~A look at Calderdale~
1st May 2010
It was forecasted to be a day of heavy showers. I decided to get out early and see what the weather was like o'er th'ills and then decide what to do....
Calder & Hebble Navigation
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Sowerby Bridge Station
The train from Burnley leaves me behind at Sowerby Bridge railway station and I mull over two choices: walk up to Halifax for a look at the old mills and Shibden Vale; or get up on the hills and take the Calderdale Way to Greetland and beyond. Twas the latter.
River Calder in Sowerby Bridge
I walked into the town and then back out again heading for the hillside to the South and the route up to the Calderdale Way.
Sowerby Bridge Scene
The chimney with the scaffold is next to the multi-storey Corporation Mill. The tower blocks are completely out of place and will hopefully be removed in the course of time.
West End Mill
The tall mill, left of centre is the home of Fairbank Textiles Ltd. Fibre processors and underfelt manufacturers; friends, competitors and customers to our business in Burnley.
Sowerby Bridge
I'm on my way up the hillside and the bright sunshine contradicts the weather forecasters' predictions. Needless to say, I'm carrying a rucksac full of waterproofs.
Scary!
I gingerly proceeded across the course and followed the path alongside the clubhouse.
Ryburn Golf Course
Mark Twain said "Golf is a good walk spoiled". I say to him, what was wrong with "Samuel Clemens"?
Wainhouse Tower
Wainhouse Tower is a folly. Nearer to the screen is the HQ of the what was the Halifax Building Society. Maybe another folly, we all own a bit of that, don't we? The vantage point is within North Dean Wood.
Blue Tit
Copley
A Wider View of Calderdale
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The Calderdale Way |
The Calderdale Way |
The walk goes downhill into Lindwell, near Greetland and then there's a little road walking until I joined the towpath of the Calder & Hebble Navigation. This towpath leads all the way to my destination of Brighouse.
The Calder & Hebble Navigation
Railway Bridge
One of many fine railway bridges and viaducts in this area. The first two arches cross the River Calder and the third goes over the canal.
Bridgework
How did they do that? Built in Victorian times over the canal, how did they manage to arrange the stonework in that manner?
Without falling in?
Elland Bridge
The towpath walk crosses over at this bridge.
Canal Photos
It was a long and very enjoyable wander along the canal. Bright sunshine, warm, woody edges with lots of birds and unsurprisingly flat.
Grey Wagtail?
River Calder and the Calder & Hebble Navigation
Rastrick in the background. Nearly at the destination town of Brighouse.
Canalside Mill in Brighouse
Sugden's Mill, Brighouse
This structure dominates the skyline in Brighouse. I found the railway station and a train aiming for Hebden Bridge was sat by the platform, so I boarded and was soon in Hebden Bridge awaiting the connection for Burnley.
Hebden Bridge Railway Station
This walk offered something a little different. It was conceived from the assumption of poor weather, which did not materialise during the walk. The broad valley of Calderdale shows the lasting legacy of transport links from the growth of industry, particularly through the Victorian era. The walk above North Dean Wood is one I'd recommend to everyone.
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 4hrs 30 minutes over a distance of about 9 miles.
Route: Burnley to Sowerby Bridge railway station (by train), Ryburn Golf Course, Norland Moor, North Dean Wood, Lindwell, the Calder & Hebble Navigation, Brighouse. Rail journey back to Burnley.
Weather and conditions: Bright Sunshine, clouding over later. Heavy rain on my return to Burnley.
Richard's Refreshment Review: As I was walking past Ryburn Golf Club, I spotted golfers tucking into breakfast butties. I made polite enquiries as to the availabilty of such for non-golfers and soon enough I had a butty and a cup of tea. Very good it was too.
On December 13th 2014 I returned for another look along different paths.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©