Author: christhomson (ID: 6800) Posted: 2009-09-01 10:38 GMT+00:00 Mileage: 2.98 km
Tags: Landscape, Sheffield, Shire Brook Valley, Nature, Industrial Heritage
Views: 3461
This was my first attempt at making and @trip. The Shire Brook Valley is a local nature reserve, a great rural feeling oasis on the outskirts of Sheffield, UK.
Google Translation This was my first attempt at making and @trip. The Shire Brook Valley is a local nature reserve, a great rural feeling oasis on the outskirts of Sheffield, UK.
Map of the Shire Brook Valley
On the south wall of the visitor centre. The Valley is quite extensive, stretching from Beighton to Gleadless. This walk only covered a few km of that.
The Valley used to be heavily industrialised and polluted but has greened up nicely over the last 20 years.
Google Translation On the south wall of the visitor centre. The Valley is quite extensive, stretching from Beighton to Gleadless. This walk only covered a few km of that.
The Valley used to be heavily industrialised and polluted but has greened up nicely over the last 20 years.
The Visitor Centre
The outside of the visitor centre - no one home! It's a bit Fort Knox-y which indicates that the site is quite remote and suffers from a bit of vandalism.
Check out the murals round the outside of the centre if you go.
Google Translation The outside of the visitor centre - no one home! It's a bit Fort Knox-y which indicates that the site is quite remote and suffers from a bit of vandalism.
Check out the murals round the outside of the centre if you go.
Looming storm clouds
A pretty wet day but not enough to get in the way of a good walk. This was a nice break in the clouds.
It lasted 10 minutes.
Google Translation A pretty wet day but not enough to get in the way of a good walk. This was a nice break in the clouds.
It lasted 10 minutes.
Ponds
The ponds are the remains of old sewage tanks, a reminder of the former use of the valley.
No frogs in August, lots of invertebrates though.
Google Translation The ponds are the remains of old sewage tanks, a reminder of the former use of the valley.
No frogs in August, lots of invertebrates though.
Look at the pretty!
I wanted to get a balance of flora and fauna on this walk but thinigs with legs and wings move faster than I can change lenses.
Google Translation I wanted to get a balance of flora and fauna on this walk but thinigs with legs and wings move faster than I can change lenses.
Paths
The reserve is highly accessible and the council do a good job of keeping the paths in good condition.
Google Translation The reserve is highly accessible and the council do a good job of keeping the paths in good condition.
More pretty!
Wish I was a botanist. Can't name this. Can you? My wife suggested ragwort.
Google Translation Wish I was a botanist. Can't name this. Can you? My wife suggested ragwort.
Boundary
This bridge marks the old boundary between Derbyshire and Yorkshire (hence Shire Brook Valley). The current boundary is a few miles further south now.
Google Translation This bridge marks the old boundary between Derbyshire and Yorkshire (hence Shire Brook Valley). The current boundary is a few miles further south now.
Iron in the water?
Legacy of the mining heritage of the area...
Google Translation Legacy of the mining heritage of the area...
Easy Going Trail
You could go this way if you want. Like, whatever...
Google Translation You could go this way if you want. Like, whatever...
Tunnel under the A57
For most of the way round the valley youo can forget that you're next to a major arterial road into Sheffield. Not here, though.
Google Translation For most of the way round the valley youo can forget that you're next to a major arterial road into Sheffield. Not here, though.
Unknown flower #3
Hawthorn
Hawthron berries overhanging the path.
Google Translation Hawthron berries overhanging the path.
Carr Forge Dam #1
Just as the rain started...
Google Translation Just as the rain started...
Carr Forge Dam #2
Usually there's quite a lot of bird life here. Not today, though.
Google Translation Usually there's quite a lot of bird life here. Not today, though.
Litter
[insert moral outrage here]
Google Translation [insert moral outrage here]
Path
Unkown flower #4
Any guesses?
Google Translation Any guesses?
Bracken
Always thought there should have been an Gladiator called "Bracken".
Google Translation Always thought there should have been an Gladiator called "Bracken".
Convolvulus
...or bindweed. Evil invasive plant when it gets in your garden.
Google Translation ...or bindweed. Evil invasive plant when it gets in your garden.
Path
Going towards Rainbow Dam
Google Translation Going towards Rainbow Dam
Path
The vegetation has been cleared here to allow for the electricity pylons.
Google Translation The vegetation has been cleared here to allow for the electricity pylons.
Trees
A stand of elder and birch.
Google Translation A stand of elder and birch.
Unknown flower #4
Again.
Path
Rainbow Dam
Souonds like it must have been a pretty place but suspect it was pretty grotty and industralised when it was active.
Google Translation Souonds like it must have been a pretty place but suspect it was pretty grotty and industralised when it was active.
Steps
Heading northish back up a steep incline.
Google Translation Heading northish back up a steep incline.
