Walks in Dinnington

Walk: The Giant's Staircase

An easy walk along the Chesterfield Canal, near Worksop on the border of South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, taking in 20 locks on the oldest flight of staircase locks. The Route what3words for start point: ///dumpling.cassettes.feels Start Point: Shireoaks Station Finish Point: Kiveton Park Station Distance: 3.5 Miles GPX Route Map thegiantsstaircaseDownload Walk Description This section of the Chesterfield Canal is often cited as the most beautiful and historic stretch of canal in the whole country. It features the oldest staircase flights of locks, built in the early 1770’s and has 20 locks in a mile stretch, the most of any open canal. It is worth a walk at any time of the year, but it is particularly impressive in the spring when the surrounding woods are carpeted with flowers. The canal here laid derelict for nearly a century until 2002/3 when an incredible project restored all 23 Grade ll listed locks in 54 weeks. This walking route includes other listed structures including six bridges, an aqueduct and two milestones. The walk starts at Shireoaks Station, twenty meters from the Canal. The first lock that you come to is Boundary Lock, built in 1998 to offset the effects of subsidence. Just before the next bridge, you cross the Ryton aqueduct before reaching Cinderhill Lock, the first of the Turnerwood flight of seven locks. After a mile you will reach the delightful Turnerwood Basin. Next comes the fifteen locks of the Thorpe flight, including two double and two treble staircases - these are where one lock goes straight into the next. After the final set of locks, Thorpe Top Treble, there is a final flat mile and a half. This section includes Pudding Dyke weir before you arrive at Kiveton Park. On the way you will pass the wharf where they loaded stone from Anston Quarry, used to build the House of Parliament, before it was shipped down the canals in the 1840’s. Should you want to walk through the woods, it is possible to cross the canal at Pudding Dyke Bridge, turning right through Old Meadow Wood and Hawk’s Wood before returning to the towpath via Devil’s Hole Bridge. This is a linear walk, on completion, you can either retrace your steps or return to the start on the train.

Walk: The Thorpe Salvin Trail

An easy three-mile walk including ancient woodland and the Chesterfield Canal towpath, near Worksop. The Route What3Words for start point: ///thrashed.intrigues.pass Start Point: Worksop Rd, Worksop S80 3JU Finish Point: Worksop Rd, Worksop S80 3JU Distance: 3 Miles GPX Route Map thethorpesalvintrailDownload Walk Description The walk starts at The Parish Oven public house in Thorpe Salvin, S80 3JU. Turn left out of the car park and head out of the village past the Recreation Ground. After the last houses, go left though a kissing gate and follow the path beside the field. Pass through another kissing gate, follow the path and go down the steps. Follow the track by the canal into Hawks Wood. Old Spring Wood and Hawks Wood are ancient woodlands dating back to at least 1600. Hawks Wood has many young trees with a diverse ground flora, whilst Old Spring Wood is very dark because of its closely growing older trees. Both are full of wild flowers in the spring. After about 200m turn right at the junction and follow the edge of the wood. You will be able to see the remains of Thorpe Hall in the distance which was built in 1570. It is said to be the inspiration for Torquilstone in the novel lvanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. The now ruined mansion was once owned by Thomas Osborne, who became Duke of Leeds and moved out to a grander property in Kiveton Park, the hall fell into disuse. It was partially demolished in the 1820s, with only the south front now remaining. At another way marker post take the path to your right down the slope and at the bottom you will come to Devil’s Hole Bridge which takes you over the canal. Head along the towpath with the canal on your right, passing underneath Pudding Dyke Bridge. Continue over the weir on the boardwalk with white handrails. Eventually you will reach Thorpe Top Treble Locks. The canal here lay derelict for nearly a century until 2002/3 when an incredible project restored all 23 Grade ll listed locks in 54 weeks. Walk underneath Thorpe Locks Bridge and then double back onto it. Cross the canal into the wood, taking the right-hand path that runs parallel with the canal. When you come out of the wood, turn right and follow the track past the water treatment works. This will take you to the steps that you used earlier. Retrace your steps back to The Parish Oven.

Walk: Five Churches Walk

One for history and architecture buffs this is a fantastic heritage walk which takes in five ancient churches in the Rotherham area. The Route what3words for start point: ///modest.recur.view Start Point: Harthill Finish Point: Harthill Distance: 10 Miles GPX Route Map five-churches-walkDownload Walk Description Cast yourself back to medieval times by tackling this long, but enjoyable walk. This is probably one of the oldest walks in the region as it follows ancient pathways to cut through the picturesque local countryside. You'll visit the little villages of Wales, Harthill, Thorpe Salvin, South Anston and Todwick which will provide plenty of opportunity to visit the local establishments for lunch or a refreshing drink.

Walk: Anston Stones

A stunning area of SSI (Special scientific interest) has unique wildlife and vegetation centred around a local nature reserve The Route what3words for start point: ///clogging.pampered.extremely Start Point: South Anston Finish Point: South Anston Distance: 2 Miles GPX Route Map anstonstonesDownload Walk Description This is a fabulous walk for all the family as you will discover amazing wildlife and vegetation but is especially famous for it's limestone woodland and rocks. There have been archaeological discoveries on the site tracing ecological activity back to the ice age due to the discovery of animal bones of hyenas. Take a peaceful walk and try to imagine what it was like 12,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. You won't have use your imagination too much. Food afterwards Food is available at the Red Lion Inn at Todwick.

A Circular Walk From Roche Abbey