1. From the church, walk along Wadworth Hall Road around the playing fields, passing Wadworth Hall. 2. At the end of the high stone boundary wall enter a strip of woodland, on the edge of the limestone ridge, and keep left to walk parallel with the road, a few metres away. At the end of the woodland, re-join the road and walk round to the right into Tofield Road. 3. Walk down this minor road, with in the middle distance ahead. 4. Turn left at the bottom of the road and walk under the A1(M)/M18 junction – an awe-inspiring sight from below. Follow the road round to the mast and take the track to its left. 5. After about 200m take the track on the left, walking towards Wadworth Woods. 6. Follow the path around the edge of the woods until it reaches the M18. 7. The track runs alongside the motorway for a short distance before reaching a junction of paths. Turn left to follow the bridleway under the motorway and into Wadworth Wood. Ignore a long up-hill track on the left and keep on the track ahead through the woods. 8. At the end of the woods continue along the track, known as Paddock Lane, to the road, known as Long Gate. 9. Turn left along Long Gate for 400m. Turn right down a bridleway which runs to the left of a hedge and passes a reservoir on the left before rising gently to Lodge Farm. 10. Turn left at the farm and walk for about 350m along the farm road, almost to the end of Ant Wood. Take the bridleway on the left towards Wilsic Hall School. The path goes right, left, and right again before reaching Wilsic Road. 11. Turn left and follow the road around right, back to Wadworth. Turn left just before the village green to return to the church.

Wadworth is a lovely village about 4 miles from the centre of two fine tombs within the church. During the 2nd World War the Yorkshire Archaeological Survey found evidence that these early Doncaster. It is situated on a limestone ridge, with the church being church was used as a look-out post. groups of humans had been using caves and natural rock outcrops a significant landmark for miles. There was originally an Anglo- in Wood as shelter and bases for hunting. Quantities of Saxon burial site here. The church dates from the 12th Century, with Edlington Woods are the location of many archaeological finds. flint tools from the period were unearthed near to the rock shelters. two aisles and the south chapel, being added later. The west tower About 10,000 years ago, in the final stages of the last Ice Age, At this time the landscape of the area was vast treeless tundra, with was built in the 15th Century. By the 15th Century a branch of the Edlington was a place of settlement for groups of early nomadic forestation from about 7500BC. Fitzwilliam family of Sprotbrough had settled in Wadworth; there are humans. The groups had followed the improving climate northwards as the ice sheets covering Europe retreated. In 2003 the South This is a pleasant walk, mostly along tracks, some within Doncaster Ramblers Wadworth Woods and some in open countryside. There Short Circular Walks From are a couple of short sections on road, although only one We walk on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year, of these - Long Gate – is a busy road. with walks on Wednesday evenings in the summer. We The Heron Way publish a Walks Programme twice a year, which contains information about each walk – the length, difficulty, the start place and the leader. The leader’s telephone number is 2 Wadworth always given, so phone him or her with any queries. We also organise coach trips and one weekend away Distance: 5.5 miles/8.8Km every year. Start: Wadworth Church Doncaster Group website: www.doncasterramblers.org Ramblers national website: www.ramblers.org.uk Grid Ref: SK569971 Walks Programmes are available from Doncaster Tourist Sketch map not to scale, use in conjunction with: Information Office. Map: OS Explorer 279/Landranger 111 Price £1

Public Transport: Service 22 Doncaster-Worksop The Heron Way is a series of eight walks through pleasant countryside linking nature reserves, tourist sites, lovely villages and the best view points mainly in the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough. Together these linear walks create a 30 mile leisure walk, designed primarily for walking in sections, or as a one day challenge walk, readily accessible by public transport from Doncaster or by car. The short walks in this series of leaflets are circular and include a portion of the Heron Way.

The Countryside Code Walk 1 - Be safe…plan ahead and follow signs. Walk 2 - Wadworth Leave gates and property as you find them. Walk 3 - Old Edlington Protect plants and animals and take your litter home. Walk 4 - Hooton Roberts Keep dogs under close control. Walk 5 - Consider other people. Walk 6 - High Melton Devised and published Walk 7 - Hickleton by Doncaster Ramblers The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, regis- Walk 8 - Hooton Pagnell tered in and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Regis- Walk 9 - Highfields tered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.