DONCASTER RAMBLERS: Warning to do this walk when it's dry

This week Doncaster Ramblers kept it local with a walk from Hatfield.
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There are several viable footpaths north of Hatfield, indeed our colleague Charlie took us there last December during a break in lockdown, and very pleasant it was too, but I was inspired by a recent article in the DFP about a new road (B1538) just opened from the M18 to Stainforth, and thought I’d include that in my ramble.

Incidentally, many of our local walks are now available online, see below.

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A health warning – best do this walk, in dry weather; it got muddy, also there is a steep embankment to climb; lastly fly tipping, you will hear me rant.

Do this walk when it's dry as it got rather muddyDo this walk when it's dry as it got rather muddy
Do this walk when it's dry as it got rather muddy

Begin at the front of St Lawrence Church and make your way down the right hand side then turn left behind the church taking care not to miss the narrow ginnel on the right.

Take this and continue onwards to the Jubilee Park car park. Enter Jubilee Park and

stick to the left hand edge veering left through trees by ditch. Continue onwards

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passing the Hatfield Water Park on the right and continue straight ahead at the finger

The walk was only marred by fly tippingThe walk was only marred by fly tipping
The walk was only marred by fly tipping

post. The roar of the motorway can be heard in front.

Climb the steps, turn left and continue keeping as close to the embankment as

possible. After a third of a mile follow the path left keeping to the right of the fence, finally moving clockwise around the round-a-bout following the fingerposts to enter the Doncaster (North) Services.

If the footpath is flooded continue along the fence until reaching the Travelodge and turn left behind the building. A bit further on at the Fire Exit sign to the left there is a gap in the hedge to re-join the route. Continue for 300 metres turning left to walk adjacent to the M18 for a further quarter of a mile to reach farm buildings by the motorway underpass.

Start at St Lawrence ChurchStart at St Lawrence Church
Start at St Lawrence Church
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It’s almost impossible these days to visit our urban countryside and not come across fly-tipping. On this short walk I come across at least four sites, mostly builders’ debris. Have these people got no guilt or shame? It’s a disgrace.

At this point any attempt to find a public right of way failed and the only option was

to turn left (beware of dog on a chain) and follow the field edge for half a mile, before

climbing a steep embankment.

At the top turn left then follow the path right as it heads back towards the Services (seen in the distance as you cross the new B1538).

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Continue south for another 480m then at a crossing of paths turn right.

Now on the home stretch after a quarter of a mile turn left and in the distance you can see Hatfield on the horizon. Continue straight for half a mile to reach Station Road. Once there turn left to reach the start in 700m.

This walk is five miles but felt further in the mud and despite motorway noise, birdsong could still be heard in the hedgerows.

For more walks visit www.doncasterramblers.org.uk

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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