Dearne Valley Walking Group - Walk Write-ups

Ardsley

11/2/2026

So it was 4.77 miles tonight for DVWG starting from Ardsley walking down to the TPT in Wombwell and back to Ardsley. A route change to reduce the muddy conditions. We also had to divert from the TPT for a while too due to flooding.

DVWG is enjoying some excellent attendances right now with tonight’s attendance of 22 people being exceptional in the conditions. A big hello to Sara, Angie and John who walked with us for the first time too.

Rod Moor & Boots Folly 7th Feb 2026

7/2/2026

Thank you to the Ten who joined today's walk, David Kirk, Debi & Steve Knight, Lynn Sidebottom, Deborah Elliot, Callum Brook, Lizzie Mellor, Tracy Ginn & Ollie & Olivia Quinn.

Our walk began from the Sands car-park at Low Bradfield, along the banks of Dam Flask, through Ughill Nature reserve, before our ascent began, a steady climb up to Corker Lane, through Royds clough plantation where the temperature began to drop and a dusting of snow under the Boots replaced soft mud. We entered Platts Lane followed by soft breeze keeping moisture in the air. Rod Moor Trig over the summit although our view was limited with fog. The approach to Rod Moor Trig was heavy under foot with a steep snow covered banking prior to saturated Moor land, the Trig visible from close distance only. Spirits were high as the Trig was bagged!

A quick pace followed to keep everyone warm before crossing land which could be described as a swamp, before approaching Boots Folly. Here the air cleared to give distant views over the Strines and Dale Duke Reservoirs, no warmth in the air. Our descent from Boots Folly was down a muddy path with rapid water flowing to lead the way. Nearing the bottom, approaching Dale Dyke our group walked the higher path through woodland to connect with Blindside Lane leading to our start point.

Post walk, a welcome refreshing drink fireside in the Plough was welcomed by those lucky enough. Thank you to everyone who joined me in todays walk.

To see more photos click here

Darfield Evening Walk 3rd Feb 2026

5/2/2026

It is becoming quite a theme adjusting the routes of existing midweek walks to take the best parts of multiple walks from the same start point. Last night was no exception.
Our walk started from the Old Moor Tavern in Broomhill and walked up the former Doncaster Road onto the disused railway line into Darfield. The first part of the old railway line is a joy walk through, albeit better in daylight where the resulting path passes through a dramatic cutting which has been reclaimed by nature since the removal of the railway line.
We crossed the main road in Darfield to rejoin the railway line emerging onto what is an embankment virtually running alongside the River Dearne. Towards the end of this path, we encountered some quite atrocious mud and damaged paths which our group had difficulty negotiating.
We left the former railway line and headed to the weir on the Dearne heading then back to Darfield, not walking the full length of the river bank but ascending the former colliery path back to the centre of Darfield.
We walked through the village descending Vicar Road to enter the Old Moor Wetlands which does look quite spectacular even in the dark. Here we walked alongside the River Dove and then the Dearne heading back to the Old Moor Tavern and the end of our 4 miles walk.
The pub was closed so a few of us adjourned to the nearby Junction pub for a beer.
Well done to the 18 people who completed this walk.

Chatsworth to Beeley Sat 31st Jan 2026

31/1/2026

Todays DVWG walk started from Chatsworth car park and we headed out past the farmyard and playground to the Hunting Tower on the edge of Stand Wood using the steep stone steps. Here we paused for a group photo before continuing on past the Emperor and Swiss Lakes. The path then continued onto open moorland known as Rabbit Warren. We crossed over into Hell Bank Plantation where we encountered our first stream crossing. Once everyone was safely over with no mishaps we descended by the side of Beeley Brook into Beeley Plantation.

On our descent we paused to celebrate John Lack’s achievement of walking 100 miles in one season. Continuing our descent we came across our second stream crossing this time with several of the group getting their feet wet. After this it didn’t take us long to enter Beeley village where we had a break to enjoy the treats of the local coffee shop. Once replenished we continued by crossing the B6012 and walking through the fields beside the River Derwent until we reached the bridge where we crossed the river.

Soon after this we paused to celebrate David Kirk’s achievement of walking 4500 miles with the group. We all agreed it was an amazing achievement and not one we would be celebrating again any time soon. We then continued walking alongside the river until we reached Chatsworth.

A lovely 7.8 mile walk on a beautiful winters day. Thanks for the lovely company and support when I struggled with the stone steps at the beginning of the walk. Liz

To see more photos click here

Wortley 2026

28/1/2026

Wortley 2026 route tonight for DVWG. Although it was dry tonight and quite mild the conditions proved to be challenging due to the fog making visibility very poor in places. Descending through Wortley Park and working our way through Hugh Wood to meet Hermit Hill Lane to make our way back to Wortley for a post walk beer.

