The Dragon of Wantley

This is a great summer evening ride with plenty of climbing, some great roads to discover,  a chance to meet a Dragon and a mostly traffic-free route back to town  with the opportunity for food and drink at the end!

The tale of the Dragon of Wantley is an allegory about a greedy rapacious landlord who was bested by a valiant knight in a court of law – or is it? Do this ride and find out! Many thanks to Lenny Fairhall for bringing it to our attention.

Ride starts at Hillsborough Library, located in Hillsborough Park with a link from the University and Walkley and terminates at the Gardeners Rest or Cutlery Works for food.

From Hillsborough Park, cross Langsett Rd & head up Wadsley Lane. Veer right onto Worrall Rd and follow to Worraall where you take Kirk Edge Rd – a steady climb to r. Coal Pit Lane, then l. Burnt Hill Lame, immed. r. Onesmoor Bottom/Road, White Lees Lane, Rocher Lane, l. Fairhurst Lane, Jack Lane, New Mill Lane. Across the top of More Hall Reservoir – beware,  here be dragons! Take the privately owned (Water Company) road alongside the reservoir. This goes past More Hall where the dragon-slayer, Sir Thomas More lived. At the end take a sharp left onto Sunny Bank, a steep climb for about 200 yards ensues and there is a Bridleway to your left. You may wish to leave your bike locked up at the bottom. Follow this up and take the the first opportunity to turn left. A few metres up the path you will find your dragon! Let’s hope he’s asleep.

Re-trace your steps to where you maybe left your bike, down the hill and you will come out on the r. A6102 Manchester Rd. Sadly this is the best option we have for you at present but hopefully this will be improving soon. The footpath is just about rideable if you don’t want to mix with fast traffic. Past the former Oughtibridge paper mill site which is being re-developed – this is what will pay for cycling improvements in the area – and into Oughtibridge with its scary one-way system. Turn left onto Station Road, first right into Waterside Gaardens and follow Sustrans/NCN627 signs through Beeley Woods and into Sheffield. Hillsborough Park will be straight on and on your right.

For a food and drink stop take the left onto Hillfoot Rd into Neepsend and the Cutlery Works and Gardeners Rest will be on your right.