The Forty-Forth of our “Hubberton Hikers Hikes” is now scheduled for Saturday October 21st 2006. The hike is planned to start at 11am from Roche Abbey. The hike is approximately 11 miles long and will take about 4.5 to 5 hours at a gentle pace. It is planned to have a drink at Heathers / a pub on the return journey home when the hike is completed.
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Roche Abbey is located a few miles East of Rotherham. Suggested route: M62 / M1 to
Sheffield. Continue to J32, then follow M18 a couple of miles to J1. Take A631
as far as Maltby (~2 miles), and A634 a further couple of miles to Roche Abbey.
The walk itself begins by going through a way marked gate and walking along the track to Roche Abbey. Pass the abbey and gatehouse and continue along a path that keeps to the left of the ruins below a limestone cliff. Roche Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in 1147, occupies a remarkably beautiful setting in a sheltered valley. In the 1770’s Capability Brown for the Earl of Scarborough, the local landowner, landscaped the grounds. The transepts are the main surviving portions of the church, rising to their full height and matching their surroundings perfectly. Climb a stile by the abbey and, at a public footpath sign a few yards in front, keep straight ahead along a faint path by a stream on the right, eventually bearing left to climb a stone stile onto a road. Turn right, take the first turning on the right, cross the stream and after a gentle ascent turn sharp left at a public bridleway sign to continue along an uphill track. By some farm buildings, turn right along a walled path, go through a gate and continue by a hedge on the right to a stile. Climb it, turn left to continue along the left edge of a field and, where the hedge on the left ends, keep straight ahead across fields. At a bend a few yards after a path joins from the left, do not follow the field edge to the right but keep ahead diagonally across the field – there is no visible path – towards a solitary tree, cross a grassy strip that marks the former field boundary and continue across the corner of the next field. Negotiate another grassy strip, keep in the same direction across the next field and on the far side turn right alongside the field edge to a track and turn left onto it. The rest of the Walk can be obtained from Leader if desired before the date, otherwise follow “YOUR LEADER” on the day. |
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ANY FRIENDS OR FAMILY CAN JOIN THIS BRILLIANT BAND OF PEOPLE ON THE DAY AT THE SAID TIME. PLEASE INFORM LEADER OF ANY INTAKES!
Although lengthy, this is a relatively easy walk along generally clear and well way marked paths and tracks in the flat country of South Yorkshire. It starts from a picturesque and secluded ruined Abbey and passes through 3 villages and by some interesting and varied churches as it proceeds through a perhaps surprisingly rural, tranquil and unspoilt landscape. The start will be taken at a leisurely pace so as to make sure that ALL those who wish to complete the hike will do so. PLEASE take note of "ANDYS AMBLING ADVICE" and ensure that warm and waterproof clothing is/are taken in case of any change in the weather.
A MAP of the walk is available HERE.
A Microsoft Word version of this page is available for download here (273K)
This page last updated on 14th October 2006