Ringinglow - Porter Brook - Forge Dam - Endcliffe Park - Botanical Gardens - Sheffield Station Circular

Ringinglow - Porter Brook - Forge Dam - Endcliffe Park - Botanical Gardens - General Cemetery - Sheffield Station

The Porter Brook derives its name from its brownish colour, similar to the colour of Porter beer, a discoloration obtained as it passes over iron ore deposits on its course from the source. The Porter Brook was ideally suited for providing water power, as the final section falls some 450 feet in a little over four miles.

In the Porter Valley alone, 21 mill dams served 19 water-wheels, mostly used for grinding corn, operating forge-hammers and rolling mills, grinding knives and the various types of blade that made Sheffield famous. Most were active during the 18th and 19th Centuries. You will find many remnants of this industrial past on your walk, including the Forge Dam and The Shepherd Wheel, which both merit a closer look.

As the walk reaches the built-up area of the city, you have the pleasure of a classic Victorian Park (Endcliffe), followed by the Botanical Gardens and General Cemetery, one of the first municipal cemeteries in the country, full of interesting old tombstones and sweeping vistas.

The last stretch of the route becomes more like detective work, hunting out the Porter Brook which is culverted for much of the remaining stretch; passing through derelict parts of the city, with a glorious finish providing the water for the 'Cutting Edge' fountain in front of Sheffield Station.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Town or city

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Walk id: 7451

Walk grade

Easy Walk

Length

6.2 Miles

Height gain

0 Metres

Duration

2 Hours 30 Mins

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