Route Developer: Terry Howard

Route Checker: Dot Balcome

Although the walking time is 1 hour 15 minutes, this includes time to read all the noticeboards along the route (which is worth the effort).

[1]  Start at the corner of Woodbourn Road with Jessel Street.  Cross over Woodbourn Road and the tram tracks by the traffic lights to enter Worthing Road opposite. There is an open space to the right of the road and it is possible to walk on this providing you rejoin Worthing Road lower down.  Alternatively, you can remain on the pavement on the left hand side of the road and cross to the right hand side when you reach the Woodbourne Hotel.

[2] At the Woodbourne Hotel turn right into Bacon Lane, opposite and cross Bacon Lane Bridge (a narrow red brick bridge over the canal) with care, as there is no footpath, and at the end of the road cross over Effingham Road ahead to enter Stoke Street opposite. (Again take care.) Follow Stoke Street on its left hand pavement for a short distance, then take the path on the left which overlooks the River Don.

[3] When the path meets Attercliffe Road, turn left over Washford Bridge.  Once across the bridge, take the access path immediately on your left (through the arch) down to the Five Weirs Walk. Continue along the path as far as a large wood carving of a salmon. At the carving, turn sharp left along the river side, under Washford Bridge and continue along the river side – the river will be on your right. This diversion under the bridge saves trying to cross the busy Attercliffe Road.

(A) As you enter the Five Weirs Walk ( http://www.fiveweirs.co.uk/ ) you pass a noticeboard with interesting information about this area which is called Salmon Pastures.  This is the first of four noticeboards of this type along the river section of the walk. (The following section of the riverside walk closes at the end of the afternoon, check for signs.)

[4] Continue along the path, then go through the gate at the end of this section and up to the East Coast Road. On your way you pass the second noticeboard “Royds Mill”. Turn right briefly then cross over the road to continue along the river path (this time walking with the river to your left). Take care crossing the road.

[5] Pass Sanderson’s Weir, and head under a bridge and up onto Stevenson Road. (B) By the weir you can stop and read the third noticeboard. Cross over and continue along the riverside path. (C) Towards the end of the bend in the river you will see a fourth noticeboard, “Hecla”.

[6] Soon after this noticeboard you will also see a path to the right.  Take this path into the cemetery of Christ Church.

(D) The church was bombed and demolished in 1940. It is possible to walk through the cemetery, providing you return to the iron gates.

Follow the path on the right by the side of the wall (if the path is too overgrown with hanging branches, go up the steps and make your way through the cemetery) heading right towards two sets of iron gates.

[7] Leave the cemetery through the gates onto Attercliffe Road and turn left along the road to reach the junction at the traffic lights. Go a little futher on to the pedestrian crossing. Cross Attercliffe Road here to enter Worksop Road signposted to the Don Valley Stadium. (Take care as Attercliffe Road can be busy.)

[8] Continue past the entrance to the Don Valley Stadium car park and head under the railway bridge and through the dark arch of the aqueduct (carrying the canal). Cross the road at the end of the white railings, and turn right back along Worksop Road.

[9] Just before the bridge, turn left up the steps to the canal towpath. Turn left along the towpath for a short distance. Before the next (railway) bridge, take the path up to the left over the open space, keeping straight on the grassy area, until it meets a wrought iron gate.  Pass through the gate into Shirland Lane (no road sign).

[10] At Shirland Lane turn right and cross over two bridges (over the canal), to meet the tram tracks at the traffic lights. Without crossing the tram tracks, turn left and head for the tram stop. Continue past the tram stop and along the path to take a bridge on your left.  This takes you back over the canal and emerges near the corner of Roundell Street and Palmer Street.

[11]  Walk to the right (around the back of the power tool superstore) and down onto Staniforth Road. Cross at the traffic lights. Turn right then immediately left into Woodbourn Road, crossing the tram tracks, and follow the tram tracks back to the starting point.