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River Dearne Way

29.83 miles (48 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Travel from Birds Edge to Mexborough along the River Dearne on this delightful riverside walk through Yorkshire.
The footpath begins at Birds Edge, near Holmfirth and heads east through Daton, Barnsley and Bolton Upon Dearne before coming to an end at Mexborough.
Walk highlights include the splendid Bretton Country Park near the start of the walk.
The country park includes 500 acres of lakes and parkland, housing various sculptures as well as being the home of several endangered species. The fascinating Yorkshire Sculpture Park also sits within the park and is well worth exploring. The only one of its kind, the park is an international centre for modern and contemporary art, which receives thousands of visitors each year. The walk also visits the lovely Dearne Valley park in Barnsley. This riverside park runs along the River Dearne for about two miles and boasts a lake and a variety of wildlife.

Dearne Way OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Dearne Way Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

On the route you'll pass Old Moor where you'll find the Old Moor Tavern. It's a friendly pub with a good menu and an outdoor seating area. Right next to the pub you will also find the RSPB Dearne Valley. This 89-hectare wetlands nature reserve is a nice place to stroll around and look out for wildlife. You can find the pub on Everill Gate Lane with a postcode of S73 0YQ.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The route links with the Emley Circular Trail near the village of Emley. The 6 mile trail explores the area around the pretty village with some fine views of the Upper Dearne Valley.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

The Dearne Way - geograph.org.uk - 517860

By the side of the River Dearne, Himalayan Balsam flanks the sides of the path.

The Dearne Way - geograph.org.uk - 517863

Summer view

A walker on The Dearne Way - geograph.org.uk - 2183554

A walker on trail after heavy snow

Footbridge Over The River Dearne at Darton - geograph.org.uk - 1148907

Footbridge Over The River Dearne at Darton

The River Dearne - geograph.org.uk - 380196

The Dearne Way path runs along the left hand side of the river. Water from old mine workings is discharged into the river just below the tree on the left hand. The water feeds through reedbeds which produce, clean, stream water quality at the inlet to the river.

A cornfield at the side of the Dearne Way - geograph.org.uk - 858299

Cornfield

Down to Bentley Brook - geograph.org.uk - 109276

Down to Bentley Brook

The Fleets - geograph.org.uk - 174618

The Fleets. Popular spot for anglers, just north of the intersection of the A635 and A61 in Barnsley. The footpath continues to the left from this viewpoint, around the edge of the lake before swinging north-westward up the river.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Dearne Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Dearne Way.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)