road. This joins another road (Park road another joins This road. ‘Mylnesbrigge’. became what at river the to township hillside the from down the canal bridge. Bear left, then right, over the river river the over right, then left, Bear bridge. canal the

and onto a track which becomes a a becomes which track a onto and (c.1840). Continue forward on the footpath and cross cross and footpath the on forward Continue (c.1840). stood close to the bridge over the river here. A narrow corridor of land stretched stretched land of corridor narrow A here. river the over bridge the to close stood

wooden gate. Go through the gate gate the through Go gate. wooden Mill Lane) , passing Bankfield Mill, a former loomshop loomshop former a Mill, Bankfield passing , Lane) Mill The name Milnsbridge is derived from the fact that the corn mill of Longwood Longwood of mill corn the that fact the from derived is Milnsbridge name The

The path eventually reaches a large large a reaches eventually path The the steeply descending lane on the right (Ramsden (Ramsden right the on lane descending steeply the workshops. It is now occupied by small commercial units. commercial small by occupied now is It workshops.

and has steep drops to the left. left. the to drops steep has and right and follow it to where it meets the road. Take Take road. the meets it where to it follow and right and the gardens had become streets of houses surrounded by mills, chimneys and and chimneys mills, by surrounded houses of streets become had gardens the and

TAKE CARE as this path is narrow narrow is path this as CARE TAKE

stile and gate hidden in the trees. At the track, go go track, the At trees. the in hidden gate and stile riots in 1812 (for which he was knighted). By 1911 the house had been sub-divided sub-divided been had house the 1911 By knighted). was he which (for 1812 in riots

and then starts to descend. PLEASE PLEASE descend. to starts then and

Cross the field, veering towards the viaduct, to the the to viaduct, the towards veering field, the Cross

magistrate most instrumental in restoring law and order at the time of the Luddite Luddite the of time the at order and law restoring in instrumental most magistrate

steps). The path is level to begin with with begin to level is path The steps). Notice the double viaduct. viaduct. double the Notice works. sewage former a of

It was the home of the Radcliffes and later the Armitages. Jospeh Radcliffe was the the was Radcliffe Jospeh Armitages. the later and Radcliffes the of home the was It

too far and need to re-trace your your re-trace to need and far too This is Appleyard, the site site the Appleyard, is This area. grassy landscaped a

beautiful lawn and lake, surrounded by trees and bushes and set in open countryside. open in set and bushes and trees by surrounded lake, and lawn beautiful

the top of the hill, you have gone gone have you hill, the of top the wall, go left into the trees, soon descending steps to to steps descending soon trees, the into left go wall,

It is hard to visualise this as a handsome Roman-style house, the front facing a a facing front the house, Roman-style handsome a as this visualise to hard is It

If you find you reach a wide track at at track wide a reach you find you If Turn right for a short distance, then, at a gap in the the in gap a at then, distance, short a for right Turn 2.

(Note: It is easy to miss this turning. turning. this miss to easy is It (Note:

path on the left and out to another path. another to out and left the on path

lying, flat-topped rock on your left. left. your on rock flat-topped lying,

Follow the path diagonally across, ignoring a narrow narrow a ignoring across, diagonally path the Follow

path, by a large, freestanding, low- freestanding, large, a by path,

way of a footbridge. Turn left into an area of trees. trees. of area an into left Turn footbridge. a of way

onto a narrower, more overgrown overgrown more narrower, a onto

left on a muddy footpath and crosses the railway by by railway the crosses and footpath muddy a on left

going off to the right uphill. Turn left left Turn uphill. right the to off going

Hope Terrace. After the bottom house, the way veers veers way the house, bottom the After Terrace. Hope

for some distance. Ignore branches branches Ignore distance. some for

below this, go left and then down to pass the end of of end the pass to down then and left go this, below

this path which goes gradually uphill uphill gradually goes which path this

on the gable end. Just Just end. gable the on 1880’ Schools ‘Wellhouse

stile at the gateway opposite. Follow Follow opposite. gateway the at stile

As you turn down the lane, notice the inscription inscription the notice lane, the down turn you As

Cross the road with care to the the to care with road the Cross 5.

continue as far as Low Westwood Lane by the school. the by Lane Westwood Low as far as continue

then up a short driveway to the road. Turn left and and left Turn road. the to driveway short a up then and out onto a narrow road (Deep Lane). (Deep road narrow a onto out and

the path. Bear left between holly hedge and fence, fence, and hedge holly between left Bear path. the follow it past a millpond, through the churchyard churchyard the through millpond, a past it follow

and go forward. Squeeze past the barrier and go up up go and barrier the past Squeeze forward. go and at the fence corner to join a path. Turn right and right Turn path. a join to corner fence the at

nearly opposite the bus stop. Cross the footbridge footbridge the Cross stop. bus the opposite nearly an area of woodland. Descend diagonally and emerge emerge and diagonally Descend woodland. of area an

