Doncaster Rambler’s Press Release – The Other Side Of Wetherby Tuesday 16 July 2024

I could not believe how lucky we were with the weather.

The forecast was not good and it was drizzling heavily as we left Doncaster.

But by the time we got to the start point in Wetherby it was dry and we did not get a drop of rain all day.

In fact by lunchtime we were getting too warm as the temperatures began to rise.

Fifteen of us made the early start from The Wilderness car park alongside the River Wharfe.

The walk was going to be 13+ miles to the east of the A1. Almost entirely flat apart from one very short but very steep bit to get off the main path down to the riverside.

A bit of road walking and a couple of roads to cross but otherwise good tracks and paths and some fields.

There would be no designated refreshment stops. So coffee, lunch and other breaks would be al fresco and random. Along the way we would pass various points of interest.

The River Wharfe on a number of occasions, a racecourse, two prison establishments, a large trading estate, a field full of big goats, two (sadly closed down) public houses and a sewage works.

Providing they came in the right order we would know we were not lost.

We left the car park going east by the footpath out of the far bottom corner and were quickly under the underpass of the A1.

Turning north we went alongside this noisy road before turning east again for the racecourse and the first prison (Wetherby Young Offenders).

We looped back to join the Wetherby Railway Path past the trading estate and the second prison (Thorp Arch) before negotiating that treacherous piece of banking to the riverside.

Now on the other side of the Wharfe we lunched before starting the second half of the walk that would take us past the goats and into Boston Spa.

Despite being the owner of the closed down pubs Boston Spa was looking good. It is an attractive town with some lovely houses and a nice riverside walk ( with a weir ).

We left by crossing the bridge and proceeded north on the roadway before going left and west into the countryside and back alongside the river again.

Coming across the sewage works told us we were still on the right route. As we approached the end of the walk some dark clouds appeared in the skies and I thought our luck with the weather was about to fail.

But it didn't and some of us even managed to enjoy ice cream and lollies from the van in the car park before setting off home.

Thanks to everyone who turned up, took part and supported on this walk (especially Steve and Neil for the photos and back-marking.).

Non-members welcome, just turn up and you will be well looked after.

Doncaster Ramblers supports Doncaster City Council “Get Doncaster Moving” campaign Follow them on Twitter/X: @DoncasterMoving, Facebook: @getdoncastermoving -or use #GetDoncasterWalking

Please visit our website https://www.doncasterramblers.org.uk/ for latest information, including future activity . Also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/doncasterramblers/ for details of past Rambler outings. Remember while out observe the Countryside Code and give way to other walkers.