'Lovely ramble' starts at historic South Yorkshire site

The abbey was founded in 1147, one of the founders being Richard de Busli, probably the great-nephew of Roger de Busli, builder of Tickhill Castle.

The founding monks came down from Newminster Abbey in Northumberland and this site was chosen for the gushing stream and because it stood on a seam of remarkable rock.

An ancient quarry was developed, the sides of which can still be seen today in the cliff next to the ruins.

Twenty-five years later, at the end of the century, the Norman Gothic great church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was completed.

At its height it supported a community of 175 men, of whom about 60 were the choir monks, the remainder Cistercian lay brothers.

Iin 1538, on the orders of Thomas Cromwell, the abbey was destroyed.

This is a lovely walk of 6.4 miles, full of contrasting scenery and birdsong, from the dense woodland of King’s Wood to the open skies of the King Croft Road.

From the car park walk alongside the abbey fence and turn right at the end, to follow a footpath into and through the King’s Wood.

Near the top take the ascending left-hand path and reach the open countryside.

The path follows a line of trees and, when the trees stop, the magnificent spire of All Saints’ Church in Laughton en le Morthen comes into view.

Nearer the village ignore a path off to the right.

The path ultimately joins New Road, which you follow for a few minutes before turning left at Firbeck Avenue, passing the village hall and recreation ground.

Turn left by a bus stop onto Kingswood Avenue.

Walk 300 yards and turn left, at St John’s Farmhouse, to start walking along the airy Kirk Croft Road.

After about 30 minutes you reach Long Thwaite Wood, which you pass on its left and continue, in a delightful sheltered track, until you reach some cottages, where the route takes you to the right, briefly, and then left and onto a minor road.

Take this road until you reach New Road.

Follow the road into Firbeck and take a little footpath on the left directly alongside St Martin’s Church.

This takes you to site of RAF Firbeck, the site being requisitioned by the Air Ministry in 1940 and becoming the base for the 613 Squadron – the memorial you can see was unveiled in 2011 to honour those who served at the base.

Follow the wide track around to the left until a narrow path leads from it on the right.

Initially a field- edge path this soon becomes a cross-field path and takes you towards the village of Stone, where you join a lane.

Turn left at the end of the lane and then, after 200 yards, go through a narrow gate on the left into a field and turn right.

At the end of the field go through the kissing gate and walk back towards the abbey.

Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, Doncaster Ramblers will restart their programme of led walks from Monday, August 3. Places must be booked – see doncasterramblers.org.uk