Turn right, cross with care and go down the steps steps the down go and care with cross right, Turn right to pass between stone gateposts and then enter enter then and gateposts stone between pass to right

come out onto the road (Brook Lane). Lane). (Brook road the onto out come a path. Leave this after another few yards, by turning turning by yards, few another after this Leave path. a

slippery. Take care as there is no pavement when you you when pavement no is there as care Take slippery. yards after passing a terrace of houses, turn left down down left turn houses, of terrace a passing after yards

be overgrown and the steps at the bottom can be be can bottom the at steps the and overgrown be At the cross-paths, take the left hand one. A few few A one. hand left the take cross-paths, the At

small mill (Clay Well sign on the side). The path may may path The side). the on sign Well (Clay mill small was in its heyday. heyday. its in was left. left.

the path on the right down the side of a converted converted a of side the down right the on path the uncertain but c. 1750. The house is shown below as it it as below shown is house The 1750. c. but uncertain As you climb you can enjoy the extensive view on the the on view extensive the enjoy can you climb you As

into Small Lane. Just before a five road junction, take take junction, road five a before Just Lane. Small into Walk round the corner to see the front. Its date is is date Its front. the see to corner the round Walk 7. to the far end of Ayres Drive where a footpath starts. starts. footpath a where Drive Ayres of end far the to

opposite the church) turning sharp left at the bottom bottom the at left sharp turning church) the opposite

across the grass to a housing estate and go forward forward go and estate housing a to grass the across

formerly grand Milnsbridge House. Milnsbridge grand formerly

towards the church and go down Cliffe Ash (nearly (nearly Ash Cliffe down go and church the towards

it, but where it turns to the right, keep straight ahead ahead straight keep right, the to turns it where but it, Police Station, down Dowker Street, for a view of the the of view a for Street, Dowker down Station, Police

Start at Town End Golcar. Walk past the shops, shops, the past Walk Golcar. End Town at Start 1.

between a small supermarket and a bus stop. Follow Follow stop. bus a and supermarket small a between left on the road (Armitage Road) and left again at the the at again left and Road) (Armitage road the on left

up the side of the railings, then up some steps. Turn Turn steps. some up then railings, the of side the up Turn left and go down as far as a lane on the right, right, the on lane a as far as down go and left Turn Starting at Golcar at Starting

At the fourth lamppost on the right, take the path path the take right, the on lamppost fourth the At the right. the

the walk starting from Milnsbridge. from starting walk the small industrial estate and forward at the crossroads. the at forward and estate industrial small There, notice the old cottages on on cottages old the notice There, Lane. Cowlersley

starting from Golcar and the second part gives details of of details gives part second the and Golcar from starting Pass a scrap yard on your right and then go through a a through go then and right your on yard scrap a Pass to a road (Yew Tree Lane). Turn left and go up to to up go and left Turn Lane). Tree (Yew road a to

: The first part of the leaflet describes the walk walk the describes leaflet the of part first The : Note down some steps. Go forward ignoring any turnings. turnings. any ignoring forward Go steps. some down and go up the long flight of steps, by the bus stop, stop, bus the by steps, of flight long the up go and

mile. The footpath lies to the left of the gate and goes goes and gate the of left the to lies footpath The mile. walk as far as the Milnsbridge sign. Cross with care care with Cross sign. Milnsbridge the as far as walk

leaflet map. leaflet

the left hand track, which is signed Milnsbridge 2/3 2/3 Milnsbridge signed is which track, hand left the In either case, turn left on Manchester Road and and Road Manchester on left turn case, either In 4.

Calderdale) to add to the information shown on the the on shown information the to add to Calderdale)

continue to the left as far as the bend. Go forward on on forward Go bend. the as far as left the to continue

Use Explorer map 288 (Bradford, Huddersfield and East East and Huddersfield (Bradford, 288 map Explorer Use

(Upper Brow Road). Before long, join the road and and road the join long, Before Road). Brow (Upper Ramsden Mill Lane) up to Manchester Road. Manchester to up Lane) Mill Ramsden

up to the green area on the left alongside the road road the alongside left the on area green the to up the 303 or 304 bus from Huddersfield Bus Station. Bus Huddersfield from bus 304 or 303 the less challenging alternative uses the main track (still (still track main the uses alternative challenging less

that crosses the River Colne. Follow the stepped path path stepped the Follow Colne. River the crosses that

The start of the walk can be reached by catching either either catching by reached be can walk the of start The and nettles, before emerging on Manchester Road. A A Road. Manchester on emerging before nettles, and

the bridge and shortly afterwards over the footbridge footbridge the over afterwards shortly and bridge the

diagonally through a bramble and raspberry thicket thicket raspberry and bramble a through diagonally

: Allow 4 to 5 hours 5 to 4 Allow : Time Emerge by the new bridge over the canal. Go over over Go canal. the over bridge new the by Emerge 6.

right). This is level at first through trees, then rises rises then trees, through first at level is This right).

