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.
We did this walk today and couldn't find the route through the final field (should have been a stile on the horizon according to your book Rob) so ended up climbing a couple of fences onto private property - it was either that are we'd have ended up in the cow byre! We were covered in mud and grass cuttings by the end of it!!
ReplyDelete