Walks From Brookside Country Park

The Beacon & Nature Walk 1¾ miles

OVERVIEW A circular walk through stather road & bridle path
START Brookside Country Park
DISTANCE 1¾ miles

Leaving the entrance to the park turn right and head up Kings ferry wharf, originally a shipyard founded in 1788. A ferry used to operate from the Ferry House Inn across the river to Garthorpe in the Isle of Axholme, until the 30’s. Turn right passed Villa Farm.

As you ascend the path take the right turn, the start of the nature trail, note the variety of trees- ask, hawthorn are dominant but blackthorn, elder, flowering cherry & dog rose can be found. Flowers include cranesbill, enchanter’s nightshade, hypericum, rosebay, willow herb & wild strawberry.

The Armada Beacon stands at the hilltop commanding a fine view over the river Trent towards Yorkshire. In the distance three power stations can be seen- Ferrybridge, Eggborough & Drax.

Head south and turn left toward the church at the end of the road turn right note across the road on the corner stand the “Old House”, a grade 11 listed building dating back to the 17th century. Continue up Stather Road bringing you full circle to the park entrance.

Catherine’s Wood

OVERVIEW A circular walk Passed Catherine’s Wood & Thealby Hall
START Brookside Country Park
DISTANCE 3 miles

Turn left out of the park and head South towards The Sheffield Arms. Walk past the cottages to the curve in the road & bearing left, carry on to Normanby Road.

Pass “Avenue Cottage” on the right and continue to the junction with Wiltshire Avenue. Turn left up Wiltshire Avenue cross the road at the entrance to the playing fields then turn left towards the bowling green. At the bowling green turn right keeping to the footpath that follows the edge of the playing field; open fields to your left.

Keeping to the footpath cross over the small wooden bridge. Catherine’s Wood is now on your left. This is fairy dense wood with thick undergrowth, carpeted with snowdrops in the spring.

Continue along the path, you will meet the road to Thealby where the fine buildings of Normanby Grange can be seen, over to your right. At this point turn left along the road which has grass verge and hedge rows. Continue along the road to the village of Thealby.

Continuing along the main road, notice the striking Methodist Church on the right. Turn left, following the curve of the road. Pass the charming “Greenhill” & on your right, Thealby Hall. Continue up the road, passing farm buildings, open fields & a small pump house. Just before entering Burton-upon-Stather. Entering the village, pass Wiltshire Avenue on your left. Continue along Darby Road.

Following the bend in the road pass the magnificent Sheffield Arms built in 1687 and the road leading noethwards on Stather Road back to Brookside Country Park.

Brick Ponds Walk 1¾ miles

OVERVIEW A circular walk around Brick Ponds
START Brookside Country Park
DISTANCE 1¾ miles

From the park head south, on your right find Houghton’s Lane. At the end you will be on the river bank path head south passing “Old Row” which was built at the turn of the century for workers in the ship yard. Many boats were built here.

Passing “Old Row” take the next left taking you passed Brick ponds; you may see lilac & yellow scabious and remnants from the gardens and houses which stood near the brickworks. Bricks, tiles & land-drains were once made here & shipped out to the other ports. The brickyards closed in the 1950’s & have since been used by fishing clubs.

At the end of this path turn right and follow the path until you find the stile. Cross on your left and walk diagonally across the field, where horses graze. Look out for cowslips in spring, long-tail tits, yellow hammers and rabbits.

Turn right and follow until you reach the main road, passed Barnstone Way. Head north toward The Sheffield Arms (judge your walk right for opening times and why not nip in for lemonade). Carry on walking up Stather Road passed St Andrew’s Church (note the lych gate which was built in 1910 in Sheffield in memory of Laura Sophia Sheffield who died 3rd December 1898.

A short walk will bring you back to the park. In total this stroll should take you about 1hr perfect time to work up a bit of an appetite for that BBQ in the afternoon!!