: 8 miles 8 : Distance

row of houses.) Descend with care. with Descend houses.) of row path, just past the railings, turn left (chimney on the the on (chimney left turn railings, the past just path,

the left. (This has a footpath sign and is opposite a a opposite is and sign footpath a has (This left. the Continue up the path and where it meets another another meets it where and path the up Continue 3. may be overgrown. Please take care. Boots are essential. are Boots care. take Please overgrown. be may

metal railings as far as the fourth gap in the wall on on wall the in gap fourth the as far as railings metal In some places it is rough or steep and at times, parts parts times, at and steep or rough is it places some In

to Milnsbridge, follow the canal towpath to the left.) the to towpath canal the follow Milnsbridge, to

Once safely across, turn right. Walk past buildings and and buildings past Walk right. turn across, safely Once

A surprisingly scenic route, using both sides of the valley. valley. the of sides both using route, scenic surprisingly A

a path bearing left up hill. (For a quick and easy way way easy and quick a (For hill. up left bearing path a flight of steps to Manchester Road. Manchester to steps of flight

Golcar Milnsbridge Circular Milnsbridge Golcar Road West). Cross, turn briefly left, then down a long long a down then left, briefly turn Cross, West). Road then straight ahead between the works premises to to premises works the between ahead straight then

Country code Acknowledgements When you are walking, please follow the country code and remember We would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for you are walking across other people’s land. their help in arranging for this leaflet to be updated and re-printed. Please keep to public paths, leave gates as you find them, keep dogs • The Jo Barnes Fund for generously funding the printing of the The Colne Valley under control, take your litter home and take care on roads. Enjoy the leaflet countryside and respect its life and work. • Margaret Hill for providing the text for the original Colne Valley Trail Public Transport Trust leaflet Please use public transport as often as you can. • Maureen Astley-Mullen for use of her original drawings The Colne Valley has a regular train service (Huddersfield to Manchester • Colne Valley Museum for their support A series of Countryside Victoria) with stations at Slaithwaite and Marsden. For details contact the Northern Trains: website at www.northernrail.org or phone Ticket Sales on and Village Walks 0844 241 3454, or Customer Relations on 0845 000 0125.. The Colne Valley has frequent bus services. For details contact the West Yorkshire Metro: website at www.wymetro.com or phone 0113 245 7676. (Metro also provide details of local train services) Most of the local buses are operated by First Bus. For details check the website at The Colne Valley www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/calderdale_huddersfield or phone 0845 ~ 604 5460. Local timetables are also available in the Public Library in Golcar. Food and Drink There are cafes and pubs available on or near the route of the walk. Golcar -Milnsbridge Accommodation Details of local accommodation are available from the Kirklees Council Circular website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/visitors/accommodation or by phone on 01484 221 000

Disclaimer Golcar and Slaithwaite Walkers are Welcome, together with the Original leaflet published by Colne Valley Trust in 2001. original leaflet author and leaflet artist, have attempted in all good Leaflet updated and republished by Golcar and Slaithwaite Walkers are faith to provide adequate safety warnings and they cannot in any way Welcome, October 2015. be held responsible for any claims arising from damage to person or property. It is in the best interest of walkers to observe these safety warnings. Please note that the walking route as described in this leaflet does not imply a right of way. In some cases this walk takes advantage of permissive paths. The definitive guide to local rights of way can be accessed by contacting Kirklees Council website at www.kirklees.gov. SLA uk or phone 01484 221 000. & I T R H A W C A L I T O E

G

G

E O T L I C A A A fairly strenuous scenic walk which links W R H T & S L A I many of the settlements of the www.golcarandslaithwaitewalkers.org.uk Lower Colne Valley

road. This joins another road (Park road another joins This road. ‘Mylnesbrigge’. became what at river the to township hillside the from down the canal bridge. Bear left, then right, over the river river the over right, then left, Bear bridge. canal the

and onto a track which becomes a a becomes which track a onto and (c.1840). Continue forward on the footpath and cross cross and footpath the on forward Continue (c.1840). stood close to the bridge over the river here. A narrow corridor of land stretched stretched land of corridor narrow A here. river the over bridge the to close stood

wooden gate. Go through the gate gate the through Go gate. wooden Mill Lane) , passing Bankfield Mill, a former loomshop loomshop former a Mill, Bankfield passing , Lane) Mill The name Milnsbridge is derived from the fact that the corn mill of Longwood Longwood of mill corn the that fact the from derived is Milnsbridge name The

