WALK A winter walk:
A five-mile circular walk featuring local landmarks including an 18th century sandstone tower and a church dating from Saxon times.
GRADE: Easy
START: At the free public car park off Biscay Way, (B6097), Wath, S63 7DA.
Exit from the car park onto Biscay Way, which is named after the former turning basin of the old Dearne and Dove Canal which ran nearby. Turn right before crossing the road via the pedestrian crossing. Turn left down Moor Road and continue until you reach a public footpath on your left. Access the footpath following a stream on the left. Cross over Whitworth Way and continue through the ‘A’ Frame, eventually emerging onto Barnsley Road. The town of Wath-upon-Dearne can trace its history back to the Norman Conquest, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Wad.’
‘‘The Parish Church of All Saints which had Saxon origins is well worth a visit. It was rebuilt during the 12th and 14th centuries and is a Grade I listed building’’
On Barnsley Road, turn right and continue as far as the Church of England School on your right. Cross Barnsley Road via the crossing and continue along the Tarmac path immediately in front of you. On your left will be the Parish Church of All Saints which had Saxon origins and is well worth a visit. It was rebuilt during the 12th and 14th centuries and is a Grade I listed building. Take the path to your right which passes through trees and the stream will now be on your right. Cross the stream via the footbridge and the path will start to climb. You will eventually come to a crossroads of paths and should take the left
Wath-upon-Dearne With Soo Moore of Dearne Valley Ramblers Photographs by John Watson
hand one, leading along the valley. Follow the path until you meet a junction then take the left-hand path, via a further bridge.
The path rises once more to the top of the hill which affords uninterrupted views over the nearby Hoober Stand. A tower of 30 metres high, the stand was commissioned by Thomas Watson-Wentworth to commemorate the crushing of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Thomas was subsequently elevated to the title of 1st Marquess of Rockingham by a grateful King, following his part played in the defeat. On Sunday afternoons during the summer the tower is open to the public for a small charge so is worth exploring next year. The path continues through a field and emerges onto Newhill Road. Turn left and walk along that road, passing Newhill Park, together with The Crown Pub and an old house built c. 1690. Cross the road and continue to Green Lane, turn right and walk down the lane. After a few metres, take the track to your left. Ignore the public footpath sign on your right and continue to Cottage Farm. Go forward here, passing through the barrier, at which point you will reach a wider track, turning left and continuing onto Gypsy Green Lane.
Cross Gypsy Green Lane and the take path opposite, passing a small brick building. This path goes behind housing on your left and emerges onto Wath Wood Road. Turn left and take the crossing, then turn right along Chestnut Avenue. Turn right again along Oak Road, at the end of which, take the public footpath. This leads you through the former Swinton Racecourse situated on land formerly owned by the then Earl Fitzwilliam. There is a road named locally as Racecourse Road, Swinton, and the land behind this is the area where racing once took place during the 19th century.
At a crossing of paths take the path along the field edge, and, at a junction near trees, take the right-hand path.
Shortly afterwards turn right through a gap in the hedge. This path crosses a field and emerges onto Golden Smithies Lane, Swinton. Cross the lane and take the path opposite, through a barrier and between two hedges. Eventually you will note the Church of St. Margaret to your right, together
The view with Hoober Stand in the distance
with other buildings. Exit the path onto a road then take the path through a green gate which will be on your left. Carry on along a way-marked path that runs behind housing to your right and follow this path until it meets with a tarmac covered cycle path then turn left along the cycle path which is signposted towards Manvers. Enter Dearne Valley College surrounds and follow the road towards Manvers. At the busy roundabout take the road immediately to your left, once again reaching Golden Smithies Lane but at the other end. Cross the road and take the public pathway on your right, skirting the Calliflex Business Park, Manvers, which emerges onto Doncaster Road near The Staithes Public House which is on the opposite side of Doncaster Road. Cross to that side, turning left onto Old Doncaster Road, passing a range of commercial businesses on your right. You will then come to Common Lane, Wath, take the way-marked path through a gap in the wall. Follow this path through trees and, on arriving at Station Road, turn to the right. Cross the road to take a left turning through a barrier into a park. Follow the path to your left passing playing fields and a Children’s play area on your right. Then exit via a green gate and turn left past some flats. You will then emerge onto Moor Road nearing the end of the walk. Turn left and retrace your steps to Biscay Way, Wath, and the car park where the walk started. Toilet facilities are provided at the Tesco Superstore across from the Biscay Way car park.
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aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
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