More information - Gibbing Greave & Herringthorpe Woods

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GIBBING GREAVE & HERRINGTHORPE WOODS - A SHORT TRAIL

View from the southern edge of Gibbing Greave across a field to the northern edge of Herringthorpe Wood.

The starting point for this trail is the car park in Herringthorpe Valley Park. Alternatively, the trail could be joined from the either of the two access points into Gibbing Greave from Brecks Lane (between points 8 and 9 on the trail); from the bridge into Herringthorpe Wood from Great Bank, adjacent to the 'Crocodile and Clock' sculpture (point 13 on the trail); or at the entrance from Brookside (point 16 on the trail).

The trail is just over 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) long and is straightforward to follow. Although most of the trail is on easy paths, parts are on moderately steep slopes and other areas, particularly along the streamside in Herringthorpe Wood, can be muddy.

1. From the car park can be seen a patchwork of fields separated by overgrown hedges, many of which are of value as a wildlife habitat. This landscape is a relict of the time at which this was a predominantly agricultural area.

Follow the path at the far corner of the car park from the access road down into the valley, with tennis courts on your left. At the bottom, turn right up the valley.

2. The stream to your left is Herringthorpe Beck which starts in Herringthorpe Wood and is joined by a stream flowing through Gibbing Greave. Associated with the stream are Alder and a variety of Willow species. On the far side is a hedge composed of Hawthorn.

Continue along the path, go through the gate, cross the stream and turn left.

3. To the left of the path can be seen the confluence (joining point) of the streams flowing through the two woods.

Follow the path towards the edge of Gibbing Greave with the stream to the left.

4. The streamside here supports a wide variety of tree and shrub species, including Oak, Hawthorn, Willow, Elder, Hazel, Alder, Birch, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Ash and Hybrid Black Poplar. Of these, the last two are represented by some particularly tall trees. In late summer and early autumn, look for Hawthorn and Elder berries and 'seed cones' of Alder.

Continue along the path and enter the woodland of Gibbing Greave. Ignore the eroded path to the left immediately inside the wood, continuing a short way to the top of the steps which descend to cross the stream.

5. This point provides a clear view into the interior of the woodland, showing a dense tree canopy with very few shrubs beneath. The trees in the foreground are largely Oaks, with planted Beeches being dominant beyond. Note that because the tree canopy here casts too much shade, there is little in the way of regeneration (regrowth of young trees) except in some patches where gaps in the canopy have let in light.

Turn down the steps and cross the bridge over the stream. Follow the path uphill with the stream to your right.

6. This glade has been opened up in a formerly wooded area cleared to let in light and encourage the growth of young trees. Notice the way in which young trees of Beech, Oak, Birch and Willow have begun to grow prolifically on the edges of the glade. The lower parts of a number of dead trees have been left standing as these support a wide variety of wildlife including fungi, insects and hole nesting birds.

The path that you have been following divides just below the glade. Retrace your steps a short way to the path junction and take the right hand (lower) path.

7. You have now entered the area of Gibbing Greave with the most 'natural' vegetation. Oak is the most common tree here and beneath it is a relatively dense shrub layer of Holly and Bramble. Although this is the most natural area of woodland, this area has, over a long period of time, been influenced by woodland management and as a result it is said to be 'semi-natural'. This means that it displays something of its original character and species composition whilst having been modified by human activity.

Continue along the path.

8. This is an excellent point from which to compare the semi-natural Oak-dominated woodland on this side of the stream, with its dense shrub layer and rich ground flora; and the Beech plantation on the far side, which has much bare ground and little in the way of a shrub layer. These differences result from the way in which the dense Beech canopy lets through much less light than that of the semi-natural woodland.

Continue along the path, taking care as there is a moderately steep slope down to the stream. Just before you reach the edge of the wood, turn right across the small plank bridge over the (often dry) stream channel. Before reaching the gate, turn right through the upper parts of the Beech plantation.

