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~The Holme Valley~

22nd October 2011

I needed to go to Sheffield to collect our van which had been repaired after a breakdown. So, left with a wealth of opportunities for some fresh air on the way home, I chose to walk some new routes in The Holme Valley, south of Huddersfield.

Mill

Bottoms Mill

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Digley Reservoir

Fieldhead Lane

Driving up from Sheffield I took a right turn off the Woodhead Pass and followed Woodhead Road down to the little village of Holme which is in the southern reaches of West Yorkshire and also in the Peak District National Park. Van parking would have been untidy and inconsiderate to residents, so I drove down to Digley Reservoir where United Utilities offer a large car park.

Digley Reservoir

Digley Reservoir

Digley Reservoir was constructed c.1940. The flooding of the valley took care of the sites of Digley Mill and Bilberry Mill. Bilberry Reservoir, dam just visible at the far end, pre-dates Digley Reservoir. After a walk across the dam, it's down into the woods heading for Holmbridge.

Holmbridge

To Holmbridge

Holmbridge

Holmbridge

The walk down the Holme Valley is sometimes on the roadside and sometimes by the river.

Hinchliffe Mill

Hinchliffe Mill

Clearly out of use; the vogue is for properties of this nature in these locations to be converted for residential use. Let's see what happens.

Bottoms Mill

Bottoms Mill

Holmfirth

Holmfirth

I'm now heading into the old textile town which doubles as a shrine to fans of "Last of The Summer Wine".

Holmfirth

Holy Trinity Church

The little bus does "Summer Wine" tours for anyone interested.

Holmfirth

Back Lane, Holmfirth

I decided to take a walk up the hill, away from the "summer winers". It is almost impossible to take a photo of "old" houses without there being a car, wheelie bins or satellite dishes in view. Sometimes all three.

Holmfirth Cafe

Cafe in Holmfirth

There are more than enough cafes in Holmfirth and more than enough folk to fill them. I think I've done quite well to keep the people shots to a minimum. I walked out of Holmfirth on the A635, always looking for railway history - there used to be a branch line to Holmfirth.

Holmfirth Railway Bridge

Railway Bridge

I'm afraid that this little bit of railway architecture was all I could find, or get access to. Many years ago, others had more joy, try this link for a little more information on railway matters in the area. Lost Railways of West Yorkshire

Mill

Mill Conversion

In the vicinity of Mytholmbridge, the walk route now crosses the River Holme and heads into Hagg Wood.

Mytholm Bridge Washpit
Mytholm Bridge
Washpit ~ River Holme

Honley

To Honley

Out of the woods and heading towards Honley.

Honley

Honley

Honley

Honley ~ Southgate

I wandered down to the main road for details of the bus service back to Holme. I had 40 minutes to spare, so chose to walk up the other side of the valley, over the railway and along to the bus stop.

Railway Walk

Railway Walking

Castle Hill

Castle Hill

A glance across the fields and Castle Hill comes into view. The tower is on the hill of an ancient fort location.

Brockholes Station

Brockholes Railway Station

The Honley line runs to Brockholes and then away into South Yorkshire; Penistone, Barnsley, Sheffield. I caught the bus back to Holme and then walked across fields back to Digley Reservoir.

Holme Valley

Holme Valley

Can you see the chimney of Bottoms Mill?

Digley Reservoir

Digley Reservoir

Very soon back to the van, I was considering a circuit of the reservoir, but thought enough was enough, I left home at 0700hrs and it's getting a little late in the afternoon.

The Fleece Inn, Holme

The Fleece Inn, Holme

That was a pleasant alternative to the usual stuff. There are moorland alternatives to the walk I chose, with parking at Digley Reservoir being a good start point.

Walkers: Just me.

Time taken: 4hrs 30mins over a distance of about 8.5 miles, doesn't include the last bit after the bus back to Holme.

Route: Digley Reservoir, Holmebridge, Hinchliffe Mill, Holmfirth, Thongsbridge, Mytholm Bridge, Honley, over the railway and back down to Brockholes. 314 bus directly back to Holme.

Weather and conditions: Sunny throughout.

Greetings Count: I think I only saw one other "walker" on my route, all the rest were daytrippers and tourists.

Richard's Refreshment Review: Before the walk I got a butty from the pantry at Fleece Inn at Holme and afterwards I got a drink in the pub. I reckon it's a good place to stop at - the pantry is the closest thing to a village shop and the pub sells good meals.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....