Pollination
Couldn't identify these insects properly, bees or wasps. They were covered with white pollen from the flowers making them look ghostly.
Google Translation Couldn't identify these insects properly, bees or wasps. They were covered with white pollen from the flowers making them look ghostly.
More steps
Even more pretty!
Oak
Quite a diverse range of trees in the valley, Elder, Beach, Oak, Prunus etc. These leaves still covered int eh rain that has just cleared.
Google Translation Quite a diverse range of trees in the valley, Elder, Beach, Oak, Prunus etc. These leaves still covered int eh rain that has just cleared.
Thistle-like flower
Beech tree
The vegetation has thinned out up here, feels like the edge of moorland.
Google Translation The vegetation has thinned out up here, feels like the edge of moorland.
Stand of beech trees
Heather
Nicely in flower, adds to the moorland feel.
Google Translation Nicely in flower, adds to the moorland feel.
Birley East Colliery
The site of the old Birley East Colliery. With recent additions from the local artistic community ;)
Google Translation The site of the old Birley East Colliery. With recent additions from the local artistic community ;)
Horse and Bike gate
The Shire Brook Valley is used for different types of recreation. Saw some bikers round here but they were camera shy and didn't want to show a pic of lycra-clad backsides in the distance.
Google Translation The Shire Brook Valley is used for different types of recreation. Saw some bikers round here but they were camera shy and didn't want to show a pic of lycra-clad backsides in the distance.
Climbing again
Locals call this "Coronary Hill". Pretty steep.
Google Translation Locals call this "Coronary Hill". Pretty steep.
Shady woods
Housing
Housing backs onto the tops of Sally Clark's Meadow but it's discretely shielded by trees and shrubs.
Google Translation Housing backs onto the tops of Sally Clark's Meadow but it's discretely shielded by trees and shrubs.
View over to Birley
Highest point on the trip. Panoramic views of the surrounding suburbs and townships.
Google Translation Highest point on the trip. Panoramic views of the surrounding suburbs and townships.
Path
The path along the tops of Sally Clark's Meadow
Google Translation The path along the tops of Sally Clark's Meadow
Cherry Trees
There's a stand of cherry and oak here. The cherry (prunus) leaves are just starting to turn (it's the end of August).
Google Translation There's a stand of cherry and oak here. The cherry (prunus) leaves are just starting to turn (it's the end of August).
Sloe Berries?
Unkown Tree
Thought it was a beech but these don't look beechy. Have spent too much time on computers and not enough outdoors [sigh].
Google Translation Thought it was a beech but these don't look beechy. Have spent too much time on computers and not enough outdoors [sigh].
Path
Heading southwards down the hill now.
Google Translation Heading southwards down the hill now.
Old apple trees.
Windswept trees that still bear quite a lot of fruit. There's occassionally highland cattle on the meadow but my timing was off.
Google Translation Windswept trees that still bear quite a lot of fruit. There's occassionally highland cattle on the meadow but my timing was off.
Sally Clark's Meadow
Sally Clark was, according to local rumour, a witch who lived in a cottage on the meadow. There's little left of the cottage now.
Google Translation Sally Clark was, according to local rumour, a witch who lived in a cottage on the meadow. There's little left of the cottage now.
Sally Clark's Meadow
The main points of interest round the valley have these nice stone markers.
Google Translation The main points of interest round the valley have these nice stone markers.
The Meadow
Looking north back up the hill.
Google Translation Looking north back up the hill.
The Old Railway
This is all that remains of the route of the line to Birley Colliery.
Google Translation This is all that remains of the route of the line to Birley Colliery.
Berries
Again, no idea. Not rowan. Autumn is just around the corner
Google Translation Again, no idea. Not rowan. Autumn is just around the corner
Teasle
I love the patterns you get looking at plants like this close up.
Google Translation I love the patterns you get looking at plants like this close up.
Coppiced Oak
These distinctive trees have been cut back numerous times to create new growth possibly for charcoal burning.
Google Translation These distinctive trees have been cut back numerous times to create new growth possibly for charcoal burning.
Footpath
Good dog walking country. It's a maze of paths here so there's plenty to explore. Different every time.
Google Translation Good dog walking country. It's a maze of paths here so there's plenty to explore. Different every time.
Stone Lane
The main access road to the valley. Newly surfaced so access is good.
Google Translation The main access road to the valley. Newly surfaced so access is good.
Heading back
Again the vegetation thins leaving you with some nice views round here. Nice meadow with wildflowers and associated wildlife.
Google Translation Again the vegetation thins leaving you with some nice views round here. Nice meadow with wildflowers and associated wildlife.
Path
Seed heads
Just missed a pair of goldfinches. They were too quick and I was too clumpy!
Google Translation Just missed a pair of goldfinches. They were too quick and I was too clumpy!
Visitor Centre
Back to start.
Google Translation Back to start.