Shepley and Shelley

Graham Wilson

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This route as a stand-alone walk is a wonderful way of exploring local Yorkshire countryside. This area is known for its rich pastureland and deeply rolling countryside. The route uses a mixture of footpaths, bridleways and minor roads, thereby keeping traffic to a minimum. Part of the route uses the Shelley-Welley walk, as well as the Kirklees Way, the latter being a particularly nice stretch of ancient green lane. The hedgerows abound with wildflowers and slower walkers may well spot birds typical of farmland and hedgerows.

As a stand-alone walk, this route is excellent for those using public transport, as it starts and ends at Shepley Station, which is served by the West Yorkshire Metro train service. Details of timetables can be found at www.wymetro.com, the station being on the Huddersfield to Denby Dale (Sheffield and Barnsley) line.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Countryside

Features

Cafe, Flowers, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Public Transport

8/28/2018 - Alan Brook

I approached the walk with some trepidation, given it was posted 7 years ago, but it is reasonably intact as described, indeed revitalized in parts as either Shelley Welly or Pennine Trail. Not very dog-friendly, lots of livestock so on-lead only and had to lift him over a few high stiles.

4/21/2016 - Andy Booth

Did this pleasant walk around Emley Moor mast on 19/04/16. At WM13 the field had fairly long grass and no discernible path towards the mast and houses in the distance so we stuck to the wall perimeter and as it went left 90 degrees we followed it into the next field and then hugged the perimeter wall immediately on our right. This brought us to a gate and a farm track which we followed until we came out onto the road at the Three Acres Inn. This necessitated turning right on Drinker Lane for about 50 metres to find the footpath sign at WM14. Basically we went round the houses instead of through them! Only difficulty we had after that was finding the stile at WM16. Instructions say to head for the far left corner. However, the stile is about 50 yards from the corner to your right as you descend diagonally and is obscured more than the picture due to the hedges being thicker. At WM22 we opted to miss the muddy embankment so kept left and walked straight up the field to a stile right outside Shelley College. We turned right for about 150 metres then crossed the road to get back to WM23. All in all a very good walk.

10/8/2011 - Walkingworld Admin

Our thanks to Graham Wilson for his updates and new photos for this walk. October 2011. Adrian (Admin)