Take a walk with the Doncaster Ramblers – RSPB Reserve and Dunsville treks

Doncaster Ramblers on their Dunsville walk

This week there are two walks – one around Dearne Valley RSPB Reserve and another near Dunsville.

Disregarding adverse weather and traffic reports, 31 of us met at the RSPB Old Moor Reserve for a leisurely 9.3 mile stroll through this now lush, post-industrial landscape of lakes, rivers, trails and woodland.

As we left, the skies brightened for our return journey along the Trans Pennine Trail which was bordered by blossoming blackthorn trees and the green haze of fresh leaves bursting out of their buds on the ash, alder, birch and chestnut trees. We reached our cars with the sun sparkling on the reserve lakes and peewits ducking and diving above the swaying reedbeds.

Doncaster Ramblers on their Dearne Valley Reserve walk

Dearne Valley RSPB Reserve. This is an 89-hectare (220-acre) wetlands nature reserve near Barnsley – Old Moor. Old Moor is managed to benefit bitterns, breeding waders such as lapwings, redshanks and avocets, and wintering golden plovers. In 2000, the reserve had only 10,000 visitors annually, but by 2018 the 89-hectare (220-acre) reserve had about 100,000 visits per year

The Trans Pennine Trail This is a long distance footpath, which can be accessed within towns and cities on route and then walk into the countryside. The Trail is largely purpose built using canals, riversides, disused railway lines and urban cycle paths – More than 70 percent of the Trail is traffic-free.

The Trail is a multi-user route designed with walkers in mind and provides a great way to explore the countryside whether that’s just an afternoon stroll or a journey across northern England. Most of the Trail is relatively flat, so it provides easy walking, and the route is comprehensively signed. For much of the route, walkers share the Trail with cyclists and horse riders.

The Dunsville walk did not disappoint, coming in at exactly two hours, and about five miles. So on a chilly morning John welcomed ten of us, before giving a short briefing then leading us through the magnificent Quarry Park – an extensive area of grass, trees and shrubs with several play areas, some for adults too. We then walked to Dunscroft and into Hatfield. After rounding the two big bends on the A18 we set off along Carr Side Lane and walked past the huge Ruane Potato establishment alongside the M18.