Aroundtown Magazine Winter 2022 edition

OUT & ABOUT
Waterside
walks
to try this winter
The colder months of the year turn our local
landscape into a walking wonderland with
some fantastic beauty spots to discover right
on our doorstep.
Waterside locations in
particular make for a picturesque
saunter where you can see wildlife
and feel relaxed by the calmness
of the rippling water.
Wrap up warm and blow off
the cobwebs by visiting some of
the more accessible places in our
area to have a winter stroll.
Treeton Dyke and Waverley
Treeton Dyke is an artificial
lake created by diverting the
River Rother during construction
of the railway. You can park on
Washfield Lane, Treeton (near the
sports ground) and take a walk
around the attractive dyke with its
wonderful autumn leaf colours and
waterfowl on the lake. This varied
walk is level and about 2 miles
long. You could also divert into the
Hail Mary Wood.
There is also the option of
going across the bridges over the
railway/river and taking a level walk
around the newly formed lakes on
the Waverley housing development
and which are now attracting many
species of wildfowl such as swans,
mallards, coots and geese.
Thrybergh Country Park
Thrybergh reservoir was
constructed in the 1880s to provide
safe drinking water to Doncaster.
In September 1980 the site was
acquired by RMBC for £1.00 and was
opened as a country park in 1983.
Today, it’s a pleasant place to visit
for a short walk around the reservoir
(the footpath is accessible for all),
and to view all the wildlife that lives
there, including large numbers of
wintering wildfowl as well as mallards,
coots, moorhens, swans, geese and
many more.
There is car parking (fee), a cafe
and also an ice cream parlour there.
Ravenfield Ponds
RSPB Old Moor
This is a lovely quiet secluded
park nestling in a steep sided valley
close to Ravenfield village. It was
bought in 1972 by Phoenix Sports
and Social Club and Parkgate
Recreational Services to be used
for their angling club, but now the
general public can also fish with
these clubs. The area around the
ponds is a haven for wildlife as well
as there being many different plant
species.
There is a walk of approximately
1.5 miles starting from St James
church in Old Ravenfield (parking
available near the church), going
across the field, then turning left
along Arbour Lane until you reach
the entrance to Ravenfield Park on
your left. You can enjoy the lovely
walk through the woods and all
the way round the ponds before
returning along the lane and back
across the fields to St James
church. Note: There are some
steep sections with steps.
The Old Moor RSPB nature
reserve was created as a result
of coal mining subsidence when
areas filled with water formed
pools which became a magnet for
wildlife. You can pay to go into the
reserve (RSPB members free) and
follow trails and visit the hides to
watch all the birdlife. It is particularly
interesting in the winter as there
are large flocks of migrating birds
visiting the lakes, as well as golden
plovers and lapwings frequenting
the grassland.
There are several short level
walks (about 2 or 3 miles) on
the paths surrounding the RSPB
reserve, along the River Dearne
and also around a public lake at
Manvers. Details may be obtained
at the RSPB Visitor Centre.
Facilities at Old Moor are a
free car park, toilets, RSPB shop,
refreshments (limited at the
moment).
Don’t forget to take binoculars.
34 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk