Silkstone

Starting from the railway station car park we go downhill in a north-westerly direction through fields and woodland towards Blacker Dam, before gently ascending over fields and through High Field Plantation to join a section of the Penistone Boundary Walk.

We pass the ornamental gates of Pye Flatts meadow, the name derived from an old word for magpie. This is one of the last remaining hay meadow grassland sites in the UK, as much productive land became used for growing crops to curb food shortages after the Second World War. Pye Flatts meadow was spared as it was very uneven as a result of digging for coal and clay and unsuitable for the use of modern agricultural machinery.

We continue through Whin Moor Plantation, crossing Ellhirst Beck and rise to Haddon Farmhouse. We pass Banks Hall, descend to Banks Wood and Banks Bottom Dike, which we follow to Norcroft Bridge near the boundary between the parishes of Silkstone and Cawthorne.

We cross the Silkstone Waggonway, formerly the route of a horse drawn railway built in 1809, and then have a steady ascent through fields and woodland to Fall Head Farm. We continue to climb through Silkstone Fall woodlands close to Silverwood Scout Camp and cross the Sheffield to Huddersfield railway line to return to our starting point.

As always there are a number of ups and downs, several stiles and short sections of road walking along quiet country lanes.

This is a moderate walk of approx 6 miles. It will take around 3.5 hours including lunch stop.