The path eventually reaches a large large a reaches eventually path The the steeply descending lane on the right (Ramsden (Ramsden right the on lane descending steeply the workshops. It is now occupied by small commercial units. commercial small by occupied now is It workshops.

and has steep drops to the left. left. the to drops steep has and right and follow it to where it meets the road. Take Take road. the meets it where to it follow and right and the gardens had become streets of houses surrounded by mills, chimneys and and chimneys mills, by surrounded houses of streets become had gardens the and

TAKE CARE as this path is narrow narrow is path this as CARE TAKE

stile and gate hidden in the trees. At the track, go go track, the At trees. the in hidden gate and stile riots in 1812 (for which he was knighted). By 1911 the house had been sub-divided sub-divided been had house the 1911 By knighted). was he which (for 1812 in riots

and then starts to descend. PLEASE PLEASE descend. to starts then and

Cross the field, veering towards the viaduct, to the the to viaduct, the towards veering field, the Cross

magistrate most instrumental in restoring law and order at the time of the Luddite Luddite the of time the at order and law restoring in instrumental most magistrate

steps). The path is level to begin with with begin to level is path The steps). Notice the double viaduct. viaduct. double the Notice works. sewage former a of

It was the home of the Radcliffes and later the Armitages. Jospeh Radcliffe was the the was Radcliffe Jospeh Armitages. the later and Radcliffes the of home the was It

too far and need to re-trace your your re-trace to need and far too This is Appleyard, the site site the Appleyard, is This area. grassy landscaped a

beautiful lawn and lake, surrounded by trees and bushes and set in open countryside. open in set and bushes and trees by surrounded lake, and lawn beautiful

the top of the hill, you have gone gone have you hill, the of top the wall, go left into the trees, soon descending steps to to steps descending soon trees, the into left go wall,

It is hard to visualise this as a handsome Roman-style house, the front facing a a facing front the house, Roman-style handsome a as this visualise to hard is It

If you find you reach a wide track at at track wide a reach you find you If Turn right for a short distance, then, at a gap in the the in gap a at then, distance, short a for right Turn 2.

(Note: It is easy to miss this turning. turning. this miss to easy is It (Note:

path on the left and out to another path. another to out and left the on path

lying, flat-topped rock on your left. left. your on rock flat-topped lying,

Follow the path diagonally across, ignoring a narrow narrow a ignoring across, diagonally path the Follow

path, by a large, freestanding, low- freestanding, large, a by path,

way of a footbridge. Turn left into an area of trees. trees. of area an into left Turn footbridge. a of way

onto a narrower, more overgrown overgrown more narrower, a onto

left on a muddy footpath and crosses the railway by by railway the crosses and footpath muddy a on left

going off to the right uphill. Turn left left Turn uphill. right the to off going

Hope Terrace. After the bottom house, the way veers veers way the house, bottom the After Terrace. Hope

for some distance. Ignore branches branches Ignore distance. some for

below this, go left and then down to pass the end of of end the pass to down then and left go this, below

this path which goes gradually uphill uphill gradually goes which path this

on the gable end. Just Just end. gable the on 1880’ Schools ‘Wellhouse

stile at the gateway opposite. Follow Follow opposite. gateway the at stile

As you turn down the lane, notice the inscription inscription the notice lane, the down turn you As

Cross the road with care to the the to care with road the Cross 5.

continue as far as Low Westwood Lane by the school. the by Lane Westwood Low as far as continue

then up a short driveway to the road. Turn left and and left Turn road. the to driveway short a up then and out onto a narrow road (Deep Lane). (Deep road narrow a onto out and

the path. Bear left between holly hedge and fence, fence, and hedge holly between left Bear path. the follow it past a millpond, through the churchyard churchyard the through millpond, a past it follow

and go forward. Squeeze past the barrier and go up up go and barrier the past Squeeze forward. go and at the fence corner to join a path. Turn right and right Turn path. a join to corner fence the at

nearly opposite the bus stop. Cross the footbridge footbridge the Cross stop. bus the opposite nearly an area of woodland. Descend diagonally and emerge emerge and diagonally Descend woodland. of area an

