Aroundtown Magazine January/February 2024 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 (paid for), a
cafe and a small play area.
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
and cafe.
Don’t forget to take binoculars.
38 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk