Ravenfield Grange RFM Blue Line


 Ravenfield Grange

RFM Blue Line

12/01/26



Another local walk in the Rotherham area.

The walk started near Wickersley Park, a small unimpressive urban park, on a wet but warm January day.

Out of the park the route went through the absolutely ubiquitous Flanderwell estate, a mixture of council and private houses jostling very close together.


Leaving the estate the views over Rotherham Park Gate towards Rawmarsh even with the mothballed steel works were not unpleasant.

I enjoyed the views from here. There were a few dog walkers and runners but I didn't actually pass anyone just saw them. The hill towards the old muck stack of Silverwood colliery loomed in front of me. If you didn't know what it was you would just assume it was a natural hill. The mining industry is disappearing into the landscape year by year.

Its muddy but high and open so a good place.
This is just so typical of the landscaped old mine workings all around the Yorkshire and Nottingham coalfield.

Its a large open area frequented by dog walkers and there were a few around. The big Silverwood Pit wheel at the entrance to the old mine is a sight to behold. My generation is the last one to see these wheels working on the top of pit winding houses.

I crossed the road and entered Silverwood itself.
Various humps and bumps for cycling have been created in these woods. I liked the winter starkness of it all.

Out of the woods I got my first glimpse of Ravenfield in the valley below. My boots and trousers by now were quite muddy. The landscape had changed from post industrial to old rural farmland in the space of a few hundred yards.

The sunken path or Haha, yes that is what they are called, went down to Ravensfield. I passed an old lady trying to control 2 huge dogs. She walked a short distance into the scrubby field to keep me safe but still managed a friendly wave and hello.
This tree attracted me in its non-symmetrical grandeur.


Ravenfield is a pretty little very exclusive place with some old buildings and this lane to the church, called Thryberg Lane. Again more dog walkers but this time I passed them and exchanged greetings.


What a very pretty well hidden church Ravenfirield has. The roof on the tower is particularly pleasing.
Big fields and low winter skies but no ice and snow make me very happy.

Leaving Ravenfield past an old stone house, a big dairy farm, a few hens and a huge muddy beet field with little discernable path somehow felt like walkers were to be discouraged. The signs were there but the way was unpleasant, probably deliberately so.


I joined Arbour Lane near the top a familar sight as I had walked down it in the opposite direction on Saturday. I could still see the square tower of Conisbrough castle in the distance. I just love it when walks link so well.

I re-traced my Saturday steps to Ravenfield Grange passing this lady with her 2 Daschunds called Millie and Tillie. We chatted and the dogs were happy to be stroked, a good encounter.
I walked along the road passed the cross roads at Ravenfield Common.

This walk and cycle way allowed me quickly to move through Sunnyside to Bramley. I passed absolutely no-one on this section.


From Bramley it was a longish hill up to my car. I actually walked past it in error as I thought it was on another road, duh.


Another 71/2 mile walk with quite a lot of urban but an interesting chunk of rural. Rotherham never fails to produce interesting walks.

os map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30256061/ravenfield-grange-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.44034&lon=-1.29613&zoom=12.5085&style=Leisure&type=2d











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