Turn right, cross with care and go down the steps steps the down go and care with cross right, Turn right to pass between stone gateposts and then enter enter then and gateposts stone between pass to right

come out onto the road (Brook Lane). Lane). (Brook road the onto out come a path. Leave this after another few yards, by turning turning by yards, few another after this Leave path. a

slippery. Take care as there is no pavement when you you when pavement no is there as care Take slippery. yards after passing a terrace of houses, turn left down down left turn houses, of terrace a passing after yards

be overgrown and the steps at the bottom can be be can bottom the at steps the and overgrown be At the cross-paths, take the left hand one. A few few A one. hand left the take cross-paths, the At

small mill (Clay Well sign on the side). The path may may path The side). the on sign Well (Clay mill small was in its heyday. heyday. its in was left. left.

the path on the right down the side of a converted converted a of side the down right the on path the uncertain but c. 1750. The house is shown below as it it as below shown is house The 1750. c. but uncertain As you climb you can enjoy the extensive view on the the on view extensive the enjoy can you climb you As

into Small Lane. Just before a five road junction, take take junction, road five a before Just Lane. Small into Walk round the corner to see the front. Its date is is date Its front. the see to corner the round Walk 7. to the far end of Ayres Drive where a footpath starts. starts. footpath a where Drive Ayres of end far the to

opposite the church) turning sharp left at the bottom bottom the at left sharp turning church) the opposite

across the grass to a housing estate and go forward forward go and estate housing a to grass the across

formerly grand Milnsbridge House. Milnsbridge grand formerly

towards the church and go down Cliffe Ash (nearly (nearly Ash Cliffe down go and church the towards

it, but where it turns to the right, keep straight ahead ahead straight keep right, the to turns it where but it, Police Station, down Dowker Street, for a view of the the of view a for Street, Dowker down Station, Police

Start at Town End Golcar. Walk past the shops, shops, the past Walk Golcar. End Town at Start 1.

between a small supermarket and a bus stop. Follow Follow stop. bus a and supermarket small a between left on the road (Armitage Road) and left again at the the at again left and Road) (Armitage road the on left

up the side of the railings, then up some steps. Turn Turn steps. some up then railings, the of side the up Turn left and go down as far as a lane on the right, right, the on lane a as far as down go and left Turn Starting at Golcar at Starting

At the fourth lamppost on the right, take the path path the take right, the on lamppost fourth the At the right. the

the walk starting from Milnsbridge. from starting walk the small industrial estate and forward at the crossroads. the at forward and estate industrial small There, notice the old cottages on on cottages old the notice There, Lane. Cowlersley

starting from Golcar and the second part gives details of of details gives part second the and Golcar from starting Pass a scrap yard on your right and then go through a a through go then and right your on yard scrap a Pass to a road (Yew Tree Lane). Turn left and go up to to up go and left Turn Lane). Tree (Yew road a to

: The first part of the leaflet describes the walk walk the describes leaflet the of part first The : Note down some steps. Go forward ignoring any turnings. turnings. any ignoring forward Go steps. some down and go up the long flight of steps, by the bus stop, stop, bus the by steps, of flight long the up go and

mile. The footpath lies to the left of the gate and goes goes and gate the of left the to lies footpath The mile. walk as far as the Milnsbridge sign. Cross with care care with Cross sign. Milnsbridge the as far as walk

leaflet map. leaflet

the left hand track, which is signed Milnsbridge 2/3 2/3 Milnsbridge signed is which track, hand left the In either case, turn left on Manchester Road and and Road Manchester on left turn case, either In 4.

Calderdale) to add to the information shown on the the on shown information the to add to Calderdale)

continue to the left as far as the bend. Go forward on on forward Go bend. the as far as left the to continue

Use Explorer map 288 (Bradford, Huddersfield and East East and Huddersfield (Bradford, 288 map Explorer Use

(Upper Brow Road). Before long, join the road and and road the join long, Before Road). Brow (Upper Ramsden Mill Lane) up to Manchester Road. Manchester to up Lane) Mill Ramsden

up to the green area on the left alongside the road road the alongside left the on area green the to up the 303 or 304 bus from Huddersfield Bus Station. Bus Huddersfield from bus 304 or 303 the less challenging alternative uses the main track (still (still track main the uses alternative challenging less

that crosses the River Colne. Follow the stepped path path stepped the Follow Colne. River the crosses that

The start of the walk can be reached by catching either either catching by reached be can walk the of start The and nettles, before emerging on Manchester Road. A A Road. Manchester on emerging before nettles, and

the bridge and shortly afterwards over the footbridge footbridge the over afterwards shortly and bridge the

diagonally through a bramble and raspberry thicket thicket raspberry and bramble a through diagonally

: Allow 4 to 5 hours 5 to 4 Allow : Time Emerge by the new bridge over the canal. Go over over Go canal. the over bridge new the by Emerge 6.

right). This is level at first through trees, then rises rises then trees, through first at level is This right).

