[1] Come out of the Diabetes Centre and turn right along Hathersage Road taking care not to be pushed into the road.
On your right is the Elizabeth Gaskell College, named after the Victorian writer of “Cranford”.
At the junction with Anson Road turn right. Cross Oxford Place, taking care at this busy, uncontrolled crossing, and then turn right to pass in front of the church and then left into Conyngham Road. Follow this road all the way to the t-junction with Dickenson Road.
To make the walk shorter you can turn right at the junction with Kent Road West and when meeting the gated pathway turn left and then right to Park Range. Rejoin the walk at point 5.
[2] Bear left to cross Dickenson Road at the pedestrian crossing point and then continue left along the road. At the junction with the main road turn sharp right into Birchfields Park.
(A) The land to make Birchfields Park was purchased by the city for just under £10,000 in 1887. The park opened a year later. It is best to avoid falling into Gore Brook that runs through it. It is home to a stone garden, Bowling Green and skateboard park and forest garden.
[3] Go straight ahead along the wide tarmac path before taking the second path on the right. Keep ahead along the path, with the brook on your left, and on the right you will see some colourful benches. A bit further along in the trees, on the right are several large chunks of stone building – these make an interesting place for a stop and a rest, but the area can be muddy. Follow the path bearing left and then right along the avenue of trees with a football field to the right. This brings you to a park exit onto Birch Grove.
[4] Turn right along Birch Grove and walk back to Dickenson Road. Head left here to cross using the pedestrian refuge and then shortly afterwards turn right into Aylesford Road.
(5) Keep ahead into Park Range, bearing left then turning left along Kent Road West. Turn right into Lower Park Road and walk the full length of the road back to Oxford Place, crossing Denison Road and then bearing right, passing several buildings belonging to Xaverian College.
(B) Xaverian College is said to have hidden Eamon de Valera, the first Irish Prime Minister when he was avoiding the British authorities.
Turn left here to the busy Oxford Road. Turn right, and then right along Hathersage Road to return to the Diabetes Centre.