Droshe two

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this route from Dronfield. There are several variations which can be applied, as other reviewers have noted. The route starts by following Sheffield Road, (B6057) northwards. It is a busy road, but there is an adequate pavement. About 200m before the A61 bypass roundabout I varied the route by taking the signposted bridleway westwards towards Bowshaw farm and the foot path northwards to enter Greenhill Park. (This avoids having to cross the A61 and half a mile of residential estate in Lowedges.) From where the footpath enters the park I turned left for a short distance before cutting diagonally across the grass to the main gate. A footpath opposite climbs to a crossing point on Lowedges Road. Ahead up Gervase Road brings us to Greenhill Parkway. I avoided the stretch of Droshe2 along the residential Reney Avenue by following the paved path south of and parallel with the Parkway. After a third of a mile, a surfaced cross path allowed me to cross the Parkway to re-join the route on Fox Lane. From here is is a pleasant walk through the golf course and surrounding fields to reach Beauchief Abbey and Abbey Lane. I followed the good cycle path (entered just before crossing the railway) through Hutcliffe Wood alongside the railway to reach Archer Road, rather than use the official route through Millhouses Park. After Archer Road the route is well signposted 'to Granville Square' and obvious on the ground, although it is far from obvious on the OS 1:25,000 map. Patiently following the signs brings us to the Granville Square and soon after to the station. I enjoyed this route. I liked the 'green section' of fields, woodland, parks and public open spaces' between Dronfield and Archer Road, and I enjoyed the challenge of threading the paths together along the Sheaf Valley with frequent interpretation features to tell about the history.

I walked from Dronfield to Sheffield in early August. The weather had been mostly dry. The journey took 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The route travels mostly along good paths or pavement, with only Beauchief Drive being an unmetalled road through woodland. You could do this route by bicycle if you divert through Hutcliffe Wood instead of through Millhouses Park, which would be a nice diversion for anyone.

As noted by a previous reviewer, there are some steps that can be detoured around. The steps at Archer Road are steel and a little slippery in the rain so watch your step. As also mentioned by that review, there is no path as marked after leaving Tesco carpark. Instead, keep going up the road from the Tesco and rejoin the route at the top of Troutback Road about 150m further on.

Navigation was easy. Once at Millhouses Park, there are occasionally black signs to Granville Square that you can follow. I preferred to walk through Greenhill park (Lowedges park) instead of going through the streets near the transport ground.

Dronfield station is on the main street that has a supermarket and some take-aways. There is a shop at the end of Lowedges Road. Millhouses park has a kiosk but it was closed as I passed at 1735 however, beyond the park, you'll pass a massive Tesco with a café or if you turn right over the bridge after leaving the park, there's also a Sainsbury with a café. Both cafés have toilets too. The only other stop-off without leaving the route is the Hardy Pick pub where Little London Road meets Broadfield Way. Millhouses park has places to sit down, or you could hire a swan or dragon boat on the pond there and sit in that. On the way, you can have a walk around the outside of Beauchief Abbey which dates back to around 1100.

Dronfield is a short train ride from Sheffield or you can use the 44 bus. The 43 also stops not too far from there. Within Sheffield, the route is similar to the 86 bus route and many other routes go down Abbeydale.

Overall a good route connecting Sheffield and Dronfield. Follows well established paths that take in a variety of city walking, countryside and parks. Avoids the dangerous road crossings encountered in the other DroShe routes. Some segments have steps, but alternatives exist and are marked by signposts, I will detail further on.

Notes:

1. At the Prospect Rd/Gleadless Rd junction (///degree.angle.thin), rather than going down Gleadless Rd to London Rd cut through the park to Well Rd (///cheese.milky.names) and then head down to London Rd. Turn left on London Rd and cross at the crossing near ///frames.pushy.will follow Saxon Rd and then turn left on to the path at ///fats.clots.lived at the end of this path you will rejoin the original route at ///jams.jokes.skill. This is more direct and pleasant than the original route and is equally accessible.

2. There are steps coming onto Archer Rd at ///drama.friend.older. These can be avoided by detouring onto Abbeydale Rd at Woodseats Rd. (///class.ahead.cloud -> ///winks.erase.flying -> ///ages.hype.bottom).

3. There is no path along the right bank of the Sheaf between ///wants.pounds.drama and ///water.drum.valid. Rather than turning down Troutbeck Rd at ///chairs.third.fried, continue along Abbeydale Rd to ///tags.change.bared and then turn left down to the Tesco car park, where you will meet the original route.

4. There are steps going into Millhouses park at ///myself.best.income. These can be circumnavigated by following the signposted alternative route.

5. There is a narrowish stile on Beauchief Dr (Approx: ///advice.shave.dust). It might be possible to open the adjoining gate.

6. There does not appear to be a path on the eastern side of the A61. In my opinion it is better to follow the path on the western side and cross at ///help.exam.begun, there is an island crossing here and the traffic is slow due to the adjacent roundabout, the crossing felt very safe.

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