: 8 miles 8 : Distance

row of houses.) Descend with care. with Descend houses.) of row path, just past the railings, turn left (chimney on the the on (chimney left turn railings, the past just path,

the left. (This has a footpath sign and is opposite a a opposite is and sign footpath a has (This left. the Continue up the path and where it meets another another meets it where and path the up Continue 3. may be overgrown. Please take care. Boots are essential. are Boots care. take Please overgrown. be may

metal railings as far as the fourth gap in the wall on on wall the in gap fourth the as far as railings metal In some places it is rough or steep and at times, parts parts times, at and steep or rough is it places some In

to Milnsbridge, follow the canal towpath to the left.) the to towpath canal the follow Milnsbridge, to

Once safely across, turn right. Walk past buildings and and buildings past Walk right. turn across, safely Once

A surprisingly scenic route, using both sides of the valley. valley. the of sides both using route, scenic surprisingly A

a path bearing left up hill. (For a quick and easy way way easy and quick a (For hill. up left bearing path a flight of steps to Manchester Road. Manchester to steps of flight

Golcar Milnsbridge Circular Milnsbridge Golcar Road West). Cross, turn briefly left, then down a long long a down then left, briefly turn Cross, West). Road then straight ahead between the works premises to to premises works the between ahead straight then

Country code Acknowledgements When you are walking, please follow the country code and remember We would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for you are walking across other people’s land. their help in arranging for this leaflet to be updated and re-printed. Please keep to public paths, leave gates as you find them, keep dogs • The Jo Barnes Fund for generously funding the printing of the The Colne Valley under control, take your litter home and take care on roads. Enjoy the leaflet countryside and respect its life and work. • Margaret Hill for providing the text for the original Colne Valley Trail Public Transport Trust leaflet Please use public transport as often as you can. • Maureen Astley-Mullen for use of her original drawings The Colne Valley has a regular train service (Huddersfield to Manchester • Colne Valley Museum for their support A series of Countryside Victoria) with stations at Slaithwaite and Marsden. For details contact the Northern Trains: website at www.northernrail.org or phone Ticket Sales on and Village Walks 0844 241 3454, or Customer Relations on 0845 000 0125.. The Colne Valley has frequent bus services. For details contact the West Yorkshire Metro: website at www.wymetro.com or phone 0113 245 7676. (Metro also provide details of local train services) Most of the local buses are operated by First Bus. For details check the website at The Colne Valley www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/calderdale_huddersfield or phone 0845 ~ 604 5460. Local timetables are also available in the Public Library in Golcar. Food and Drink There are cafes and pubs available on or near the route of the walk. Golcar -Milnsbridge Accommodation Details of local accommodation are available from the Kirklees Council Circular website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/visitors/accommodation or by phone on 01484 221 000

Disclaimer Golcar and Slaithwaite Walkers are Welcome, together with the Original leaflet published by Colne Valley Trust in 2001. original leaflet author and leaflet artist, have attempted in all good Leaflet updated and republished by Golcar and Slaithwaite Walkers are faith to provide adequate safety warnings and they cannot in any way Welcome, October 2015. be held responsible for any claims arising from damage to person or property. It is in the best interest of walkers to observe these safety warnings. Please note that the walking route as described in this leaflet does not imply a right of way. In some cases this walk takes advantage of permissive paths. The definitive guide to local rights of way can be accessed by contacting Kirklees Council website at www.kirklees.gov. SLA uk or phone 01484 221 000. & I T R H A W C A L I T O E

G

G

E O T L I C A A A fairly strenuous scenic walk which links W R H T & S L A I many of the settlements of the www.golcarandslaithwaitewalkers.org.uk Lower Colne Valley Turn back and proceed along George Street towards the supermarket. Notice the 1879 decorative pediments on the houses on the left and on the diametrically opposite corner, Savile Place 1879. Turn right at the crossroads and go up the road (Market Street).

Starting at Milnsbridge (Market Street)

