31) Centenary Riverside Park, Nature Reserve, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1DS.
Distance:
1 mile. If you want a longer outing you can find various cycleways and other paths alongside the River Don.
Terrain:
Wide path - then wide dirt path. some parts on grass. Small section on wooden boardwalk.
A couple of small slopes, the first down to the riverside path, a little and at times small sections of undulating path- then a short climb back up the path you came down to the river level on.
Obstacles - the ground is a little uneven and as mentioned earlier a few little inclines to tackle.
To get into the reserve you have to get through a large black A frame- the distance is approx 56cm at the most narrow point.
Also do not go if there has been a lot of rain prior to you visit - the reserve is on a floodplain, therefore if the reserve has been flooded then the riverside section will be extremely dirty with lots of silt on the paths.
I also noted evidence that the river level can be far higher then the reserves lower level so large branches may be deposited once the flood waters subside. I have provided a tel number below - you can ring the local wildlife trust to ask their advice prior to your visit.
Facilities on site:
None.
Parking - either on street on in the unmade car parking area. No disabled bays, it is free parking for all.
Dogs are allowed on the rerserve.
Nearby there is a pub called the Riverside, they have a disabled toilet and outside seating area. Due to covid you place your order using the "Hungry Horse" app.
The reserve:
Centenary Riverside is a 4.5 hectare wetland reserve nestled alongside the River Don. The site consists of a beautiful wildflower meadow bank brimming with butterflies and insects, and a series of ponds and wetlands that attract a huge variety of birds, mammals and insects.
https://www.wildsheffield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Centenary-Riverside-leaflet.pdf
This site is excellent for butterflies with 23 different species having been recorded, and is also home to a variety of damsel and dragonflies. Sand martins can be seen darting around in the summer and moorhens and reed warblers nest amongst the reeds.
The site was developed on one of the largest steel foundries in the area. Known as the Seven Sisters, it produced 550,000 tons of steel a year. But when the foundry closed in 1993, the site became overgrown. In 2006, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust took over the wasteland and transformed it into a wildlife haven.
The site’s industrial heritage has not been forgotten and glimpses of the past can be seen around site; from ‘Steel Henge’, to the concrete building foundations, now key island habitats for many important species such as kingfisher.
Centenary Riverside also plays a key role in Rotherham’s future; designed as a floodplain, it forms part of Rotherham’s flood alleviation scheme which holds back potential flood water and protects industrial and residential areas nearby.
If you need to get in touch with us about Centenary Riverside, please email us or call us on 0114 263 4335.
https://www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/centenary-riverside/
Route:
from the carpark head into the obvious corner where there Black locked gate and A frame are. The narrowest part of the A frame is ,,,,
Once through the gate go across the very wide bridge over the River ~Don. Head straight and follow the obvious dirt path. You pass a few nice sculptures and sand made lake. Keep to the well drained path and head towards the large bakery. Follow the path around to the left. The track has a few little up and downs. Ignore the wooden stairs to the lower level that you will see on your right. Once you pass the large metal structures circle you rejoin the path you came in on. Turn right and then take the next right path, down a little sloped path, turn right at the bottom and follow the path as it meanders through the floodplain. Bear left at the huge wooden deckchairs - go through the large wooded arch and follow the path onto the wooden boardwalk. This path brings you back to the bottom of the sloped path that you came down on. Up this path and turn right - then soon you arrive back to the car parking area.
