Getting There
Leave the M18 at Junction 1 to take the A631 towards Maltby, following the brown signs to Roche Abbey.
Turn right, where signed, to drive down a steep cobbled private road with parking for Abbey visitors at the very bottom.
Return to M18 Junction 1
After ascending the cobbled track, turn left. At the T-junction turn left onto the A631 to return to the M18.
Roche Abbey
This is a circular walk around the perimeter of the abbey ruins.
Leave the car park and walk through the gate towards the entrance to the abbey. Pass the English Heritage office on the right and continue to the green footpath signs and turn right, following the direction of the ‘Doorstep’ walk. Keep the ruins to the right and climb over a stile to cross the fast-running stream. The path takes you past a little waterfall, and after this the circular route goes over the stepping stones above. Then walk with the lake on the left and follow the path as it winds back to the car park.
If your dog won’t go over the stepping stones, there is the option to continue on the left-bearing Doorstep path as far as you wish and then turning round to retrace the route back to the car park and avoiding the stones.
Wheelchair users: the information board states that there is an access path. As far as we could see, this runs from the entry gate, past the ruins, and a little way into the grassy land beyond. In wet weather this could be soft ground.
Facilities
Free car park, open 0600 to 1830 with the gates locked at 1830. When the Abbey (English Heritage) is open WCs, including disabled, are available.
This is MY favourite walk
Toby