8. Just before the viaduct, (notice the double nature of its construction) take the tarmac path on the right (just above Private Road). At the top, where the path meets a road, go left under the railway and cross the road with great care to the track opposite. Go left along it and then just after a high retaining wall, go up the steps on the right. If you encounter problems here, return to the road and use the alternative route (see the sketch map). Path: Follow the footpath over the projected building site, climbing almost to the road, then turn left and an unmade road. (Alternatively you can continue on On reaching the level track, turn to the right to Nab descend down concrete steps alongside the wall on the main road and go up the shorter set of steps at End Tower. The amphitheatre where the open-air your right, until, not far above a stream the wall turns the side of the Rose and Crown). Turn left, then just ‘sing’ is held is on the right as you approach the tower. sharp right uphill. before an electricity substation, go sharp right up a The ‘sing’ was first held in 1873 on Thump Sunday Road: Follow the route indicated on the sketch map (now the first Sunday in September.) There is a walled path, which then bends left. The next turn to by the stars then join the path again at one of the gathering of the vocalists and instrumentalists whose gaps in the wall at A or B. the right would take you to the site of the ‘Longwood musical performances raise money for local charities. Note Nab End Tower on the hill in front. Sing, a short but steep diversion. (An easier approach Continue forward, towards the stream now with a low can be made later.) field wall on your left. Cross the stream and follow Our route goes forward into a wooded area with a the wall up to a stone stile. Go along the concrete graveyard on the left. It rises to an open area by a pole, path on the right of the new houses, which soon turns where you can pause to look at the view. Longwood right and up a few steps to join the estate road. Turn church is in the foreground, West Nab and Deerhill lie right to reach the main road (Thornhill Road). in the distance and Scapegoat Hill is on the right. The 9. Cross the busy road carefully and turn left. After spires of Linthwaite and Golcar churches face each a few yards go up the steep flight of stone steps to other across the Colne Valley.

The Tower was constructed in 1860-1 by a group of 11. Walk along Prospect Road passing the houses as 13. Round its upper side is a stile of sorts which you unemployed men, a blind mason helping to direct far as the brick electricity sub-station on the left and squeeze through. Go forward through the next stile. their labours. Preachers and other speakers would use turn down the tarmac path beside it. Cross the road to Golcar soon appears below you. Cross the next stile it to address the crowds gathered around. In 1895, the driveway between two mills then go up the steps and go very sharp right, uphill to the wall which you this natural recreation ground was presented to the ahead. The footpath comes out by the Percy Vears Old follow along the hillside. people of Longwood. Cask Inn. Turn right and walk up the road (Leymoor Squeeze between the bars of a gate and as you go The view is spectacular even if you do not climb the Road). Walk past the supermarket on the corner of along the narrow path beware the barbed wire on tower. Sycamore Avenue and go left round the back of it. the left. A short driveway leads to a very narrow lane Take the flagged path along the side of the grassed (a quick way down to Golcar).Go left for a few yards area and then continue in the same direction up the then right up steps by a lamp post. The wall is on your road over the waste ground and forward across a left in the first field and on your right in the second minor road and along the footpath opposite. one. Go down steps to the road, cross it and turn Cross the next small road and almost at once jink downhill. right and left through the wall to the footpath by Moorcroft Cottage. After a few yards, branch to the 14. At the junction turn right on Slades Road. Cross right opposite the cottage. Cross the estate road to to the signed concrete pathway on the left before a continuation of the path which leads to Leymoor the bus stop on the left. Go through the gates by the Road where you turn left. Cross and proceed as far as stables and forward down the field keeping parallel a bus stop at a bend. to the wall on the left. Go through the barrier and For a quick way to Golcar continue up the road. soon reach a road end. A short way down, turn right and follow this to the 10. When you have explored the area, facing the 12. Turn right along the branch road. Not long after next junction. Here note the weavers windows in the date on the tower, turn very sharp left and follow the it has bent to the left, take the bridleway on the right, houses on the left. narrow rising path which soon runs along the edge. Hollin Hall Lane. Where it divides, take the left hand Fork left, go up the steps ahead and then right uphill Make for a wall-end, pass between gateposts and fork and climb steeply up. (The upper part is difficult to return to Townhead, Golcar. keep to the left of the wall. Where there are steps if icy.) in the wall on your right, bear left down a path. The On a clear day a splendid view unfolds behind you. Here the walk ends. path becomes a rough track dropping down to a Longwood reservoirs, Longwood Edge, Huddersfield minor road. Cross this road and go down Cow Gate and the Colne Valley and much of your route can be opposite. picked out, as can many more distant features. At the road (Longwood Gate) go left and take the Continue your climb in the general direction of next right (Prospect Road). This whole area was Scapegoat Hill. At the top of the setted track, go until fairly recently the site of great mills. The green up the steps and on up the road as far as the first expanse of Nettleton Hill and the nearby woods are building on the left. visible ahead. Turn back and proceed along George Street towards the supermarket. Notice the 1879 decorative pediments on the houses on the left and on the diametrically opposite corner, Savile Place 1879. Turn right at the crossroads and go up the road (Market Street).

