Worsbrough Bridge, Common and Dale. Walking with Lacey

 Worsbrough Bridge, Common and Dale. 

Walking with Lacey

16/07/24

This week because of time constraints we have to be back to lacey early so this is a shorter local walk.

We quickly left the estate behind and headed through the countryside towards Swaithe. The views were actually quite good, I even liked the curve of the railway in the landscape. The duckpond at Swaithe was good to see but on this hot morning few ducks were there to be seen.

Wombwell Woods on the other side of the valley gave a lovely backdrop to the walk. 

We followed the path down to the railway bridge and onto the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT). This photo is atypical of a view of trail all along this route. We passed plenty of dog walkers and people just enjoying the day with a stroll. There were a couple of polite bike riders who passed us with a greeting after ringing their presence. In fact it was very pleasant. We passed a couple with a lovely little dog called Bandit. As normal Lacey got  the bulk of the canine attention.

The trail crossed the A61 at the newly refurbished Ship Inn. There is an unused but reasonably maintained canal in the valley but not for today's walk.

We continued along the trail just pausing at the bridge for a view of Wentworth Castle in the distance.

Just before Wigfield Farm we were pausing to take pictures of Worsbrough Reservoir when a lady with a little dog and pram passed us. Her little one had his feet sticking out of the stroller pointing up in the air in a picture of relaxation and we had a chuckle with her over the sight.

At Wigfield Farm the route left the TPT and pushed up a very overgrown path up towards Ward Green.

Thoroughly scratched and nettled we eventually emerged onto the more open arable landscape above the farm and climbed the hill to Ouslethwaite. A lovely little old stately home with marvelous views across the valley.

From the road we had views over towards Wentworth Castle and beyond to Thurgoland. But we were not yet at the top of the hill.

A short walk through Ward Green then we were up again through the field to the top of Worsbrough Common.

From the top field we could see Locke Park Tower through the trees.

Through the houses we could see Barnsley Town Hall and Big red in the distance. It was a reminder of how hilly Barnsley actually is. 

Down the hill through Worsbrough Common and onto Sheffield Road, an improving area of Barnsley but still with a way to go.

We passed around the back of Barnsley Cemetery where the likes of the famous Busby Babe, Tommy Taylor rests in a modest grave for such a world famous football icon (different times).

Onward along a scruffy path to the Swannee Pond. Lacey had warned me this was a bit of a cesspit but actually it had been cleaned up and was quite pleasant. We saw dragonflies and fish jumping. As Lacey knew this area better than me I suggested she chose the way back to the car and she was happy to oblige. 

We climbed a long series of stairs and ended up on a road with a great view of Barnsley town centre. We enjoyed the modern Barnsley skyline being much better than many cities and discussed the future developments we knew of. I think we both agreed that though Barnsley was more a city than a town we preferred it to remain a town. After all we all call it Tarn and are proud of it but what could we call it if it became a city? Tarn will always be Tarn.

We made our way back through the estate to the car. 

A mixed bag of a walk, urban, rural, national trail and steep hills all showing Barnsley at its undiscovered best.