Favourite Places - CPRE West Yorkshire

All rural areas outside of any conurbations…

For what reasons?

Dark Skies
History
Nature
Other

Roy

Newmillerdam Country Park, Wakefield

“Newmillerdam Country Park in Wakefield offers an opportunity for walkers and photographers, among others, to enjoy a beautiful and tranquil walk around the lake there whilst listening to birdsong and catching sight of the occasional squirrel.”

Wayne.

Newmillerdam Country Park

Water Haigh Park, Woodlesford

“Site of the Water Haigh Colliery, now restored to form a large park with wild flower meadows on the old spoil heap. We were assessing accessibility – that’s Anne on her buggy climbing up the dump, but there was an impassible metal gate at the top, so no wild flower meadow today. The Aire & Calder bisects the park.”

David.

The Guiseley Gap

“The Guiseley Gap has a fascinating geology. The unusual and dominant landscape feature in this corner of the South Pennines it has been crucial in historic development. From prehistoric tracks, to neolithic stones, roman roads, medieval field patterns, and lost parks, it is a place to walk, think, and reconnect.”

Jennifer.

Coley Beck on the Calderdale Way

“Coley Beck on the Calderdale Way below Low Bentley near Shelf. In a real green corridor near built up areas, the old woodland here is predominantly beech. This photo was taken in early spring – soon the woodland floor will be a carpet of bluebells. I love the seasonal variation in the wood – and my family loves to play in the stream.”

Marion.

Ilkley Moor

Heath Common near Wakefield

“Not a particularly spectacular beauty spot, but it is a few minutes walk from our house and from the bench on the top of the hill you can see for miles towards Emley Mast, Old Moss and the Peak District. Wonderful for short dog walks and a place to sit and think.”

Janice

Castle Hill, Huddersfield

“Castle Hill, Huddersfield is my favourite place. It has super views across to the Pennine hills, has a real sense of history and is magical. The Ranger is extremely knowledgeable and has a selection of leaflets, cards and books in his kiosk at the foot of Jubilee Tower.”

Ken.

Emley Moor

“Emley Moor is an unusual favourite place because instead of visiting it, it visits you. I can it from my local park in Sheffield 30km away. On the summer solstice, we watched the mast light up as the sun set. Ever since my childhood, the mast has been a place marker of West Yorkshire, visible from so far around.”

Andrew.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal Towpath

“Between Slaithwaite and Marsden. It is picture perfect, especially near Slaithwaite, where the canal is arched over with trees from woodland either side. All sorts of wildlife including kingfishers and, on a hot day, fish coming up to the water surface. The sense of peace and distance from the real world is astonishing.”

Sue.

Land near Eccup Village

“An area of mixed farmland and woodland near Eccup village, which is crossed by three major rights of way (Leeds Country Way; Dales Way and Ebor Way). A favourite circular walk of mine includes high hedgerows and distant rural views where one will meet few, if any people at all and yet incredibly, it is less than 5 miles from Leeds city centre.”

Vince.

Fewston and Swinsty Reservoirs

“Walking Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs. The walk is close to where I live but you can almost imagine yourself in the Lake District. It has a mixture of walking beside water( with a variety of bird life to see), walking amongst trees (which I love) and some beautiful long distance views. Also the route can be varied taking in other linked paths.”

Geoff.

Cunnery Wood, Halifax

“Cunnery Wood in Shibden Hall Estate, Halifax. Over many years Friends of Nature group, of which I am a member, led conservation summer camps and weekends with young foreign people who came over to Halifax to help restore the wood to its former glory. I was part of these groups and the work has now been completed but I still love to go there.”

Patricia.

Wharfe Valley

“Our favourite places are in the Wharfe Valley, all in the West Riding. The boundary between the non-counties of West & North Yorkshire is a nonsense which causes us all sorts of problems.”

John.

Digley Reservoir

“One of the best short circular walks for miles around, taking in tranquil water, woods, wildlife and moorland in the Peak District National Park, just below Holme Moss. The walk takes in two reservoirs, Digley & Bilberry, and crosses the embankment between the two. The shorter walk is 1.2 miles but can be extended to 5 miles.”

Rob.

National Trust Marsden Moor Estate

“5685 acres of open Pennine moorland with superb walking and astonishing viewpoints. Hang gliders can often be seen at Buckstones and Pule Hill. You can even have a boat trip through Standedge canal tunnel deep under the estate. Part of the South Pennine SPA, it is home to many red listed bird species.”

Claire.