Five Weirs Walk facts for kids
The Five Weirs Walk is a cool path that stretches for about 5 miles (8 kilometers) along the River Don. You can find it in Sheffield, England. The walk starts at Lady's Bridge in Sheffield city centre. From there, it goes downstream, heading northeast. You'll pass over the Cobweb Bridge and through an area called Attercliffe. The walk ends near Meadowhall, a big shopping centre.
As its name suggests, the walk goes past five different weirs. A weir is like a small dam built across a river. It helps control the water flow. You can now even continue your journey along the Don all the way to Rotherham. This longer path goes under the huge Tinsley Viaduct. Since 2010, the part of the walk between Sheffield and Meadowhall has been connected to the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal towpath. This creates a big 8-mile (13-kilometer) circular route. It's known as the Blue Loop. The Five Weirs Walk also connects with the Upper Don Walk at Lady's Bridge.
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History of the Walk
The idea for the Five Weirs Walk came from a group called the Five Weirs Walk Trust. This small team of dedicated people worked hard to make the walk happen. They got help from many different groups. These included government bodies, private companies, local charities, and national funding organizations. Lots of people from the public also supported the project.
For over 20 years, the walk grew from just an idea into something important. It became a key part of making the urban river area better. You can find a detailed history of the walk in a document from the University of Sheffield.
The Five Weirs
The Five Weirs Walk gets its name from the five weirs it passes. Each weir has its own unique features.
Walk Mill Weir
This is the first weir you'll see. It has special bypass steps. These steps allow kayakers and canoeists to easily get around the weir. This means they don't have to carry their boats out of the water.
Burton Weir
Burton Weir is the second weir along the path.
Sanderson's Weir
This weir is special because it has a fishpass. A fishpass is like a set of steps for fish. It helps them swim upstream past the weir. This fishpass was also designed to be safe for canoes and kayaks to use.
Brightside Weir
Brightside Weir is the fourth weir you will encounter on your journey.
Hadfield's Weir
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Hadfield's Weir is the last of the five weirs. It marks the end of the main Five Weirs Walk section.
Salmon Pastures Nature Reserve
Salmon Pastures is a small nature reserve right next to the walk. It's managed by the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham. Even though it's small, it's a great place to see different animals and plants.
You might spot many kinds of birds here. These include mistle thrush, bullfinch, goldfinch, and long-tailed tit. On the banks of the River Don, you can see kingfishers, little grebes, moorhens, and mallards. The reserve is also home to many insects. Look out for colorful dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and hoverflies.
