
- 5 min read
On Tuesday 2nd September, twenty‑five colleagues from independent Peak District hospitality business, Longbow Venues, laced up their boots for a bespoke 30km charity hike that linked four of the group’s pubs and hotels, raising more than £6,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
The route, designed and guided by Lizzy Mills and her team at What’s Not To Hike, showcased everything from wild Dark Peak moorland to classic limestone dales and village greens.
The group set off at 8am and crossed the finish line at 4.30pm, clocking more than 6 hours on the move, 2,016 ft of elevation, and, for most, 40,000–42,000 steps. Jess from The Maynard, proving that small strides add up, logged an eye‑watering 48,000 steps.
A route with purpose
The day began with breakfast rolls at The Peacock at Owler Bar, where Area Manager Charlotte and the chef arrived at 7am to fire up the griddle. From there, the team struck out over Totley Moor with sweeping views of the Longshaw Estate, climbed through banks of heather and fern to the gritstone tors of Mother Cap and Over Owler Tor, then descended past Padley Chapel into Grindleford.
A restorative coffee‑and‑brownie stop at The George in Hathersage was followed by a sunlit picnic lunch in The Maynard’s gardens.
In the afternoon, the route left Grindleford over Froggatt Bridge and on to the historic village of Stoney Middleton, before climbing into the limestone quiet of Coombs Dale and dropping down to Great Longstone. A short stretch of the Monsal Trail then brought the team into Ashford‑in‑the‑Water and a jubilant finish at The Ashford Arms - medals in hand and a celebratory beer, gin, soft drink, or fizz.
Moments from the trail
There was plenty of Peak District humour to lighten the hard miles. The team learned that:
Josh from The Ashford Arms is not only a farmer but also a secret TikTok micro‑influencer.
Chris from Maintenance tackled the entire hike in jean shorts; even "butt cream" could not spare his thighs by the end.
Steve, Longbow Venues Operations Director, headed straight from the finish to coach his son’s football training and felt it the next day!
Alice, Area Manager, had her camel pack fitted upside down and spent half the route wondering why no water was coming through.
They passed the homes of three teammates (Rob, Vic and Chris) but nobody ducked out in favour of a sofa, and no emergency cup of tea materialised.
Two wild‑swimming opportunities were politely declined.
Four‑legged morale officers, Nel and Teddy, joined for half the day.
Late on, car‑key logistics added one final twist when a set was found at Owler Bar while the car waited at The Ashford Aarms; a swift husband rescue solved it!
Rob Hattersley, Managing Director, Longbow Venues, said:
“I could not be prouder of the team. They took on tough miles with big smiles and brilliant humour, and they did it for a hospital that means the world to families across our region. Thank you to Lizzy and What’s Not To Hike for a superb route, to our chefs and managers for the fuel stops, and to everyone who has donated. Every step shows what Longbow is about: people, place and pulling together for a great cause.”
A spokesperson for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity added:
“Huge thanks to the Longbow team for going the distance. Fundraising like this powers specialist care, research and family support, and we are grateful for every mile they walked and every pound supporters give.”
How to support
The walk has raised more than £6,000 to date across three different JustGiving pages. Donations remain open via the team’s main JustGiving page: justgiving.com/team/longbow, and messages of encouragement on social media are very welcome.
At a glance
Participants: 25 colleagues
Funds raised (so far): £6,000+
Distance: approximately 30km
Elevation gain: 2,016 ft
Time on feet: Roughly 6 hours 30 minutes (8am–4.30pm with breaks)
Steps: most 40,000–42,000, with one heroic 48,000
Route highlights: Totley Moor, Longshaw Estate, Mother Cap & Over Owler Tor, Padley Chapel, Froggatt Bridge, Stoney Middleton, Coombs Dale, Monsal Trail, Ashford‑in‑the‑Water
Canine companions: Nel and Teddy
Full route
The Peacock at Owler Bar → Totley Moor → Longshaw Estate → Mother Cap & Over Owler Tor → The George, Hathersage → Padley Chapel → The Maynard, Grindleford → Froggatt Bridge → Stoney Middleton → Coombs Dale → Great Longstone → Monsal Trail → The Ashford Arms, Ashford‑in‑the‑Water.
ENDS
About Longbow Venues:
Founded in 2019 by Managing Director Rob Hattersley, Longbow Venues is an independent hospitality business based in the Peak District. The company operates a collection of award-winning heritage venues, each offering premium food, drink, and accommodations that showcase the best of the region. Longbow Venues is committed to a "people over profits" philosophy, ensuring exceptional service and memorable experiences for all guests.
Longbow currently operates five venues, with a sixth due to open in early 2026.
The Charleston, a premium Bakewell restaurant and cocktail bar (opening early 2026): the-charleston.com.
The Maynard, an award-winning wedding venue, bar, restaurant and hotel in Grindleford: the-maynard.com
The George Hathersage an iconic and historic bar, restaurant and boutique hotel, which was once frequented by Emily Brontë: thegeorgehathersage.com.
The Ashford Arms in Ashford-in-the-Water, which opened on 4 March 2024 following an estimated £1.6m refurbishment in collaboration with Heineken: theashfordarms.com
The Peacock at Owler Bar, near Sheffield, which was refurbished and reopened in December 2024: peacockowlerbar.com
The Peacock at Rowsley, a historic luxury hotel and restaurant known for its charm and elegance, offering a fine dining experience that blends tradition with modern culinary artistry: thepeacockatrowsley.com
Awards and Recognitions
Longbow Venues has received multiple accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence in hospitality:
The Sunday Times Best Places to Work Awards 2024 and 2025: Recognised for outstanding workplace culture and employee satisfaction.
Generation Next Awards 2024: Operations Director Stephen Atkinson was honoured as Entrepreneur of the Year, and Longbow Venues received the Investing in Young Talent Award for its commitment to developing young professionals.
Visit Peak District Tourism Awards 2024: The George Hathersage, one of Longbow's esteemed venues, won the Team of the Year Award, highlighting the exceptional collaboration and service provided by its staff. Executive Chef, Adrian Gagea, won a Bronze award in the Unsung Hero category, and Emma West, won a Bronze in Tourism Young Achiever.
The Publican Awards 2025: Longbow Venues was shortlisted in the Best Pub Employer (Up to 500 Employees) and Best Food Offer categories.
These recognitions underscore Longbow Venues' dedication to fostering a positive work environment and delivering high-quality experiences to guests.
Commitment to Local Produce and Suppliers
Longbow Venues is dedicated to supporting the local economy by sourcing ingredients from nearby farms, heritage brewers, and artisan producers. This commitment ensures that menus feature the freshest seasonal produce, reflecting the rich agricultural heritage of the Peak District.
Media Enquiries:
Jennifer Bell, Managing Director, Feather & Fern PR
07955 031 986
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