Woolley Wood and Concord Park

A small walk of 3.5 miles from my book Walking South Yorkshire (pages 13-16).

This was an ideal easy walk for me and Sybil as it began in Meadowhall Park and Ride car park. There was a quick five minute train journey from Rotherham and we then joined the Trans Pennine Trail towards Chapeltown. We left the TPT at Fife Street and jogged across the road at the traffic lights. Turning right we joined Ecclesfield Road and headed up towards the woods on the left.

Looking for squirrels in Woolley Wood

We climbed up through the woods for twenty minutes or so, accompanied only by squirrels which delighted Sybil. Eventually we emerged onto a golf course which was quite busy with golfers and their expensive golf sets. Not wanting to be chased by an angry golfer in pursuit of their golf ball, I put Sybil back on the lead until we reached Concord Park.

Resting in Concord Park

Sybil enjoyed a huge runaround here. After playing with her for a while, we both had a drink and a quick sit down to admire the views over towards Grange Park and Keppel's Column. We then followed the edge of the park round until we got to an A-frame which lead back into Woolley Wood. Apparently the name of these woods means "woodland clearing frequented by wolves". Well, the only "wolf" in these woods today was Sybil, barking up trees as squirrels continued to evade her.

Jelly Ear Fungus

Heading down into the woods and along the main path, I spotted several different types of fungi. One of them I have seen before at Potteric Carr; I was told it is called Jelly Ear Fungus. There was a longer walk through woodland this time before we arrived back at the entrance on Ecclesfield Road. Another saunter along the TPT back to Meadowhall just in time for the train and the walk was over. Sybil was being so well-behaved today that I decided to walk her along the canal towards home. There were a fair number of swans on the water but luckily she wasn't interested in chasing any of them.

Contemplating life by the canal