DONCASTER RAMBLERS: Pleasant amble in Bentley only spoilt by flytipping

The route had a few surprises too. Sadly, though the car park was shut due, I was told, to anti-social behaviour, which means parking on the street, in front of private housing, which is not always good.

Recent walks have been mired but this morning thanks to several days of hard frost, it was solid under foot, in fact in some places skating was the problem.

The walk begins at the car park and heads off right along a neat footpath flanked on each side by a regiment of trees standing to attention, on parade waiting for orders.

After a quarter of a mile at a T-junction marked by a single boulder deposited by the late ice age maybe, or a JCB, turn left and continue being honoured by the guard of honour, when suddenly on your right a vast lake appears (well it appears vast) and a vast spider, which luckily does not give chase as you continue towards Shaftholme Farm, whose walls are like mosaics. At the T-junction turn right and head towards the level crossing. With luck they’re up. I had a good ten-minute wait for the Inter-City, and two Metros to pass.

Once over, turn immediately left and walk parallel to the railway on a cinder track, but take care not to miss the turning right after 320 metres just by a locked gate. You might see some grazing ponies and notice the architecture of rail electrification on route but you won’t miss the pile of rubbish dumped for you to negotiate to access the path.

And there is more, an old sofa and a burnt-out van! Sights so common on our public rights of way and green spaces, they no longer shock. The path continues right and after half a mile reached Almholme Road. Turn left, but then at the next two junctions take the right fork and right again at the T-junction (well we are taking a circular route).

Now on Common Lane follow this for 1000 metres to a T-junction and turn right on Arksey Common Lane (one assumes not because of commoners, but of common land). Surrounded by agricultural land with tree lined fields but also in the distance the massive URM recycling centre.

Just short of a mile ahead the path veers left onto Hemp Pits Road at the southern end of Arksey, passing a cemetery on the right and continuing through a narrow tunnel under the railway (mind your head).

Once out turn left then right and head north through Stockbridge with its numerous

caravan parks. Follow the path left then right and continue for a quarter of a mile to turn right and left again so re-entering Bentley Community Woodland. After 170 metres turn left then on reaching the mysterious boulder turn left and head back to the start.

I found this a very pleasant five and a half mile amble spoilt only by fly-tipping.

For more information about the Doncaster Ramblers and future activity please visit https://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.