GEOLOGY
Coal Measures rocks, formed during the Carboniferous period of geological history, underlay the area.

Under the majority of the site, these consist of relatively soft mudstones and shales. Along the eastern and south-western edges of the site, these softer rocks are replaced
by sandstones. On the upper part of the site these have been extensively quarried to provide the building stone known as Rotherham or Mexborough Red Rock, which can
be seen in use in a number of Rotherham's buildings, including the Parish Church.

Where exposed in quarry faces, these sandstones often show 'cross-bedding' which
results from the way in which the rocks were deposited in layers on the edge of a shallow sea.

LANDSCAPE
Canklow Wood is situated on a west-facing hillside overlooking the valley of the River Rother. This position makes the site a very prominent feature in the landscape, which dominates southern and western approaches to Rotherham, particularly from the M1 and the Sheffield Parkway.

SOILS
The soils at Canklow Wood are generally acid, particular over the sandstones where there has been some intense leaching of nutrients. In other areas, there are deeper brown earths with somewhat less acid organic matter.

VIEWPOINTS

The view westwards from Boston Castle showing the Magna Centre and the steelworks of the Rother Valley.

Upper parts of the site offer extensive views across the Don Valley and Sheffield. The best viewpoints are from the top north-east corner of the site and particularly from Boston Castle in the adjoining area of Boston Castle Park where there is a plaque showing the direction of a variety of places of interest.

Features that can be seen from here include the steelworks below Canklow and in the Don Valley. The Magna Centre can be seen in front of Tinsley Viaduct with its two adjacent disused cooling towers in front and Meadowhall behind. To the north (right) can be seen the follies of Keppel's Column and Hoober Stand, both associated with the Wentworth Woodhouse estate.

It is worthwhile trying to imagine the view from this point before the start of the Industrial Revolution, with the high moorland of the Peak District visible beyond the rolling countryside of the Lower Don Valley.