Ryhill

Sunday, 7th November

10.5 Km (6.7 miles) - 1hr 54 mins
 

 

A gloriously clear November day, almost warm enough to walk in shorts (well, perhaps not).  I was due to be at the Ladies Roses Match held at Barnsley RUFC and, as luck would have it, this walk appeared in "Country Walking" magazine. 

I have to admit I have never heard of Ryhill and this region just South of Wakefield is not an area I would have thought of as being walking country, but the walk, although it was gentle enough, was a little gem with plenty to see and a variety of scenery.  It is certainly a popular area and both the Anglers Country Park and Haw Park Wood were full of people.

The start of the walk was not easy to find. Ryhill itself is joined to Havercroft and the road signs, whilst metioning Ryhill suddenly ran out and I found myself driving round in circles (more of that later as well).

The route drops down from Ryhill to the village of Wintersett and then cuts through a field to the Anglers County Park.  Here you simply follow the path around the perimeter of the lake which was full of geese at this time of the year.

After the circuit of the lake the walk heads off for Haw Park Wood and the second section through the wood itself. Eventually this come out at the dam over Cold Hiendley Reservoir and, after crossing the road, follows the Barnsley Canal which, as well as being unused, must be the smelliest canal in England !.

The final stretch was a shady country path back up to Ryhill and the start/finish of the walk.

As for the rugby !  Well, I got horrendously lost in Barnsley and never found the ground. Despite asking for directions (including one person who claimed there was no rugby club in Barnsley) I spend 3/4 hour driving around in circles!  Hope the game was a good one and the result the right one !

Pictures available from the link