Rabbit Ings Country Park — Attraction in Barnsley

The views are great across Gods own county. If you're fit & a dog walker you've hit gold. If not, don't bother. I'm disabled & even my beast of a mobility scooter had a few problems. Like getting out of the carpark (think there are two carparks). There are two metal posts to go through next to the big farmers metal gate which is locked. These posts are roughly people shaped & are easy to get through even on my crutches. They are there to stop bikers running roughshot through the park. And rightly so. But because of this very reason, it was very very tight getting my mobility scooter through. The mirrors had to be turned in & in the end after four attempts, my partner eventually drove it through for me. Every one of at least four routes around the park you wish to take, from 'easy' to 'olympic fitness' of which i am so jealous, gives you a different experience & vista. The routes can be a little confusing but there is usually a local there to ask for help & maps of the park are posted every so often. If like us you take your dog, be warned. We found only ONE dog poop bin..for some reason! The paths are mostly large chippings of gravel & flat for the most part & nicely wide enough to pass other walkers. There is a good chance you may go over on your ankles though if they are weak as in some places, these chippings are quit big & loose. Also wear comfortable footwear. The history of the place is quit common knowledge if you're yorkshire. Monkton colliery. At the top of one route there is a big round monument to this & it also points out other interesting places. There are a few benches scattered around the park for you to take a load off & just enjoy the nature of the place. It's hard to imagine that back in the day, where you are is where our brothers, husbands, sons, fathers & their fathers, toiled for a living 'darn t pit'. So please. If you do go. Spare a thought for those who were there before you. Oh, & watch out for the...

Dad and I had a fabulous late December day here. He had no problem in negotiating the lower, wide stone path circuit on his car boot scooter. There are some steeper parts on the walkway we chose (by the football pitches) but we were reliably told by dog walkers on the route that doing the outer circuit by the lake in an anti-clockwise direction offered less steep parts to cover. The views were extensive (especially as many trees were clear of leaves and the sense of space and fresh air was uplifting but we were well wrapped up with padded coats hats, gloves and scarves. We made a promise to return to seethe site in each season and information boards gave details of the route and wildlife on site. The cafe was closed, picnic tables were available for us to sit drinking from our flask whilst watching the orange and red shades emerge as the sun began to set. The car Park was free but signs warned that (the entry barrier was locked?) and the facility closed at 5pm. Highly recommend if you need the sanctuary of nature to help you feel the...

A very good laid out car park in excellent condition , there is some prefabricated buildings here ,thought they were toilets but they weren't open ( Visit in November) However this area was once a old colliery site and they have done a great job landscaping what was once the colliery spoil heap , footpaths run off in all directions , you can wonder up to the top of the hill to take in great views of this wonderful area , or take in a circular walk around the outside of this area , paths lead off through woods and other council footpaths and bridleways which lead you to more footpaths along the disused Barnsley/Wakefield Canal and disused rail lines which are great for exploring this once proud mining area, nature quickly takes back that was once taken from nature when industries decline . If you love walking and seeing industrial history along with nature then this is the...