On the Rivelin Trail, after crossing at the S bend and about half way to the Post Office There are two Huge Old Oaks.

These two are all that remain of what was once a grove circled by other oaks. So far as I am aware the circle was almost a solid ring of oak trees, Yet it was so long ago that no trace of the circle remains bar these Two Oaks.

I believe they are now protected, and so not even the area around them is touched by a lawn mower, leaving them in a patch of over grown nettles in summer. Harming them would not only be illegal, you would also have every witch within and no doubt beyond sheffield on your back. These trees are very precious to us.

You may have seen them if you walk this way often. If you notice them in the future please spare a moment to consider how incredible a full circle of them would have been, given that these two alone command the entire clearing. Feel free to stand beneath them and enjoy the pleasure of their shade, their protecting nettles and the feel of their rough bark.

D.A.

On a training run on my bike i sheltered underneath those oaks and never had a drop of rain touch my head in a summer thunderstorm throwing down terential rain.

They are beautiful, my kids love playing tag round them!

To be honest I don't see much point to Dante's post other than to draw attention to them.

If anyone has any information about them please let us know. The conservation group seem more interested in the industrial heritage of the area.

Moon

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
They are beautiful, my kids love playing tag round them!

To be honest I don't see much point to Dante's post other than to draw attention to them.

If anyone has any information about them please let us know. The conservation group seem more interested in the industrial heritage of the area.

Moon

Not surprised really. The industrial heritage is to my mind unique. Where else could you go to see something similar? Though to be fair I think they are equally concerned about the wildleife of the area.

Whereabouts are these oaks on this map (http://www.rivelinvalley.org.uk/valley.htm) ?

Nomme

They are somewhere after the upper cut wheel. I haven't taken notice of the wheel names for some time now, so couldn't 100% be sure.

The trail after the 's' bend has two parts to it where the path opens up onto an open space of grass - as opposed to being penned in by river/path and woodland.

These oaks are slap bang in the middle of the paddock on your right and you cannot miss them.
picture from last summer (http://www.beneaththeshades.com/oaks.jpg)

I was amazed when the hubby took me up there, that they could go from being major parts of industrial Sheffield to what they are now!

Moon

when you say further on than the upper cut bend is that further towards the peaks or towards hillsborough.

I run down there a lot and shall look out for them next weekend (or even in the evening now it's nice and light, hurrah)

Towards the peaks!

Moon

Looking at Nomme's map and listening to the descriptions given, i think they are up near the coppice wheel bit. The path splits and one bit stays witht the river and goes over stepping stones at the bottom, and there is a grassy area paddock bit at the top near the road. Hope this is right. :confused:

HI

it is just before that bit.

Moon Maiden

I agree they are superb, and when you think huge quantities of oak trees were decimated in the wooden sailing ship days, any remaining are to be treasured. The entire run out of Sheffield along Rivelin Valley is beautiful, an old guy from Walkley who bought a bungalow near me in Scarborough has called it "Rivelin" what more can you say.

Rivelin is one of Sheffield's hidden wonders and most beautiful locations. I grew up there and still live around the area of the valley. The walks before the S bend are pleasant enough, but I always feel that the deterioration of the many allotments detracts from that part of the valley.

On past the S bend the true beauty of the valley instantly apparent, the remains of the mills and the rugged landscape of the sides of the valley make for quietly sublime sights and sounds. The waterfalls and narrow paths are still perhaps the most peaceful and magical place in the whole of the city.

I think one of the problems with the allotments too is the vandalism the holders suffer.

I love the place.

Moon

The allotments (on Hagg Hill side) were left to be derilict as from what i was told the council wanted to turn them into a golf course, this is now not going to happen and they are up for let again. Unfortunatley many have gone a bit beyond the derilict stage and have fairly big trees growing on them. It would be nice if they helped people start them up again and put them back into use. Marking them out properly would be useful start as there is no idea as to which is which anymore. The vandalism is still a problem though, and if you did anything about it you would be the one done for harming the vandals, as that is how it goes.

I think allotments are a lot better compliment to Rivelin than a golf course. Hopefully they will go back into use and not used for anything else.

About 4 years ago Me and a workmate decided to park up in the van at the bottom of Hagg Lane directly above the S bend to have our sandwiches and enjoy the view.

Sadly the only view we saw was the coming and going of men from the woodlands at either side of the road.

We were told later that we had parked in one of the most popular places for men to indulge in sexual activities in the woods and allotments.

What a sad carry on amidst all this natural beauty of this area.