Well done to the 13 people who attended this 4.02 miles walk, one to repeat

See more photos here

Levitt Hagg 24th January 2026

24/1/2026

This morning Ken led a walk with Dearnevalley Walkinggroup around the river Don gorge from Sprotborugh. Along the way, in our local history element, we discussed the lost village of Levitt Hagg, coal mining & the extensive railway systems in the area. We also visited Cadeby Tunnel, one of the most haunted locations in South Yorkshire allegedly.

Some brave souls even ventured inside to see if any visitors from beyond were active today.

Some stages of the route were very muddy & tricky but the weather was kind.

More photos click here

Harley (6) 21st Jan 2026

23/1/2026

DVWG’s quest to put multiple different walks from the same starting point is now an established trait and last night we attempted a first walk of Harley walk number 6.

Heading out of the village along roads, we turned onto a field path opposite the Alms Houses in Wentworth, here our memory of the path escaped us and we finished up in a field with no exit.
Re-tracing our steps we reached the Coach Road as intended by ascending the path to Wentworth School before descending the Coach Road down to the Spittal Houses and crossing fields at Barley Croft to the village of Hood Hill.

We walked through the village and re-entered Harley via the opposite end of the Coach Road and back to The Horseshoe for a well deserved beer.

Cue some path walking in daylight to validate the route from the Alms Houses to the Coach Road and just maybe last nights walk becomes Harley walk number 7 !!.

Well done to our 18 walkers last night, who completed this 3.80 miles walk and enjoyed better weather than forecast or many had experienced that afternoon.

League of Gentlemen, Hadfield

17/1/2026

It’s been a good day out for DVWG today, completing the 10 miles League of Gentleman walk from the village of Hadfield.

Arriving in Hadfield, the weather was a little nicer than at home with no mist or fog and some quite mild conditions. Meeting at the village railway station, David handed out pork pies from Percy Turners butchers to once again to make a tenuous link to the TV programme League of Gentleman and special sausage. We left the village along the Longdendale Trail, part of the TPT making brisk progress passing Bottoms, Valehouse and Rhodeswood reservoirs, we then made a decision to extend the route and walk through along Torside Reservoir too. Close to the end of Torside Reservoir the crossing point was a permissive path, when we reached this point we found the path had been closed for maintenance, meaning we had to walk further crossing Woodhead Dam to emerge alongside the main A628 Woodhead Pass.

There was a good path alongside the road and our group remained safe alongside this busy road heading for Crowden where we could rejoin the path alongside Torside Reservoir to head back to Hadfield. We did however manage to see the cottages which housed the workers who built the Woodhead Tunnel and the small chapel where many of the workers who were killed are buried.

We headed back to Hadfield alongside the reservoirs, crossing the dam wall at Valehouse Reservoir and ascending a field path back to the TPT to end the walk at the car park where most of us parked.

Well done and thank you to all 13 people who completed the 10 miles walk today. Well done to Steve Pennock who achieved 2500 miles walked with DVWG today.

A beer at The Palatine pub in Hadfield followed where we were able to see the closing stages of the Manchester derby too.

All in all another great day for DVWG.

See more photos here

Great Houghton 14th January 2026

15/1/2026

DVWG benefited from the slightly milder weather last night, with a fantastic attendance for our Great Houghton evening walk with a total of 18 people walking with us. Our numbers were buoyed by two new walkers, so a big hello and welcome goes out to new walkers Emma Hansell and Charlotte Waltham.

Our walk started from the village church, walking down Chapel Lane, alongside the golf course to the village of Little Houghton before descending a field footpath to the outskirts of Middlecliffe, crossing a further field and tricky plank bridge onto the disused Fitzwilliam Road just outside Darfield. We walked along a path alongside Kings Stock Wood to the village of Billingley passing through the village and paths out of it before picking up the path of the disused railway line back to Great Houghton.

We completed our 4.55 miles walk walking up through the village back to the church before a well deserved beer at the Sandhill Tavern.

Well done and thank you to everyone who attended.

Rother Valley Country Park

11/1/2026

We braved the elements today to visit Rother Valley Country Park for a 6 mile walk around Rother Valley Lakes. Undeterred by the very icy conditions underfoot, we followed the trail around the perimeter of the park stopping halfway around to have lunch and hot drinks at Waleswood Caravan Park Cafe. Reluctantly we hauled ourselves off the comfy chairs and made our way back downhill towards Killamarsh Meadows before returning to our starting point. Thank you to all the walkers who joined us today and thank you to Tony for being our back marker.

see more photos here