Newmillerdam Country Park - Notton - Walton - Newmillerdam

Graham Wilson

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk. Join or log in above if you are already a member. Access is available to Walkingworld subscribers or you can buy the walk individually for £1.95 once you are logged in.

Newmillerdam Country Park - Notton - Barnsley Canal - Cold Hiendley - Walton - Newmillerdam

Newmillerdam Country Park lies just a few miles from Wakefield, yet allows access to extensive Yorkshire countryside. The route is a circular one, but can be lengthened or shortened by using a map, as there are a lot of footpaths etc in the area. Newmillerdam Country Park is a beautiful place, comprising mixed-leaf woodland around a large lake, created to feed the water mill (now the Beautymill) used to grind corn. You can explore this park as you like, there are maps in the car parks, so long as you find your way to where the route leaves the park and heads into the countryside.

The hedgerows, fields and areas of woodland along the route provide interesting birdlife, flowers and butterflies. Fungi abound in the beech woods in the autumn, but don't pick the rare orchids found growing in the country park!

From the wooded landscapes of the park, the route takes you through arable farmland and along small streams. The section of disused railway line at Royston provides interesting flowers and butterflies. The route picks up the disused Barnsley Canal at Old Royston. This canal was built to feed the industrial aspirations of the area in the 19th Century and has the feel of an old person who has seen life and wishes to take things easy now. The towpath provides access to Cold Hiendley, Wintersett and Anglers Reservoirs, which provide excellent birdwatching. Hides are present at Anglers, as well as a free visitor information centre. If you explore these areas, tracks through the wooded Haw Park return you to the canal through lovely woodland.

The return via Walton Village is another stretch across fields, but affords excellent views from Gibbet Hill. There are pubs, toilets, a cafe and bistro restaurant in Newmillerdam, a shop in Notton and more pubs and shops in Walton (you need to turn right into the village at the main road to find these).

Overall, this is a different and varied walk in West Yorkshire.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Flowers, Lake/Loch, Pub, Toilets

11/1/2009 - Philip Lee

I did this walk today and it's over 9 miles but if you want to cut it short do it in the 2nd half. Going throught Notton instead of around will cut a little off and it is a nice walk

1/22/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk was checked and updated December 2008. The route at waymark 14 is correct as published.

10/14/2008 - Sharon Rainton

There have been alterations @ 14. We appeared to walk anti clockwise round the back of the farm, between paddocks to reach 15. An excellent and varied walk.

3/3/2003 - David Mitchell

Be careful!! This walk is 9 miles. You can cut it short (5.7 miles) by going from 6 direct to 25 passing chevet grange (rhubarb field) and briery court