Doncaster and Rotherham to Sheffield City Centre

From Pedalpushers

Doncaster and Rotherham to Sheffield

On-road route map Doncaster to Thrybergh

From Doncaster Station as you leave turn right and take St Sepulchre Gate West to Cleveland St at which point you should dismount and walk along until you reach Roberts Rd, on the other side of the railway bridge. Turn left onto Littlemoor Lane, and you are on a signed cycle route which you follow straight until you reach your first route choice at Balby - to take to the Trans-Pennine Trail or continue by road. The TPT has recently been resurfaced and is an interesting scenic ride. This section is not suitable for tricycles but is manageable on a tandem or with a trailer.

If you choose the TPT route, take the signposted right turn and follow the track along the side of a playing field, and then take the rough track down to the River Don which you cross on a converted railway bridge and continue straight for about another ¼ mile, before doubling back to the right and down to the river. Take the trail through to the Earth Centre at Conisbrough. The Earth Centre is closed at the time of writing, and there seems to be no date for reopening. Cross the river via the Don Bridge entrance and, leaving the car park, turn right onto the A6023 for a short time. (If you need a tea break, go left on the A6023 instead and follow the signs to Conisbrough castle. There is a cafe at the old castle lodge.) Just before the level crossing at Denaby Main turn left and follow this minor road through Old Denaby to the B6090, turn left then first right to the A630 (T), turn r. and proceed with care towards Thrybergh.

If you are stuck for time, continue on the road towards Warmsworth. You will emerge from Tenter Lane and turn left onto Mill Lane, reaching the A630 (T) shortly thereafter. Turn right here and you are heading for Rotherham. It's mostly not too bad for a trunk road apart from a short section at Thrybergh which is 60 mph. If you feel intimidated by fast traffic take to the pavement - there's unlikely to be anyone about and if the authorities can't be bothered to protect you it is our view that you have the right to protect yourself.

Another chance for a cup of tea and a sticky bun here, Thrybergh Country park has a cafe popular with cyclists. This is on the A630(T) opposite the junction with Carr Lane, where our TPT option rejoins the road route.

To continue towards Sheffield on the National Cycle Network, cross the roundabout with care and continue on the dual carriageway towards Rotherham. About one mile from the roundabout turn right onto Shakespeare Rd, then left onto Eldon Rd, look out for a path past a playground on r. which will take you to a bridge firstly over the River Don, then another over the South Yorkshire Navigation over which you will have to carry your bike. Once over continue towards & through Rotherham to Tinsley viaduct (you can't miss it.) Welcome to one of the mostly highly polluted areas in the UK. This section is not suitable for tricycle, tandems or trailers. We suggest this route because there is no right of way along the canal to Aldwarke Lane (A6123) although Rotherham Council are alleged to be working on it.

For an alternative on-road route, take the first left , at the Thrybergh roundabout, Herringthorpe Valley Road, and the first right onto Doncaster Rd. Follow to Doncaster Gate and High St (you may have to dismount in some sections) Turn left on Westgate, then right onto Sheffield Rd. Follow through to Tinsley.

(You pass the Magna centre on your right) Just before Tinsley M1 Junction 34 we would recommend that you take the track behind the advertising hoarding leading to the canal and follow the towpath underneath the viaduct, even if you intend to return to the road on the other side, which you can do easily.

From Tinsley there are three main options for continuing to the city centre :-

(A). You can use the Sheffield Canal towpath all the way into the city (you should get a permit from British Waterways for the section from Meadowhall to Victoria Wharf). The canal towpath is unlit, rough in places and muddy in all but the driest weather. Follow the towpath for 1.2 miles from Tinsley viaduct, where you will be directed to cross to the opposite bank by the Sheffield Arena and onto the road. Turn left and head back along the road away from Sheffield for 50 yards, then left again down a short little track to regain the towpath. This little loop will avoid using the steps to get back to the canal. From here the track deteriorates and there are a couple of squeezes under narrow bridges between Attercliffe and Victoria Wharf. 3.2 miles after leaving Tinsley you will pass under the Cadman Street bridge, and then the railway viaduct. Under the viaduct, follow the signs through a small doorway in the wall onto Blast Lane. The towpath beyond this point is part of the Victoria quays development where security guards enforce the no cycling rule even though there are no pedetrains to inconvenience. Turn right on Blast Lane and follow the red tarmac cycle path to the footbridge, which will take you over the traffic of Park Square roundabout and towards the city centre.

(B) The Five Weirs Walk cycle/pedestrian route is a generally faster and more pleasant way, but does have some road crossings and a short section of on road cycling. From the canal towpath at Tinsley, cross the pedestrian/cycle bridge over the railway track and the river. Cross the tram tracks by the level crossing, then turn right on the red tarmac cycle path. Follow this to where it divides, taking the right hand fork under the road bridge. The path runs parallel to the river and crosses Weedon Street, then turns left on to Carbrook St. Just before the junction with the main road, turn right to follow the cycle path on the pavement. This crosses Milford St and then Janson St. Follow the pavement cycle path along Janson St, then left on Bold St. After 150 yards, turn right on the cycle path and cross the river by the footbridge. The 5ww is easy to follow from here, it crosses Newhall Rd, Stevenson Rd and East Coast Rd. The stretch between East Coast Rd and the next bridge on Attercliffe Rd (Washford Bridge) closes 30 minutes after sunset, and opens 30 minutes before sunrise, so you may need to follow the road round. The trail temporarily leaves the river and emerges on Warren St. NEW - The Section between Norfolk Bridge and the Cobweb Bridge is now open. Go straight across Leveson St and follow the signs along the walkway, across the Bailey Bridge and along the the shared use pavement to the amazing Cobweb Bridge which passes under the railway arch. Follow the final section of the walk to Blonk St, turn right and wheel along the pavement to the traffic lights. These roads are very busy -take care. Use the bus gate to reach Waingate & the City Centre,

In either direction using the 5WW and Cobweb bridge is the quietest and most interesting way.

(C) the bike route which starts at the new road bridge at Broughton Lane, via the Stadium and Arena. This will take you as far as Woodbourn Road, and you have to take to the road here along Cricket Inn Rd (another option is to park your bike at Nunnery park'n'ride secure parking, and take the tram) Once at City Centre cross Park Square by the pedestrian bridge (technically a dismount - improvements are planned to this route) If you're continuing south and don't want to visit the City Centre, take Bernard St >> Talbot St >> Shrewsbury Rd which will bring you out at Granville Square to the south of the station - beware tram tracks.

(D) If you wish to keep to the road, the A6109 to the North of Meadowhall is straight and fast (the traffic is fast too) , whilst the A6178 is slower and more congested.

For Sheffield University, from the Markets take Queen St, first left and then right onto Campo Lane - it's a marked cycle route. This will bring you up to Townhead St which you should cross and go up Trippet Lane which will bring you up to University precincts. If you are heading towards Hillsborough stay on Queen St and you can currently use the new West Bar Green Cycle Crossing to Scotland St, although this is soon to disappear under the Northern Inner Relief Route - improved facilities should emerge as the project progresses.

For the Moor take Pond St, Paternoster Row and follow the cycle route signs.

GPS (soon)

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