Explore the River Don thanks to Doncaster Ramblers

At just under seven-and-a-half miles, it is further than our normal local walks, but there are plenty of places to stop on route.

The walk begins on the north side of North Bridge at the Three Horse Shoes Pub.

1) With your back to the pub cross the road and turn left along the front of the Volkswagen Showroom.

A footpath sign pointing right is at the edge of the building.

Follow the footpath for three-and-a-quarter miles as it winds alongside the River Don’s northern bank, towards Sprotbrough.

2) Some 225 metres after leaving Newton and before a wooden gate, watch out for a footpath downhill on the left.

Take this as it veers right to cross a stile.

Continue along the raised embankment passing under the railway, and A1(M) before reaching Sprotbrough.

4) After passing under Sprotbrough Bridge, do a right hand loop to cross over the bridge, taking care to stay on the pavement and also stay on the pavement were possible up the serpentine.

5) At the top of the hill just on the third bend, take the footpath as it heads into woods.

After three-quarters of a mile – and 350m after passing under the motorway – take footpath left through underpass and continue on route till you reach the rowing clubhouse where a metalised path right heads across playing fields.

At a crossing of tarmac paths, turn right and enter Urban Road. Continue for three-quarters of a mile, then turning right along Hexthorpe Road and over railway bridge turning left onto St Sepulchre Gate passing in front of the railway station to enter Frenchgate/Interchange.

6) Head through the Interchange and on exit turn left towards spiral staircase, head up and at the summit turn right and cross North Bridge to reach the start.

Earlier this month, Ramblers enjoyed a 10-mile circular walk from High Melton Wood to Barnburgh and back, through muddy fields, open pastures and dense forest.

The well-planned route which took us south from Melton Wood through High Melton and on to the E8 European Long Distant Route skirting, on the way, Denaby Ings Nature Reserve.

Passing directly though the village of Harlington, we progressed on to Barnburgh for our lunch stop at St Peter’s Church.

Suitably refreshed we headed for Barnburgh Cliffe and the limestone escarpment following it northwest towards Hicketon, before making a U-turn and going south east along a parallel path re-joining Barnburgh Cliff at its southern edge before making a southern loop to re-enter Melton Wood and back to the start.

For further information about the group and details of future planned walks, see doncasterramblers.org.uk