Ramble 5
Burley in Wharfedale – Hag Farm – Menston –Burley-in-Wharfedale Circular
Maps
The accompanying sketch map gives a general indication of the walk – just click on this small image to display a larger, printable version.
Ordnance Survey maps Explorer 27 (Lower Wharfedale – Washburn Valley, 2½" to 1 mile) for good detail of paths, and Landranger 104 (Leeds, Bradford – Harrogate Area, 1¼" to 1 mile) for general landmarks etc., are recommended in addition.
We hope this walk will encourage you to explore the extensive network of footpaths around our village.
A SUGGESTED LOCAL RAMBLE – by Colin Newton
This walk takes about one and a half hours if the complete circular is followed and one hour if the shorter route is taken after Hag Farm. Depending on the weather and the time of the year there can be some very muddy patches on the shorter route through the fields, especially around two of the stiles, and boots are recommended. Both walks afford good views of the surrounding countryside and an interesting variety of plant and bird life throughout the year. There is plenty to interest children on the walk, including farm animals and machinery, views of the trains etc. See the sketch map.
The starting point for the walk is the station. Exit from the Ilkley direction platform and turn left into Hag Farm Road. The first part of the road is quite wooded and passes between a small number of houses and the grounds of West Lodge on the right before opening out after about half a mile to give beautiful views of Burley Woodhead and the moor ahead and, behind, to the Chevin.
About 200 yards after the last house on the left there is a footpath going off on the right up to Burley Woodhead which also offers an enjoyable short walk. Continue on Hag Farm Road until the farm is reached. Turn left through the farmyard and cross over the stile. After 100 yards there is a three-way footpath sign – one going up the Glen to Woodhead, one going straight on, and the third pointing left into the fields. The longer walk takes the path which goes straight on and the shorter walk takes the left turn through the fields.
Longer walk: continue along the footpath past Bleach Mill House which sells refreshments at the weekend and also fresh eggs. The path broadens out into Bleach Mill Lane and goes gently up hill. You will notice a good sized pond in a field to the right. As the hill flattens out there are excellent views across Wharfedale to the left. You pass South Piece Cottage and then a small number of semi-detached houses with prime views back across Wharfedale before exiting Bleach Mill lane at the point where Main Street, Menston becomes Moor Lane. You are now entering Menston village.
Turn left along Main Street passing, on the left, Grange Farm dated 1672 in the stone above the entrance and 200 yards further on, Fairfax Hall .When you reach the Menston Arms turn left by the church, St John the Divine, into Burley Lane. Walk along the road for about half a mile, taking particular care on the stretch where there is no pavement. Just before the road crosses over the railway and Burley Lane becomes Menston Old Lane turn left into Clarence Drive, an unmade up road. There are a small number of houses on the left and on the right is the railway screened by trees. After about 5 minutes walking the road becomes a path again and the views to Woodhead and Burley Moor open up once more. Shortly there is a stile into the fields where you join up with the shorter walk which has taken the pathway through the fields from Hag Farm. (Both walks from here).
Walk across the field parallel with the embankment until you see a bridge crossing over a beck. You should then cross the corner of the field to a stile on the right which leads up the railway embankment. At the top there is a STOP, LOOK, LISTEN sign. Take great care at this point. The path crosses over the railway line and then goes down through a deeply wooded copse. The footpath crosses a stile and comes out into a field where you turn immediately left.
After 50 yards there is a further stile which leads up onto the track of the old Otley and Harrogate railway line. Turn left along what has become a wildlife corridor in the 40 years since the rail line was closed down. When you come to the end of the pathway take the steps down into Heather Rise, turn left into Sandholme Drive/Rose bank, left into Prospect Road and back to the station.
Shorter walk: Turn left into fields just before the start of Bleach Mill Lane. Walk straight across the field keeping the beck and a series of large holly trees to the right. Ahead are views of Wharfedale and Blubberhouses Moor. Cross the stile – a gap between two stone posts, across a short field with a similar stile at the end. Continue to follow the hedge line until you come to two stiles close together. Cross these and continue onwards, crossing the beck over the wooden bridge.
Go straight on across the field with the stones of a ruined building on the right. Go through the gap in the corner of the fence and then make for the stone arch that you can see ahead going under the railway line. Crossing this field the footpath followed by the longer walk comes in over a stile from the right. Turn left and for the last bit of the walk follow the directions for the longer walk (Both walks from here).
Walk across the field parallel with the embankment until you see a bridge crossing over a beck. You should then cross the corner of the field to a stile on the right which leads up the railway embankment. At the top there is a STOP, LOOK, LISTEN sign. Take great care at this point. The path crosses over the railway line and then goes down through a deeply wooded copse. The footpath crosses a stile and comes out into a field where you turn immediately left.
After 50 yards there is a further stile which leads up onto the track of the old Otley and Harrogate railway line. Turn left along what has become a wildlife corridor in the 40 years since the rail line was closed down. When you come to the end of the pathway take the steps down into Heather Rise, turn left into Sandholme Drive/Rose bank, left into Prospect Road and back to the station.