Barnsley Boundary Walk


Part 1

Penistone to Elsecar - 19ml

13 folk met up at The Penistone Paramount to begin this year's LDP Wednesday walk The Barnsley Boundary Walk

Aaron opened the day with some historical news that most had heard that Vermuyden LDWA had been awarded the opportunity to host the annual 'hundred' in 2021. With most of the Core Committee present it promised to be a good day.

Penistone not actually on route but a good base with good train connections and on the Trans Pennine Trail. A useful town.

The morning saw us move south on the TPT for 4 miles through the Thurgoland tunnel on our way to Finkle Street. We found our way onto the Wharncliffe Crags to walk the edge top path along our Elsecar Skelter long route in reverse, Elevenses taken on the edge (with some smashing views) and we passed the place the Dragons Den self-clip is put to leave the crags just after the wooden Dragon. Descending back down to the TPT we followed this round up and down to the Woodhead Rd.

We descended to some boggy fields then negotiated a blocked path and a not so authorised path to Cundy Cross.

The afternoon saw us follow our Elsecar Skelter route all the way back to Elsecar.

Lunch was took at Howbrook at the cross, a local fella came calling whist having our sandwiches the locals were petitioning the Parish Council for the removal of the 90's telephone box and the addition of extra benches, a picture of our motley crew is just what he was after.

Passing Tankersley Old Hall and some more boggy fields we found Elsecar train stn for our connections to Penistone via Barnsley.

A good day’s walk in great company, thanks to Aaron for leading.

 

Part 2

Elsecar to Darton - 26.5ml

13 walkers met at the Darton Park and ride for the 7:20am train ride to Elsecar our start point for part two of the Barnsley Boundary Walk.

Leaving Elsecar along the Trans Pennine Trail (most recognising it as on the RRR50 route) we followed the TPT all the way to The Old Moor reserve it’s here we found the Dearne Way and came across a very desperate path towards Bolton upon Dearne.

We had elevenses in the Goldthorpe Recreation Ground then entered Phoenix Park (regenerated Thurnscoe pit tip). Walking towards the Doncaster boundary we turned left to move above Thurnscoe towards Clayton and a pleasant snowdrop path.

It must be mentioned here the amount of fly tipping during the last few miles was horrendous.

For the lunch stop we found the public house at Brierley was closed down (we found this staggering as it was on the busy A628 Barnsley Rd). Leaving Brierley towards Shafton and Royston we came across Applehaige farm then Keepers Lane.

A bit over-long quiet country road walking took us towards Wooley Edge Road through Weatley Wood and then a bit off route towards our vehicles in Darton.

Another good route (a bit urban in places with some nasty fly tipping) lead by Aaron

 

Part 3

Darton to Ingbirchworth - 20ml

15 walkers met at Darton railway station to walk the third section of this four part walk on a perfect sunny morning.

We left the station and proceeded down to the river Dearne and followed the Dearne Way to Bretton Country Park, another country estate bought by Barnsley council and converted into a park and now a sculpture park and college and the rumor is soon to be a hotel.

We continued on through beautiful countryside to yet another country park, Cannon Hall where we stopped for refreshments. We continued on through Upper Denby and on to Dunkirk (not the French one) and stopped at the Dunkirk pub, a fantastic new pub well worth a visit.

Suitably refreshed we continued on our way towards Gunthwaite and past the medieval barn and then past Gunthwaite Dam and then left the Barnsley Boundary walk at Ingbirchworth to make our way along a redundant railway track to Penistone to catch the train back to Darton. What a great walk on a lovely day through beautiful countryside and well led by Aaron.

 

Part 4

Ingbirchworth to Penistone - 28.5ml

9 LDWA members turned out at the Penistone Paramount to walk the last day on The Barnsley Boundary Walk on what was forecast to be a very windy morning.

Leaving Penistone on the TPT towards Thurgoland saw us return to the caravan park on the lane we left last section.

Using minor roads eventually descending Cheese Nab to Hepworth saw us walk in some of the windiness weather we have experienced in some time.

Elevenses were took in Hepworth we followed the Compos Way towards Winscar Rezzie.

Crossing the dam wall we walked a little way up Windle Edge to find a very wet path across the moors towards the A616 and the Snow Road.

Finding the Dog and Partridge for a lunch gave us some respite from the wind. After lunch a pleasant path towards Langsett saw us negotiate the A616 for the second time.

We followed the path at the side of the A616 with a little lump to get over to eventually reach Finkle Street.

It is here we completed the circle and with just a 4ml walk along the TPT took us back to the Paramount where Aaron gave us some certificates and badges for our completion.

 

In Conclusion

The BBW showed the differing countryside around Barnsley.

The Southern section showed us why our Summer challenge walk is aound that area, a lovely path across the crags and the TPT showed us what a useful path it is.

The Eastern section is a little desperate in places, although most towns are industrial there are a few gems (such as The Phoenix Park) that still  make this section worthwhile. 

The Northern section shows how proactive Barnsley council were at purchasing the Old Historic Houses in that part of the borough, both Cannon Hall and Bretton Park are in this section.

The Western section is the gem of the lot, it shows the boundary into the Peak District and has some lovely scenery

In all a very enjoyable 4 days of walking