Carlton Marsh and Barnsley Canal to Royston RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids

 Carlton Marsh and Barnsley Canal to Royston 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with the kids

11/05/25

This walk is a mixture of 2 nature reserves and a canal. We took our binoculars and cameras as we intended to stop and bird watch as well as walk. We decided to count the number of birds we saw, heard or Merlin (app) identified. Max would keep score, Lola would be the identifier and Lacey would help Max to avoid double counts. I would describe the weather as hot for May but not oppressive about 22C which is still warm.
This wonderfully melodic Robin started us off on our walk as we got out of the car.
The first bridge was not very inviting, why is it bridges attract arsonists and rubbish graffiti scrawlers. We had no option so bravely endured the dark nasty under bridge to get to Rabbit Ings Nature Reserve. Come on Royston tidy it up.

The last time Peter and I were on these Ings it was -5 and very hard ground. Today was a balmy 22 and very pleasant indeed. We were steadily adding to our bird count with typical woodland birds.
Here they are 3 of the best grandkids in the world.

We crossed the road and entered Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve where earlier in the week I had heard a cuckoo which is why we were here. Before we got to the first lake we heard 'cuckoo cuckoo'. The kids faces were a picture as they could not believe what they were hearing.
We stopped at a bench and I sat with an old guy and discussed the birds particularly the cuckoo. Our bird count was steadily rising higher and higher. This heron on a pole was a cool addition.
View towards Shafton from one of the bottom benches.We stayed in the reserve for well over half an hour and the cuckoo did not disappoint cuckooing long and often.

We went under 2 bridges and through one tunnel before emerging onto an area that looked shape-wise like an old spoil heap but was covered in a fantastic meadow.

We passed through a tangled woodland and along a well worn path down to the railway.
This very straight path alongside the railway was made more bearable by the faint cuckooing off to our right.
We reached Shaw Viaduct and headed off to our left towards Shaw Bridge on Shaw lane.
As we went along the lane, on a footpath, a pheasant in the field on the other side of the road was proudly walking along. As Lacey got her camera ready the pheasant spotted us and ducked down out of sight occasionally raising his head to look. It was really comical and Lacey missed her shot but she saw the funny side.
At Shaw Bridge we crossed the road and got onto the tow path of the Barnsley Canal which was pretty scruffy at this point.

The views from the canal were enhanced by the overwhelming amount of blossom and the canal itself widened and looked much more picturesque..
We passed some horses which Lola duly admired.
Lola posing in the blossom arch.
The most magnificent pink blossom.


This was the final part of this walk 5 minutes in the park before driving home.
Not a long walk 3.25 miles and not very hilly at only 125 foot ascent but a wonderful walk in the old industrial heartland of Barnsley. I just cannot emphasise enough how nice this walk was. And the bird count, a staggering 34 different species.
Well done kids looking forward to next Sunday. As ever anyone want to join us just get in touch, we start every Sunday at 9.30 from Barnsley.

Lacey's photos







































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