9. Here you can see, at close hand, the way in which the Beech-dominated plantations support very little in the way of either a shrub layer or ground flora. Instead there are substantial areas of bare soil. Note the way in which more light is able to gain access at the woodland edge where as a result there is a better developed shrub layer and a richer ground flora. Look for the seed cases of Beech seeds (known as beech mast) on the ground.

Continue along the path through the upper part of the Beech plantation. Where the path divides, keep left on the upper path, parallel to the woodland edge. On reaching the far edge of the woodland, turn left through a gap into the upper edge of Herringthorpe Wood.

10. The point where the two woods meet provides a view across the upper parts of Herringthorpe Valley Park. For a better view, leave the woodland edge and cross an area of mown grass to the far edge of a group of planted willows. However, do not go further than this onto the pitch and putt course.

This point provides a view across Rotherham, situated in the valley of the River Don, and in the distance takes in three features associated with the Wentworth Woodhouse estate, these being (from left to right) Keppel's Column, the spire of Wentworth church and the folly of Hoober Stand.

Take the main path down into Herringthorpe Wood, rather than the one leading to the left along the field boundary.

11. The woodland area to the right of the path is relatively young in comparison to those on the rest of the site, being only 15 to 20 years old and having developed on an area that was previously grassland. Sycamore and Oak are the dominant tree species, along with smaller quantities of Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Elder, Ash, Crab Apple and Crack Willow.

Continue down the path, keeping straight on at the path junction.

12. You have now entered another plantation area. This is somewhat more mixed than that in Gibbing Greave and as well as Beech has a significant quantity of Sweet chestnut and Oak. Despite this, a shrub layer is again largely absent and the ground is still generally bare.

Continue down the path towards the bridge. Cross the bridge over the Herringthorpe Beck.

13. This side of the stream is not strictly part of Herringthorpe Wood, being instead on the edge of Great Bank , an area of grassland, scrub, young woodland and old quarries. The feature close to the bridge is the 'Crocodile and Clock' a piece of environmental art created by an artist working in conjunction with local teenagers

Recross the bridge and take a path (at first, rather indistinct) along the streamside.

14. Note the way in which the Herringthorpe Beck has cut into its bed and banks at times of high flow.

Continue along the path, with the stream to your left. Do not cross the first bridge but keep on, still with the stream to your left. Take care here, particularly after wet weather, as the path which is on a bank above the stream can be muddy.

15. This is an area of streamside woodland which, unlike the plantation area above, supports a wide variety of trees and shrubs including Sycamore, Ash, Hazel, Beech, Elder, Birch, Oak, Hawthorn, Rowan and tall trees of Hybrid Black Poplar.

Carry on along the path with the stream on your left, continuing to take care on areas of muddy ground. Just past the end of the houses on the far bank of the stream, cross the bridge over the stream to the gate.

16. This gate is another example of environmental art, this time designed and carved by a local artist. The rabbit on the gate post is easy to spot. Look also for the carved leaf shapes and the animal tracks.

Recross the bridge and turn left along the stream. Keep on along the stream into the narrow strip of woodland, continuing to take care on areas of wet and muddy ground. Follow the path onto the boardwalk, taking care as this can be slippery when wet.

17. Here the marshy area along the stream is occupied by wet Alder-dominated woodland, known as alder carr. As well as alder, other tree and shrub species in this area include Sycamore, Hazel, Elder and Hawthorn. The ground flora is lush and includes Nettle, Dog's Mercury, Bittersweet, Great Willowherb and Buttercup. Note the way in which Beech, Sycamore, Sweet Chestnut and Oak become dominant on higher ground on the edge of the woodland.

At the end of the boardwalk, continue along the path.

18. At this point, on the far side of the stream, can be seen an open marshy area with wetland vegetation dominated by Reed Sweet-grass and Greater Willowherb.

Leave the woodland at its far end and turn left along the surfaced path. Turn left at the path junction and through the gate. Turn left again up the path under a line of trees. At the top, turn right and follow the access road back to the car park.