Oxenhope Howarth RFM Blue Line
RFM Blue Line
09/12/25
On a warmish winter day in Brontë country I set off along the Railway Children walk. What a rich literary history this area has. I have only just completed all of the Brontë books which I was inspired to do after Peter and I visited the ruins of High Withens whilst passing on the Pennine Way. I love some of the books but others are a bit samey. Wuthering Heights is by far the most interesting and in its complexity of emotions, status, life and death, open to a multitude of interpretations, a magnificent read and well worth multiple reads. Anyway on to the walk.
This walk starts at the Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice where Babs is having a short stay to control her pain. I get to visit her twice in one day, in the morning before I set off and the early afternoon when I get back.
The flavour of the urban area typical of the West Riding is in some ways fossilised in these high moorland settlements.
I passed the railway sheds of the Keighly and Worth Valley railway and crossed the Bridgehouse Beck, full from the recent rains.
Crossing the railway I followed the Railway Children walk up the hill to Marsh Top.
Old Oxenhope Hall and Old Oxenhope Farm suggest to me that this was the location of the original settlement but on the hill top and not at the river crossing is a bit puzzling. I need a local historian to unravel this mystery.
The sheep are, as ever, the animal stars on these higher walks. They love to watch you as you walk past. The beacon was erected for the 2022 platinum Jubilee of the late queen.
The way to Howarth along this path was lovely and I passed quite a few friendly dog walkers and a couple of hikers. I had plenty of chats and met a few dogs including a Schnauser called Moorcroft who pointedly ignored me.
The light on this bright December morning was clear and crisp.
Has time stood still?
I diverted through the park down the hill towards the valley bottom remembering visiting this with Babs, Venka and the boys when they were little. They were full of energy and movement.
From the bridge at the bottom of the hill the railway engines are lined up ready to go to work.
Walking along the muddy bottom of the Bridgehouse Beck I was in a different world completely.
This little bridge to the railway was a curiosity as it was only wide enough for a person to walk over, but what a beautiful piece of solid railway memorabilia. My way did not cross it, perhaps a future walk.
There was plenty of water in the becks but they were not in flood yet.
I went up to Royd House but the footpath was missing so I had to detour up a very steep hill. At the top of the hill I met an old couple in their garden with a noisy sheep dog. We chatted a while and when I mentioned the steep hill the old guy chuckled and said it was called Thrombosis Hill, don't know its real name. The way to Bentley Hey featured in the photos above was along a lane, then over a style into a quagmire then across a deeply rutted muddy morass, under an over grown stand of holly bushes and across a bramble strewn moor. I didn't take photos as I was too busy trying to keep upright and not get prickled. Sometimes the way is not an easy way.
The route lead down a cutting, probably an old lane, next to an overgrown quarry. The views across the valley to Oxenhope were reviving.
I passed a group of Alpacas always a great sight in the british countryside, no longer a rarity. They are fun though aren't they.
The industrial heritage of Oxenhope is plain and wonderful to see. This lane above Manorlands is called Dark Lane and heads up to the quarry on the moor I had passed earlier.
950 feet ascent in only 6 miles is pretty good in a winter walk. I am glad it was dry. Not the classic Brontë walk but I was sure they had trodden this way as they explored their world.
The flavour of the urban area typical of the West Riding is in some ways fossilised in these high moorland settlements.
I passed the railway sheds of the Keighly and Worth Valley railway and crossed the Bridgehouse Beck, full from the recent rains.
Crossing the railway I followed the Railway Children walk up the hill to Marsh Top.
A short walk along Marsh Lane and a right turn onto the Brontë Way.
Old Oxenhope Hall and Old Oxenhope Farm suggest to me that this was the location of the original settlement but on the hill top and not at the river crossing is a bit puzzling. I need a local historian to unravel this mystery.
In front the lovely green countryside I was walking into and on the right parts of Howarth with Oakworth and Keighly in the distance.
The way to Howarth along this path was lovely and I passed quite a few friendly dog walkers and a couple of hikers. I had plenty of chats and met a few dogs including a Schnauser called Moorcroft who pointedly ignored me.
Just look at the moss on these old walls and trees, just sumptious.
The parsonage and church at Howarth strangely quiet. This is the epicentre of Brontë tourism but I just remember that the water percolating through the graveyard is the probable cause of the TB that devasted the family.
This classic view of Howarth in this light and without crowds is perfect.
I diverted through the park down the hill towards the valley bottom remembering visiting this with Babs, Venka and the boys when they were little. They were full of energy and movement.
Walking along the muddy bottom of the Bridgehouse Beck I was in a different world completely.
There was plenty of water in the becks but they were not in flood yet.
I went up to Royd House but the footpath was missing so I had to detour up a very steep hill. At the top of the hill I met an old couple in their garden with a noisy sheep dog. We chatted a while and when I mentioned the steep hill the old guy chuckled and said it was called Thrombosis Hill, don't know its real name. The way to Bentley Hey featured in the photos above was along a lane, then over a style into a quagmire then across a deeply rutted muddy morass, under an over grown stand of holly bushes and across a bramble strewn moor. I didn't take photos as I was too busy trying to keep upright and not get prickled. Sometimes the way is not an easy way.
The route lead down a cutting, probably an old lane, next to an overgrown quarry. The views across the valley to Oxenhope were reviving.
I turned right and headed down a slippery leafy path to Lower Town.
I passed a group of Alpacas always a great sight in the british countryside, no longer a rarity. They are fun though aren't they.
The industrial heritage of Oxenhope is plain and wonderful to see. This lane above Manorlands is called Dark Lane and heads up to the quarry on the moor I had passed earlier.
This had been a wonderful walk from Oxenhope to Howarth and back but it was not easy going in places and those hills are steep. I loved it especially the winter light.
950 feet ascent in only 6 miles is pretty good in a winter walk. I am glad it was dry. Not the classic Brontë walk but I was sure they had trodden this way as they explored their world.
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