January 1st dawned dry and clear and whilst the majority of people were sleeping of the excesses of New Years Eve 17 hardy souls set of from Cote Green Farm car park near Wortley. The 6 mile walk was planned to take in some of little known but historically interesting parts of South Yorkshire.
On leaving the car park we walked up through the fields to the charming village of Wortley . The nearby Wortley Hall was the home of Lady Mary Wortley Montague (1689 1762) who brought the idea of smallpox inoculation to Britain from the east.
Following footpaths and bridleways we popped up in Thurgoland. From hear we headed down following the Upper Don Valley eventually arriving at the mill ponds for Wortley Top Forge which was an 18th century forge, and now a museum. A forerunner of the steel works that were to dominate the River Don further down stream.
A short walk along a lane got us back to the car park, a pleasant start to the New Year.
Happy New Year
Hugh
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