Our drawing of the route — the shape of the walk, not a navigation aid. Carry OS Explorer on the hill.
A Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve on the north bank of the River Don where the river cuts a limestone gorge between Sprotbrough and Conisbrough, the only real valley scenery in an otherwise flat part of Doncaster. The walk leaves Nursery Lane, drops to the towpath and runs south-west beside the water past a viewing screen and two bird hides, with the flash itself lying between the path and the wooded slope. The Trans Pennine Trail shares the towpath here so the surface is firm and level the whole way, which suits older dogs, but the Trust requires dogs on a lead at all times because sheep graze the reserve. There is no shade on the towpath stretch and no drinking water on site; the Boat Inn at Sprotbrough Lock is a short walk back east.
A mixed wood on the ridge between Sprotbrough and High Melton, bought freehold by the council in 1992 to keep it open to the public after a Forestry Commission lease. It is broadleaf and conifer planted over the 1950s and 1960s on the site of a much older oak and ash wood, and the tracks through it are wide forestry rides rather than narrow paths, which makes it good ground for a dog that runs. There is no lake and no livestock, so under Doncaster's PSPO there is no lead requirement inside the wood itself, only the standard duty to pick up and to be able to produce a bag. The car park off Sheep Lane is small and unsurfaced and there are no toilets, no water and no cafe anywhere on site.
A stone pub of 1652 on the grassy bank of the River Don beside Sprotbrough Lock, now run by Vintage Inns and rebuilt inside after flood damage with the original layout kept. It is the obvious stop at the end of the Don Gorge towpath and the Trans Pennine Trail passes the door, so muddy dogs coming off the river path are routine. The pub's own dog-friendly page says fresh water bowls are always available, there is a canine menu to ask about and treats are usually on hand, and it points walkers at the gardens. It does not publish which rooms dogs may use, so ask at the bar which side they want you on before you settle by a fire.
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