Wentworth...Hoober.

29/04/2018.

I like to get up early and get out...This morning I opened one eye,blinked, opened the other eye,looked at the clock...Damn its 8.30. Decided to stay local.
We drove to Wentworth for a walk we have done dozens of times, a bit of a South Yorkshire favourite. Parked up at Holy trinity church, a fine old church with a huge spire, a spire that is visible for miles around. A spire that will always be popping up in views during this mornings walk.

We set off across the fields towards Elsecar, a bit muddy underfoot, lets hope everywhere drys out soon. I noticed that the fields of Oil seed rape are beginning to colour up nicely, I love to see these fields of Yellow every April/May.

Before we reached Elsecar i decided to change the route to take in Kings wood as I had a feeling that there would be a carpet of Bluebells covering the ground..i wasn't disappointed, we were greeted and treated to quite a display. Apparently half of the worlds Bluebells can be found in the UK. So lucky to be able to see these beauties each spring.

A steady climb from the woods and we were up on the broad ridge that separates Wentworth from the Dearne valley. Several people along here, excellent views along here too, After awhile we passed the Needles eye, one of several follies built around the Wentworth woodhouse estate. Legend has it that Earl Fitzwilliam built the structure as the result of a wager that he could drive his horse and carriage through the eye of a needle...It is also said to be the site of a death by firing squad, there are several pockmarks in the stone said to have come from Musket shot.

We picked up a lane to pass through the small hamlet of Street, some lovely old cottages along here.

Before long we found our way up to Hoober stand,a 98ft pyramidical tower that stands on the highest ground in the borough of Rotherham. It was built to commemorate the quashing of the Jacobite rebellion in 1745. I remember climbing the steps to the top a few years ago to see the fantastic long range views...It was closed today but I believe it is open to the public on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer months..Well worth a look.

Downhill to the village from here. Some lovely walks around these parts, often overlooked. In fact most of South Yorkshire is overlooked by walkers as it is rushed through by folk heading for the Peak district. The boroughs of Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster all have some beautiful places to walk.

Back at Wentworth we decided to go to have a look at the big house, When I say big house, I mean huge, massive house...in fact Wentworth woodhouse is one of the largest houses in the whole of Europe. Its quite a spectacle, After years of neglect I believe it has quite recently been bought for something like 7 Million pound and is being restored to its former glory. I understand that they have started house tours and the gardens are soon due to open to the public ....all good news.

We walked back to the car along the main street, The blue and yellow Yorkshire bunting was out in preparation for the Tour de Yorkshire which is due to pass through here in a few days time. I enjoyed todays little walk,.