Starting at Milnsbridge (Market Street)

8. Just before the viaduct, (notice the double nature of its construction) take the tarmac path on the right (just above Private Road). At the top, where the path meets a road, go left under the railway and cross the road with great care to the track opposite. Go left along it and then just after a high retaining wall, go up the steps on the right. If you encounter problems here, return to the road and use the alternative route (see the sketch map). Path: Follow the footpath over the projected building site, climbing almost to the road, then turn left and an unmade road. (Alternatively you can continue on On reaching the level track, turn to the right to Nab descend down concrete steps alongside the wall on the main road and go up the shorter set of steps at End Tower. The amphitheatre where the open-air your right, until, not far above a stream the wall turns the side of the Rose and Crown). Turn left, then just ‘sing’ is held is on the right as you approach the tower. sharp right uphill. before an electricity substation, go sharp right up a The ‘sing’ was first held in 1873 on Thump Sunday Road: Follow the route indicated on the sketch map (now the first Sunday in September.) There is a walled path, which then bends left. The next turn to by the stars then join the path again at one of the gathering of the vocalists and instrumentalists whose gaps in the wall at A or B. the right would take you to the site of the ‘Longwood musical performances raise money for local charities. Note Nab End Tower on the hill in front. Sing, a short but steep diversion. (An easier approach Continue forward, towards the stream now with a low can be made later.) field wall on your left. Cross the stream and follow Our route goes forward into a wooded area with a the wall up to a stone stile. Go along the concrete graveyard on the left. It rises to an open area by a pole, path on the right of the new houses, which soon turns where you can pause to look at the view. Longwood right and up a few steps to join the estate road. Turn church is in the foreground, West Nab and Deerhill lie right to reach the main road (Thornhill Road). in the distance and Scapegoat Hill is on the right. The 9. Cross the busy road carefully and turn left. After spires of Linthwaite and Golcar churches face each a few yards go up the steep flight of stone steps to other across the Colne Valley.

The Tower was constructed in 1860-1 by a group of 11. Walk along Prospect Road passing the houses as 13. Round its upper side is a stile of sorts which you unemployed men, a blind mason helping to direct far as the brick electricity sub-station on the left and squeeze through. Go forward through the next stile. their labours. Preachers and other speakers would use turn down the tarmac path beside it. Cross the road to Golcar soon appears below you. Cross the next stile it to address the crowds gathered around. In 1895, the driveway between two mills then go up the steps and go very sharp right, uphill to the wall which you this natural recreation ground was presented to the ahead. The footpath comes out by the Percy Vears Old follow along the hillside. people of Longwood. Cask Inn. Turn right and walk up the road (Leymoor Squeeze between the bars of a gate and as you go The view is spectacular even if you do not climb the Road). Walk past the supermarket on the corner of along the narrow path beware the barbed wire on tower. Sycamore Avenue and go left round the back of it. the left. A short driveway leads to a very narrow lane Take the flagged path along the side of the grassed (a quick way down to Golcar).Go left for a few yards area and then continue in the same direction up the then right up steps by a lamp post. The wall is on your road over the waste ground and forward across a left in the first field and on your right in the second minor road and along the footpath opposite. one. Go down steps to the road, cross it and turn Cross the next small road and almost at once jink downhill. right and left through the wall to the footpath by Moorcroft Cottage. After a few yards, branch to the 14. At the junction turn right on Slades Road. Cross right opposite the cottage. Cross the estate road to to the signed concrete pathway on the left before a continuation of the path which leads to Leymoor the bus stop on the left. Go through the gates by the Road where you turn left. Cross and proceed as far as stables and forward down the field keeping parallel a bus stop at a bend. to the wall on the left. Go through the barrier and For a quick way to Golcar continue up the road. soon reach a road end. A short way down, turn right and follow this to the 10. When you have explored the area, facing the 12. Turn right along the branch road. Not long after next junction. Here note the weavers windows in the date on the tower, turn very sharp left and follow the it has bent to the left, take the bridleway on the right, houses on the left. narrow rising path which soon runs along the edge. Hollin Hall Lane. Where it divides, take the left hand Fork left, go up the steps ahead and then right uphill Make for a wall-end, pass between gateposts and fork and climb steeply up. (The upper part is difficult to return to Townhead, Golcar. keep to the left of the wall. Where there are steps if icy.) in the wall on your right, bear left down a path. The On a clear day a splendid view unfolds behind you. Here the walk ends. path becomes a rough track dropping down to a Longwood reservoirs, Longwood Edge, Huddersfield minor road. Cross this road and go down Cow Gate and the Colne Valley and much of your route can be opposite. picked out, as can many more distant features. At the road (Longwood Gate) go left and take the Continue your climb in the general direction of next right (Prospect Road). This whole area was Scapegoat Hill. At the top of the setted track, go until fairly recently the site of great mills. The green up the steps and on up the road as far as the first expanse of Nettleton Hill and the nearby woods are building on the left. visible ahead.