The best walks in Rotherham

A series of "Doorstep Walks" showcase the very best of Rotherham's green space. Produced by The Ramblers, Britain's walking charity, and Rotherham Council, the aim is to create an easy way to explore the beautiful, local countryside on our doorstep.

Laughton en le Morthen

Laughton has some great walking country. Taking about two hours, this relatively easy four mile walk starts in the centre of the village and takes in a tree lined valley, woods and brooks. You can even extend the walk to take in Roche Abbey (see below).
Download the map here.

Roche Abbey
Another two hour walk, this takes in the abbey ruins, King’s Wood and earthworks known to be the reamains of a castle. Near to Maltby, Roche Abbey is a 12th-century Cistercian monastery now managed by English Heritage. It is renowned for its soaring early Gothic transepts. King's Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Download the map here.

Wentworth

The route starts and finishes in the picturesque Rotherham village of Wentworth where walkers can enjoy the "chocolate box" aesthetics and uniform green doors. At four miles, it takes in the folly known as the Needle’s Eye and Elsecar Heritage Centre over the border in Barnsley.
Download the map here.

Three Domesday Villages
A five mile walk devised by Jim Tompkin where the three villages you pass through are mentioned in the Domesday Book - Kiveton, South Anston and Todwick. This walk is near to the Cuckoo Way – a 46 mile trail which follows the Chesterfield Canal.
Download the map here.

Canklow Wood
This short walk utilises the Rotherham section of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) - a multi-user route across the north of England. Linear Link Paths connect Moorgate and Whiston to the TPT at Canklow Bridge. The Moorgate route starts at the intriguing Boston Castle in Boston Park, Rotherham’s first public park that was opened on the July 4 1876 to mark the centenary of the American Independence.
Download the map here.

The Hail Mary Wood Walk at Treeton
Take in semi-natural ancient woodland - the most valuable type of woodland in the country. The wood is full of bluebells in the spring and is particularly worth a visit at that time.
Download the map here

All of Rotherham's doorstep walks can be found on the council's Public Right of Way online map here. Click on the tab on the top right and turn on just the "Promoted Routes."

Images: English Heritage / Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estates / RMBC