Sprotborough and the River Don
Route facts
Waterways:
River Don »
Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation »
Distance: 3 miles / 5 km
Duration: One/two hours
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Everyone
Circular route from: Small car park near Sprotborough Lock
A walk from the huge Sprotborough Lock, once busy with commercial traffic, along Yorkshire's River Don to the majestic Conisbrough Viaduct.
This walk passes close to the exciting new Earth Centre, dramatic canal and railway structures - a lock and a viaduct - and an important nature reserve.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available at the start/end of this circular walk.
Waypoints
1. Sprotborough Lock
Leave the car park heading west, away from Sprotborough Lock. Pass the Boat Inn on your right, and you are walking on a narrow piece of land between the River Don and Sprotborough Flash. There are bird hides along this path overlooking the flash. The Don is not a busy waterway, but you will see boats quite regularly. Next through a double gate across the path. Beyond is a junction, ignore the gate to your right and follow the path left. You are following part of the Trans Pennine Trail. Under a railway bridge and the dramatic sweep of the Conisbrough Viaduct is ahead of you, striding across the valley on a series of high arches through which you can see the town of Conisbrough.
2. Sprotborough Viaduct
On reaching the viaduct the path up beside the viaduct will lead you eventually to the Earth Centre. But for this walk turn and retrace your steps along the river path untill you reach the righthand turn where a gate straight ahead leads into the Sprotborough Flash & Woodland Nature reserve.
3. Entrance to nature reserve
Through the gate you are entering a Site of Special Scientific Interest where all the wildlife is protected by law. The path goes through an enchanting area of woods, up a small flight of steps and out into a meadow. At the top of the field is a seat where you can sit and admire the views. Behind here you go up another small flight of steps and turn right, again in woodland. Smaller paths lead off the main one up into the woods, but for this walk stay on the main path. The Sprotborough Flash now appears below you on your right. Then out through a gate, past a row of cottages and beside the Boat Inn back to the riverside and to the car park. Ahead is the large Sprotborough Lock, well worth walking up to to have a look.
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