Walks in Todwick
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Todwick on foot.
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: Rother Valley Country Park
This is fantastic nature reserve and oasis of calm in the beautiful Rother Valley Country Park - a 750-acre park with walking and cycling trails, nature reserve, watersports centre and cafe, near to Sheffield and Rotherham. The Route what3words for start point: ///speaks.glance.overheat Start Point: Rother Valley Country Park Finish Point: Rother Valley Country Park Distance: 3 Miles GPX Route Map rother-valley-country-parkDownload Walk Description Embark upon a spellbinding journey amidst the sanctuary of the tranquil Rother Valley Country Park, where natural wonder converges with outdoor adventures, weaving a delicate tapestry of recreation and serenity. Nestled harmoniously between Sheffield and Rotherham, this voluminous 750-acre expanse unfolds its lush arms to enfold you in an oasis of calm, embodying the precious coexistence of vibrant wildlife and gentle human activity. Upon your arrival, you'll be caressed by the gentle whispers of the foliage, as the distant murmur of the vibrant birdlife beckons you into their abode, making the Rother Valley Country Park not merely a location but an enchanting experience to immerse oneself into. Boasting the privilege of having over 260 distinct bird species gracing its skies and waters, the reserve offers not merely a walk but an orchestra of natural sounds and sights, inviting every visitor to relinquish their worldly worries and bask in the unperturbed melodies of nature. As your feet tread upon the well-trodden paths, five individual lakes reveal themselves like hidden gems amidst the vastness of the reserve, each reflecting the celestial blues of the sky and enveloping nearby landscapes. These tranquil bodies of water not only offer an aquatic haven for numerous wildlife species but also present a scenic backdrop that seamlessly melds with the rippling sounds of the ever-vibrant River Rother. Allow your eyes to leisurely traverse across the horizons, where the seamless blend of water, land, and sky paints a tableau, vivacious yet soothing, propelling you into a state of placid tranquility. Each lake is a world in itself, teeming with myriad life forms and acting as silent witnesses to countless sunrises and sunsets. Whether you're a seasoned birder, a curious observer, or someone seeking a few moments of solitude, the lakes offer a palette of experiences, from the playful dances of waterfowl to the solitary vigils of wading birds, each choreographed by the undulating rhythms of nature. Meander through engaging trails that thoughtfully interweave natural splendor with human creativity, where sculptures and art installations punctuate your journey, each piece meticulously crafted and placed to invite contemplation and admiration amidst the wild embrace of the reserve. The art whispers tales of human creativity, forming a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding natural tapestry, prompting you to pause and ponder, to appreciate and to introspect, and to form an indelible connection with the space that gently cradles both art and nature. And while the park offers a retreat for the soul, it is not shy of adventures for those seeking to meld tranquility with activity. A watersports centre hums gently in one part of the park, offering a spectrum of aquatic adventures, allowing you to transition from a silent observer on the banks to an active participant on the waves, feeling the caress of the water against your skin as you navigate through its gentle folds. Your journey may find a sweet pause at the park's café, where warm, comforting beverages and a range of nourishments await to replenish your spirits. As you gently sip your drink, gaze out at the landscape that extends beyond, allowing the experience of nourishment to transcend beyond the physical into the realms of the soulful. In each step, the Rother Valley Country Park gently unravels itself, revealing not just its physical beauty, but its ability to be a canvas upon which you may gently paint your experiences, stories, and reflections, finding in its vastness, a sweet, silent space that warmly echoes with the beats of nature and the gentle footprints of the souls that have traversed its paths. With every departure, it silently whispers promises of new experiences upon your return, ensuring that each visit is not an endpoint, but a beautiful ellipse in your ongoing journey through the tranquil wilds of this splendid reserve. Embark, explore, and allow yourself to be entwined in the gentle embrace of the Rother Valley Country Park, where every path is an invitation, and every moment is a gentle caress of the natural world.
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: Harthill Reservoir
A quick burst of the outdoors on this easy walk around Harthill Reservoir, Sheffield. The Route what3words for start point: ///saved.hartdrawn.circus Start Point: 2 Finish Point: Small car park at the end of Carver Way Distance: Small car park at the end of Carver Way GPX Route Map walkshireharthillreservoirDownload Walk Description If you’ve parked in the car park, head back towards Carver Way. If you’ve not managed to park in the car park, head towards the cul-de-sac of Carver Way. At the end of the lane, you meet the top north east point of the reservoir. With the reservoir in front of you, turn right to follow the reservoir’s northern edge, with the water on your left side. You are right next to the water’s edge until you turn the second bend to the left, where the reservoir disappears behind trees. Ignore the path across the reservoir to your left and carry on. As the path turns to the right, ignore the second path across the reservoir to your left as well. Follow the path as it continues southwards. The southern end of the reservoir is hidden by the trees, but eventually, the path turns to the left to cross a brook via a bridge. Turn left just after, and head northwards with the trees on your left now. Soon, the reservoir comes into view again, through the gaps in the trees. Follow this path all the way back to the car park, or onwards along Carver Close to where the parking.
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.