Frickley Colliery Country Park
Location - Frickley Colliery Country Park, WF9 2EL
Distance (around) - various options
Terrain - mostly tarmac, where not tarmac it is solid
Points to note -
Parking is free for all, limited spaces
There is quite a lot of water and open space
No toilets or cafe
Information can be found here - https://thelandtrust.org.uk/space/frickley-country-park/
Very out in the open air
Living in and around old mining towns in Yorkshire, there is quite a lot of open space, one particularly well developed place we like to visit, is Frickley Colliery Country Park, which is a huge expanse of land near South Elmsall, it has over 7 miles of footpaths, of varying lengths, terrains and inclines, but you can easily find a relatively lengthy path which is level and has a good sturdy surface - we have been in all weathers, it can be bitter cold in the winter, but can also be blazing hot in the summer. Know your scooter and its abilities before taking steep hills, as the surface can be loose and the camber unsteady, but I have visited many times and come away relatively unscathed. In the winter in can get a little dirty, but it’s nothing that won’t wipe off, both the scooter and the dog!
It can be accessed from Doncaster Road (B6422), but if you know the area I would recommend taking a space in the small carpark from the South Elmsall area (it has a more stable surface), but both areas are near roads so watch dogs don’t run out. At each entrance there is a kissing gate, which can take some manoeuvring, but it is possible and once through there are several paths to take. There is lots of space, including grassland, for the dogs to run, and Betty enjoyed sniffing around from the comfort of her lead, some areas can be boggy off the paths, so keep a look out for those with dogs running free, there are also areas of deep with water, but again these are off the paths. The paths are frequented by both cyclists and joggers, but there is plenty enough space for all to be able to access without bothering each other too much, some are also bridleways, but these are signed so it is unlikely you will happen to find yourself on one of these without knowing. The area is a hive of activity for animals, insects, birds and flowers, there is plenty to see and explore, it has also been developed with monuments to indicated the seams of the coal mines which were once widely used in the area, they are very informative and definitely worth a read.
We have taken a picnic in the summer and sat on one of the many benches, and we have gone to the top of the hill in the winter to look over the town (wrap up warm!) all with no problem for the scooter and Betty alike.
Tip - a good place to visit to get a good walk, but also learn some local history.
