Doncaster Ramblers delighted to walk together again

However, as walks go it’s easy to navigate, no hills, little noise, and just flora and fauna for company.

Despite being flat the skyline is etched with trees, butterflies flutter at your feet, and birds sing among the leaves.

The walk begins on Crow Croft Bridge which straddles the Aire and Calder Navigation – take a moment to gaze at the narrow boats moored on its banks before heading south down Crow Croft Lane on the Trans Pennine Trail.

1. After 650 metres turn right along a bridleway for 500m then at a fingerpost turn right again to cross open fields. Depending on the time of year there may be crops of various types. There is now a steady half-a-mile trek north to reach the canal.

2. The swing bridge ahead has been out of action, so a short detour left to cross at Pollington Lock has been required. Cross and turn right to get back to the swing bridge then turn left passing through a farmyard right then left. After 250m on reaching Main Street turn right and follow the road as it curves left to reach Berridge Lane. Take care on Main Street as the pavement is narrow in parts with blind spots.

3. Continue along Berridge Lane which eventually turns into a track for just more than a mile to reach a T-junction of paths.

Turn right now back on the Trans Pennine Trail and head south for another mile when suddenly the canal comes into view.

Turn right and follow this along the canal bank before it veers off to pass through disused railway bridge and back to the start.

Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, Doncaster Ramblers has restarted a series of walks – which led to members setting off from the car park on Anchorage Lane heading west towards Cusworth Hall, before making our way via the car park onto Back Lane.#

It was great to see some familiar faces after all this time, and of course welcome new ones too.

Turning left, we followed the road for 370m before circumnavigating a field edge clockwise for 300m then turning right onto Long Plantation.

This one-mile stretch of metalised path led us into the heart of Scawsby. an area unfamiliar to me but whose urban sprawl remained hidden behind hedge and fence, although the local playing field provided the ideal spot for a coffee stop.

Once across the busy A635 we turned left onto Roman Ridge.

The Roman Ridge is about a mile-and-three-quarters long and ends – at least on this walk – at Highfield Country Park where we turned right to pick up the Trans Pennine Trail/Doncaster Greenway as it meandered first east for 1,900m to reach Castle Hill, then plunges south bisecting the two villages of Scawthorpe and Bentley.

Following the Trans Pennine Trail for 1.3 miles brings us back to Anchorage Lane.

For more information about the Doncaster Ramblers, see doncasterramblers.org.uk

To download a full copy of the walk programme, see doncasterramblers.org.uk/walks/walks-programme.html

Follow Doncaster Ramblers on Facebook at fb.com/doncasterramblers where GPS Maps

of many past walks can also be found