The
Unofficial WebsiteBlackburn Meadows
The oldest map of the area shows Blackburn Meadows as a patchwork of small fields. These were on the flood plain of the River Don and were consequently often waterlogged. Later on Holmes Farm was built on the site. Due to a long ago kink in the parish boundaries which were based on the course of the River Don most of this area is actually in Sheffield.
The meadows then became part of Tinsley Sewage Farm. Birds presumably suffer from anosmia as the sewage lagoons became a refuge for migrating birds. Yes and other wildlife too - all brave souls, but then I understand sewage lagoons are warm, very warm so I can begin to feel the attraction. When the management of the lagoons changed they began to dry up. Local birdwatchers stepped in to save this important habitat. I don't think that the lagoons contain sewage any more - at least I hope they don't, but the area is full of twitchers, oh and school children.
The old parish boundary, now the borough boundary, runs along the River Don behind Magna (formerly Templeborough Steel Works) and north up Deadman's Hole Lane to the canal. Blackburn Meadows is therefore mostly in the Borough of Sheffield but a bit slips into Rotherham.
Yours truly took a trip to Blackburn Meadows August 2003 and was sadly disappointed. There is a short walk around the lakes along Canal Walk and back on Deadman's Hole Lane, or vice versa. It took us about 20 minutes. Most of the site is out of bounds to humans, some of it wisely so, as there are areas of deep sludge, but it doesn't leave you much to see. The two hides are both in dreadful state of dereliction so you can't even park your bum, get out your binoculars and do a bit of twitching in comfort. There was a fine collection of ducks and swans on Ferham Lake but otherwise the wildlife was very sparse.
In the summer holidays and at other times too there are a number of activities like pond dipping, mostly for children, held here.