Scholes Coppice and Wentworth Woodhouse

This walk is from my book "Walking South Yorkshire" pages 87-92.

Today was Sybil's birthday so, wanting to treat her to a pleasant walk, we set off on this drizzly morning on two bus rides up to Kimberworth Park. The walk begins off Oaks Lane in a small woodland close to Keppel's Field. We got a quick glimpse of the Column before heading in the opposite direction into Scholes Coppice.

A drizzly Keppel's Column

Following the Rotherham Round Walk route we left the woods and headed up into farmland. From the top of the hill we had a good view of Keppel's Column, Wentworth Church and Wentworth Woodhouse, where we were headed. But first we walked down towards Dog Kennel Pond which on this grey morning was deserted save for what seemed hundreds of pheasants, which tormented Sybil who was straining to get off her lead and chase them.

Dog Kennel Pond

She was to stay on her lead for a while yet though as we walked through Wentworth Park and past some cattle. Passing the huge stately home known as Wentworth Woodhouse we entered the village and had a quick rest just as the sun was finally making an appearance. Before heading up past the garden centre we passed through a small woodland where we disturbed a small rodent which quickly scurried away through the undergrowth.

Walking up towards Scholes village we went slightly wrong and ended up a field further down than we should have been. Walking along the edge I noticed a large herd of slightly frisky looking cows. Trying to pay them no heed we walked straight up to the top fence where there was no obvious exit. Getting slightly nervous now I decided to climb over the rickety wooden fence strewn with barbed wire. Sybil slid underneath with room to spare; however I ended up getting my clothing caught but eventually landed clear with a grazed hand and twisted ankle. Turning round I saw that the cows had indeed followed us up the field and were standing watching us, seeming rather bemused.

Curious followers

Feeling rather foolish we walked through Scholes village and left via the footpath back into Keppel's Field. House martins were swooping low over the grass while a kestrel hovered nearby. Truly tired now, Sybil happily let me clip her lead on and we headed back to the start point.

Canklow Wood Heritage Trail

This walk is from Walking South Yorkshire (pages 61-64).

Flicking through my book I found another walk I could complete without relying on public transport. It also made the two-mile walk a bit longer as it took just under an hour to get to the start point. Extra exercise for Sybil is always welcome!

The walk starts in Boston Castle Park past the college I used to go to, bringing back fond memories. We skirted along the edge of the park until we joined the woods through an A-frame and followed the Fuelling a Revolution waymarker. Heading up to the viewpoint we paused and had a quick rest.

View from Canklow Woods

We continued following the main path, more direction given by the waymarkers than by the book itself which was fine as I could relax and enjoy watching Sybil chasing non-existent squirrels. After turning left at the multi-stemmed oak tree Sybil stopped to play with a little mop with legs (it was very cute) while his owner and I chatted about our dogs' bad habits.

The oak tree

Heading down to the houses on the estate we branched right and turned back on ourselves. Accompanying us now was the sound of the busy main road; thankfully not as close as it sounded so I didn't have to worry about Sybil heading down to it. The wood opened up into scrubland. A squirrel headed towards us on the path, spotted Sybil, froze and ran back the way it had come. Luckily Sybil had not seen it as ironically she was too busy looking up into trees for them!

Bracken and Birch trees

Instead of climbing the slope back up to the park, we stayed to the left and walked around the outside which gave great views towards Meadowhall and Sheffield to the left. Up past the edge of the cemetery and to the top of some steps and we were back in Boston Park, ready for a quick rest before walking back home.

Herringthorpe Valley and Brecks Plantation

A walk of 4.5 miles from my book Walking South Yorkshire (pages 69 - 72).

This walk is very handy, starting in my local park (Herringthorpe Valley Park) which means there was no need to travel on public transport. Sybil and I were in very familiar surroundings as we headed up the way we do almost every day. However, once we got to Gibbing Greave Wood we followed the path across the stream and around the perimeter of the wood instead of the shortcut we usually take parallel to the golf course.

Looking across to Wentworth Woodhouse

We then headed round to the adjoining Herringthorpe Wood, dropping onto the golf course to take in the view. Upwards through this wood brought us to Belcourt Road which we followed and then turned left into Brecks Plantation. We followed the path at the top of the slope and were both delighted when we realised this was our beloved Listerdale Woods, as we called it. We headed the opposite way to usual, crossing the bridge and heading upstream.

Brecks Plantation

Eventually crossing the stream we emerged into a more open area of ornamental trees such as conifer and willow. The book suggests this area might once have been formal parkland. We left the wood at Gibbing Greaves Road and headed back into Herringthorpe Wood. This time we did a circuit of the wood, climbing Great Bank where in spring rare white bluebells grow. Descending back into the wood we came out onto the golf course where Sybil took the opportunity to stretch her legs. Then it was a simple walk back through the park up to the house.

A quick run