Stainborough

Leaving the Strafford Arms we go along Lowe Lane, taking a footpath into woodlands and fields. We cross the remains of the narrow gauge colliery rail track before reaching the outskirts of Hood Green village to enter Bagger Wood. This ancient woodland site comprises a variety of conifers as well as oak, beech and sycamore. We take the logging route through the woods to the Thurgoland boundary which we follow for a short distance to reach Stainborough Lane.

We continue across farmland and along a farm track before returning uphill over open fields to Hood Green where we enter the parkland surrounding Wentworth Castle, the former seat of the Earls of Strafford. The castle gardens were closed to the public in 2017 amidst a funding crisis, however there are plans to reopen them in Summer 2019 following a new partnership between the National Trust, Northern College and Barnsley Council.

Spot the ha-ha and the roaming deer before returning via the Serpentine Bridge and Strafford Gate to our starting point.

This is an interesting walk of approximately 6 miles, which whilst graded ‘Moderate’ is relatively gentle in its ups and downs, albeit with a good number of stiles. It will take around 3 – 3.5 hours including lunch stop.