3 Mile Circular Walk - Ogden Water | Ovenden Moor

Distance: 3.3 miles

Ascent: 400 ft

Walking: Andrew & Gaynor

Weather: Cloudy, cool

OS Map: OL21 - South Pennines

Parking: Ogden Water Country Park, Ogden Lane, Halifax HX2 8XZ

Photography: Andrew using Nikon D610 / Sigma 10-20 mm f4-5.6

A very popular walk, well known locally, starting in the woods next to Ogden Water then out onto Ovenden Moor, passing close to a large wind farm. 

There are loads of different walks starting from Ogden Water, from an easily accessible short circuit of the reservoir to full day explorations of the surrounding countryside. We arrived early to make sure we got a parking space because it is always busy, even in winter.

Leaving the car park, we walked down into the wood as far as the bridge at the bottom end of the reservoir, then followed the stream up Great Scar, past some old quarry workings and a couple of small waterfalls. 

Emerging from the wood, the narrow path up onto the moors was very muddy and slippery and, in places, had fallen away to the stream below, making it quite difficult to negotiate. We decided to cross over one of the small wooden bridges and take the lower path at the other side. This led to a point where we had to cross back over the stream via some very slippery stones but, thankfully, we managed to stay on our feet.

We eventually reached a set of weirs, where we took the lefthand path up a flight of rough steps onto Ovenden Moor. This is where the mud really started. At the top of the steps, the stile was area of mud and we decided to take the easier route and step over the low fence.

It wasn't until we reached the very top of the hill, close to one of the huge wind turbines, that it became more stable underfoot. By this time we were both beginning to feel like we'd done a walk, even though we'd only gone a mile and a half. The turbines were turning very slowly in the gentle breeze as we passed and making a constant low humming noise. They are quite a landmark locally and can be seen from miles away (including from our bedroom window).

After crossing the bridge (or is it a dam?) over Skirden Beck, the path joins a more substantial track which heads back down the hill to the dam on Ogden Water. This appears to have been constructed to transport stone from the quarries on the moor down to build the dam. Despite its appearance, it's actually quite rough and tricky underfoot and over the years a path has been worn at the side of it by people who found it hard on their feet and ankles. It's quite a long drag down the hill and we were glad we hadn't done the walk in the opposite direction. The views over Halifax Golf Club towards the town are worth the effort though and it's great to see the thousands of trees that have been planted on the hillsides.

Back at the reservoir, there was plenty of birdlife to see, mainly seagulls, admittedly, so watch your chips!

Overall, an enjoyable walk with a variety of landscapes and some great views. The path is a bit tricky in places at this time of year but well worth persevering.

CLICK HERE to see a 9.5 mile walk I did from Ogden with Tim & Mark in August.

Exploring Oakworth - Part 3 - Oakworth | Mill Hey | Oxenhope | Haworth | Mytholmes

 

Distance: 5.5 miles

Ascent: 588 ft

Walking: Andrew & Gaynor

Weather: Sunny, cool

OS Map: OL21 - South Pennines

Parking: Station Road, Oakworth

Photography: Andrew using Nikon D610 / Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8

Based loosely on The Railway Children Walk taking in many of the locations used in the film (the best time to do that is in late May so I'll be doing it again then), this is a good way to explore the villages to the south of Oakworth. 

Setting off down Station Road, it was surprising how far autumn had progressed since last week. Most of the trees had gone from a bright golden glow to completely bare in the space of a few days. Friday is not the best day to take scenic photos in Oakworth - It's bin day.

First stop on the Railway Children trail was Oakworth Station, which featured extensively in the film (and many others since), along with the nearby level crossing and 'Mr Perks' cottage. The building is beautifully preserved as an Edwardian branch line station and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Continuing on past the imposing, if somewhat run-down Georgian Vale Mill and around Hoot Corner and we came to Vale Fold Cottages, easily recognised from the paper chase in the film. Beyond the row of cottages, the path enters Murgatroyd Wood and follows Bridgehouse Beck for a short distance before the railway line appears on the other side. This is the southern end of Mytholmes Tunnel. The fence where the children sat to wave at the passengers on the trains was on the embankment opposite but it's quite difficult to see now the trees have grown up (the fence is long gone).

The path emerges onto Ebor Lane at the back of Ebor Mill, at the side of the bridge where the end title sequence of the film was made. The route then follows Ebor Lane past the derelict mill, now being converted into luxury flats, then down Mill Hey to the picturesque Haworth Station, with its red telephone box (not such a common sight these days) and Victorian post box.

Passing the engine sheds, it was sad to see the lack of activity as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions. Hopefully it won't be too long before we can experience the sights, sounds and smells of steam here again.

It's important not to miss the turning into the footpath off Brow Road. It's not the kind of hill you'd want to climb unnecessarily. From here, it got muddy - very muddy. Across the field at the back of the new housing development was an absolute quagmire and it took some negotiating and it was a relief when we finally made to the old wrought iron footbridge and firm ground. This wooded section alongside the beck and the railway line is beautiful at any time of the year, although some parts were a bit tricky if there has been some rain. We were heading directly into the sun at this point so that didn't help either and the slight uphill section near an old derelict farmhouse was particularly slippery but we managed to stay on our feet.

The path then passed through someone's back garden, which always feels bit awkward although it's a popular route so I suppose they are used to walkers. Another fairly muddy backside stretch brought us out at an old farmhouse with some very pampered chickens. They have a swing and a sandpit to play in - I bet they lay amazing eggs.

Just past the sewage works, which I won't mention, the path crosses the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on a pedestrian level crossing, near Oxenhope Station. The newly refurbished signs look great but it is important to remember why they are there, even when the railway is closed to the public. 

After a short rest on the nearby bench, we set off up the steep hill towards Bents Farm, the home of the Railway Children, known as Three Chimneys in the film. The house is privately owned and only visible over a fairly high wall so it's best not to try to get the perfect photo. Just behind the farm is what is known as Mr Perks' Stile - if you've seen the film, you'll remember the scene where Bernard Cribbins struggles to negotiate it. 

The route continues gently uphill along Bents Lane to meet Marsh Lane, then on up Old Oxenhope Lane with views over the nearby moorland, past Old Oxenhope Hall before turning into a farmyard and then out into open fields high up above the valley. The views from here are great down the valley to Cross Roads and Keighley.

We continued on above a small collection of farms and houses known as Hole - I'm sure there's a story there - round Sowden's Farm and on to Haworth Church. The churchyard is pretty unkempt and full of huge trees with rooks nesting in them. The sound of them cawing really adds to the atmosphere. You get a real sense of how tough life must have been here 150 years ago from the huge number of imposing Victorian gravestones. The Bronte Parsonage Museum, which can be seen across the graveyard, is famous throughout the world as the home of the Bronte sisters and it also featured in The Railway Children as the doctor's house.

Wandering past the church to the top of Main Street, there are other familiar buildings from the film, such as the post office and the cobblers. Rather than walk down the steep cobbles, we decided to take a more direct route along Changegate, then down North Street onto Mytholmes Lane, past the old toll house at Mytholmes and onto Providence Lane. Climbing the Alphabet Steps (there are only 24 of them so I presume the pavement level at the bottom has been raised since they were built), we followed the narrow walled path high above the River Worth, Hoot Corner and Vale Mill, then turned up towards Dockroyd, stopping to admire the stunning view back to Haworth and Penistone Hill.