Route Developer: DA
[1] From the entrance to the Cemetery turn right until you reach Concord Park Leisure Centre. Keeping the centre building on your right walk through the car park. Soon you will come to a narrow access point leading into Concord Park.
(A) Concord Park is a large park between Shiregreen and Wincobank. The park consists of Concord Park Golf Course, a country park and Woolley Woods, bordered by Ecclesfield Road. A historic cruck barn lies at the entrance to the park.
[2] Walk along the path until you come to a crossroads in front of the children’s playground. To the left the path leads to the main park gates but turn right, away from the gates. Two further paths join this one from the left but carry on along this one.
[3] Soon the path merges with another from the left. Keep along and when the path splits take the right path down the hill towards a white building.
Keppel’s Column can be seen ahead on the horizon. The column was built in the 18th century to commemorate the acquittal of Admiral Keppel in 1779. The tower was originally intended to be taller, but had to be reduced due to lack of funds. It is closed to the public and is in danger of falling into disrepair.
[4] Go through the narrow access point and bear left and go through another narrowed access point with signposts for the Trans Pennine Trail.
The Trans Pennine Trail was completed in 2004 at a cost of nearly £60 million pounds. It runs from Southport to Hull, with various off-shoots including a loop to Rotherham.
[5] Walk along the path around the edge of the park, with the mini-golf course on your right. There are benches by the side of the path if you need a rest. Follow the path round the edge of the park going uphill. At the top the path bear left.
[6] Go past a green hut on your right and some more benches and soon you will reach a path junction. At the junction turn right up the path (you came down it earlier). Where the paths merge take the right fork. You are walking towards a large old barn on the edge of the park.
[7] Turn left in front of the barn and walk past it on your right. Pass a tennis and basketball court to your left, and then turn right at the end of the tennis court. The path curves back around to the main park gates, past the children’s playground.
[8] Exit the park and turn left down Shiregreen Lane to return to the Cemetery.