Limb Brook

The Limb Brook is a stream in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It rises at the village of Ringinglow, flowing east through Whirlow and Ecclesall Woods into Abbeydale in the Beauchief area, where it merges with the River Sheaf. Near this point part of the stream has been diverted to provide the goit for the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet millpond, and this channel flows through what is now Beauchief Gardens.

History

Limb Brook lies entirely within the city of Sheffield boundaries, but used to form (with the connecting River Sheaf and Meers Brook) part of the border between Yorkshire and Derbyshire. This boundary dates back to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.

The brook has long been used as a source of power for local industry; remains of water-powered mills used variously for smelting lead and grinding corn can be seen at Whirlow Wheelcite web | url=http://www.tilthammer.com/water/s10.html | title = Whirlow Wheel | date = 2003-04-20 | accessdate = 2006-08-15 | publisher = Tilt Hammer] and Ryecroft Millcite web | url=http://www.tilthammer.com/water/s9.html | title = Ryecroft Mill | date = 2003-04-20 | accessdate = 2006-08-15 | publisher = Tilt Hammer] in Ecclesall Woods.

Today, the brook no longer supports any industry, but with the woodlands of the Limb valley provides a valuable recreational resource for the inhabitants of Sheffield. It is owned and administered by the city council's recreation department, who maintain the area for the benefit of wildlife and the public. Sheffield Round Walk follows almost the entire route of the Limb brook, from Abbeydale Road South to Ringinglow.

Flora and fauna

The brook initially flows slowly through farmland, where it provides an environment for reeds and sedges. As it descends into the Limb valley and down through Ecclesall Woods, it is surrounded by steep hillsides which support mature woodland, including Beech, Sycamore, Alder, Ash and Hazel. This is a rich environment for invertebrates and many birds and mammals, including kingfishers and water voles. The rare white-clawed crayfish has also been seen.cite web | url=http://www.heritagewoodsonline.co.uk/3.%20Natural%20History%20and%20Management.pdf | title = Natural History of Ecclesall Woods | accessdate = 2006-08-15 | publisher = Heritage Woods Online]

External links

* [http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/index.asp?pgid=51061&mtype=print The Sheffield Round Walk] - Sheffield City Council
* [http://www.sorby.org.uk/limbdtls.shtml Limb Valley Nature Trail Introduction] 1995, A. H. V. Smith (ed), published by The Sorby Record

References