Doorstep Walks
Rotherham Council plans that everyone in the Borough will have access to a short, local walk, hence the name 'Doorstep'. It it hoped that children (and parents) will be encouraged to get out and about and enjoy healthy exercise. Follow the Doorstep Waymarks.
These walking time are supposed to be based on an adult walking fairly slowly and taking several rests. Must be very slow indeed I can do the ones that I've tried in much less time.
Doorstep Walk 1 - Laughton-en-le-Morthen
A 2 hour walk taking in All Saints Church, the remains of the motte and bailey castle, fields and woodlands around the pretty village of Laughton. Visit Laughton onsite at Villages - Laughton-en-le-Morthen.
Doorstep Walk 2 - Laughton and Roche Abbey
A 1½ hour walk around the village of Laughton taking in the remains of Roche Abbey. The rest of this route is very similar to that taken on Route 1.
Visit Roche Abbey onsite at Tourism - In & Around Rotherham - Roche Abbey.
Visit Roche Abbey onsite at Tourism - In & Around Rotherham - Roche Abbey.
Review of Walks 1 and 2 - Walk 1 took us about 2½ hours with a rest part way. Even after a long period of dry weather the part of the route that passes along and across Hooton Dyke was very, very muddy. We've been this way before after heavy rain and abandoned the paths across the fields as these get very claggy. There are some steep stiles en route so walk is not suitable for those with mobility difficulties. In September all the footpaths had been cleared, some of them quite recently I suspect so be prepared for the route to be overgrown in places come summer.
Doorstep Walk 3 - Letwell the St Leger Walk
A 1½ hour walk around the village of Letwell. This is a nice flat walk which takes you right out of the Borough of Rotherham and back again and is suitable for all the family.
Review of Walk 3 - This is pleasant, easy walk with slight slopes. In places bike gates prevent access to wheelchairs and buggies but pushchairs are probably OK. Can be muddy in places after rain both in Dyscarr Wood and across the fields. You can extend the walk a bit around Langold Country Park.
Doorstep Walk 4 - The Waleswood Walk around Rother Valley
A 1½ hour walk hour from the Visitors' Centre at Rother Valley Country Park around the lakes. There is also a leg that takes you into the centre of Aston.
Visit Rother Valley Country Park onsite at Recreation in Rotherham >>Rotherham's Parks >> Country Parks >> Rother Valley Country Park.
Visit Rother Valley Country Park onsite at Recreation in Rotherham >>Rotherham's Parks >> Country Parks >> Rother Valley Country Park.
Doorstep Walk 5 - The Wales Walk at Rother Valley
This is a day ½, 4 mile walk.
Doorstep Walk 6 - The Village Walk at Ulley Country Park
This walk uses permissive paths to explore the hills around Ulley Country Park and the Village of Ulley.
Doorstep Walk 7 - The Farmland Trail at Ulley Village
This walk takes about 2 hours and uses more permissive paths to explore the area around Ulley.
Doorstep Walk 8 - The Scholes Walk via Keppel's Column
This walk takes about 1½ hours and starts and ends in Scholes Village. For some reason this walk misses entirely the Iron Age fort called misleadingly 'Caesar's Camp' shown on Ordnance Survey maps of the area as 'Settlement' but you can a bit of a detour to add it in if you want.
Doorstep Walk 9 - The Wentworth Countryside Walk
This walk is 4 mile long and takes about 2 hours. It starts and finishes in Wentworth Village and passes through the hamlet of Street, past the Needle's Eye, Elsecar Heritage Centre and King's Wood. NB it can be very muddy in King's Wood.
Doorstep Walk 10 - Linear Link Paths from Moorgate and Whiston to the Trans-Pennine Trail at Canklow Bridge
There is a one way 1½ mile walk from the Belvedere on Moorgate through Boston Park and Canklow Wood. There is another route from the Chequers in Whiston - a one way 1½ mile walk through Whiston Meadows and Canklow Wood. Both end up at Canklow Bridge. To form a longer walk The Trans-Pennine Trail goes either north along the River Rother or south through housing estates but you'll need the Ordnance Survey map as these are not covered by the leaflets. Of course you can join the two walks up but if you came by car there is a hike along Moorgate Road to get back to where you started.
Doorstep Walk 11 - The Hail Mary Wood Walk at Treeton
This is a walk from Treeton through Hail Mary Wood.
Doorstep Walk 12 - The Harry Rogers Trail Round Ravenfield Park
As it says on the tin, a walk around Ravenfield Park. The details of this are only available digitally.
Doorstep Walk 13 - The Town Walk around Wath upon Dearne
A 2 mile walk around Wath.
Doorstep Walk 14 - The Three Doomsday Villages Walk
A 5 mile walk around Kiveton, Todwick and South Anston.
Doorstep Walk 15 - The Whiston Countryside Walk
A 2½ mile walk around the Village of Whiston.
Doorstep Walk 16 - The Anston Stones Wood Walk
A 5 mile walk starting at Kiveton Park Station via the Chesterfield Canal, Anston Stones Wood, North Anston and South Anston.
Doorstep Walk 16 - The Anston Stones Wood Walk
A 5 mile walk starting at Kiveton Park Station via the Chesterfield Canal, Anston Stones Wood, North Anston and South Anston.
Doorstep Walk 17 - The Stan Rouse Trail at Aston
A 5 mile, mostly flat walk in the farmland around Aston.
Doorstep Walk 18 - The Wickersley Wood Trail
A circular 2 mile walk around Wickersley Wood.
Review - With an added bit around Wickersley Wood this walk took about an hour over fairly easy terrain with part along access lanes. Crosses fields in part so boots recommended.
Doorstep Walk 19 - The Thorpe Salvin Trail
A 3 mile walk around the village of Thorpe Salvin.
Leaflets are available from Rotherham Visitor Centre or Rights of Way Tel. 44 (0)1709 822268. For details about Rotherham Visitor Centre please visit Tourism - Tourist Information & Advice - Rotherham Visitor Centre.
Doorstep Walks Wardens are being sought to keep an eye on the routes by walking them occasionally and reporting any problems. Tel. Richard on 44 (0)1709 822168 if you are interested.
For information about Doorstep Rides visit onsite at Recreation - Sport - Cycling or Horse Riding - Doorstep Rides.