Swallow Hill RFM Blue Line Walking with Peter

 

Swallow Hill 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Peter

12/06/26

  

 

A rainy misty sort of day greeted us as we started this morning walk, not a long walk but quite hilly. Clayton West is just down the Dearne Valley from Scissett and Denby Dale.

I liked the look of the Church at Clayton West, grand is how I would describe it. In contrast the alleyway off the road onto our route which was quite the opposite.

Until we came across this sign I never new Kaye's Millenium Green existed and it was a pleasant enough area to walk through but not the traditional park land. The cows were not present which was a pity as I think they would add to the area and perhaps keep the grass a bit shorter.

This walk begins with the big hill and sure enough we were ascending along wooded paths and lanes. 

This countryside is just gorgeous, so much green, very green grass. So wonderful and so close to major urban areas in the old West Riding. 

We were in our waterproofs as the rain was intermittent but never far away. There were no real long views. I was in my shorts as the weather though wet was warm. The problem I encountered all walk was that the paths were often through knee high vegetation and the water from the plants was wetting my legs and running down them to wet my socks so I ended up with wet feet. Should have had my leggings on.

The tower you can just see in the photo on the left is Emley Moor TV mast. We were still steeply climbing the hill along the grassy paths.

The seat with a view had less of a view today. This field caused some discussion. Peter said it was corn and I was thinking brassicas. I thought no way is it wheat or barley then I realised he meant maize and of course he was right.

We topped the highest point of the hill and went down to High Hoyland on the other side.

There were great views over Cawthorne Park towards Cannon Hall and Cawthorne. An area of great familiarity to us but today just shrouded in a wet mist.

Is this Cawthorne?

We left the road and headed behind the houses of High Hoyland serenaded by a Jack Russell warning us to keep out. I like this kind of rough left alone land. It looks like a wild life haven.

  

This was quite an overgrown area until we met the owl and the more formal path. The route actually took us past a couple of houses through their front gardens. Weird but it is a right of way. 

These were very wet fields wiping our legs and soaking my socks. A couple of Pheasants are always a welcome sight.

As we walked along the ridge we could see in the distance to our left the outline of Barnsley Hospital and to our right we could nearly see the top of the Emley Moor mast.

Leaving the road we headed down the side of the valley towards Wheatley Hill farm.

This old footpath sign was interesting to see then we briefly went along another lane.

Leaving the tarmac we followed a muddy lane. This is a place you can breathe.

As we dropped down to Bagden Hall and farm the muddy path got wetter and muddier and smelt of cow muck. There can be too much country air. Peter suggested this was the route for the milkers and I totally agreed.... it was well travelled by cows. 

i just like this image of the trees and cows. Its just so English.

We were ignored by the cows as we crossed the muddy field and emerged into the ornamental wood near to Bagden Hall.

The paths were easy to follow and headed down to the hall where we sat on their rockery for a break before heading further down through the wood.

A quick selfie as the sun came out, damp but happy brothers.

At the very bottom of the hill a large re-purposed mill complex awaited us. We spent some time looking at it. It was a facinating site. I wonder what its history is? I asked AI and it told me:
The most remarkable feature of Nortonthorpe Mill is its engine house, which contains a rare Pollit & Wigzell horizontal tandem compound steam engine (built 1886). 

This building seems more likely to be associated with the hall. I am guessing than the mill and hall being so close together was no accident.

Talking about being close together.

This is a very large industrial comlex now multiple units.

I loved the pet sheep hiding under the tree or maybe just sheltering from the weather.

Then we were back up the hill on the other side of Wheatley Hill farm through Upper Common to Hill Top farm. We went a lot higher up the hill on this second ascent than I expected but it was through the fields so a pleasure to do.

We could have followed the road down to Clayton West but there was a path down the fields so we took that instead. It was definitely brightening up a lot from earlier.

Is that a Giraffe?

Then it was back to the cars and another good walk completed. Unusual for this week this walk had no diversions at all.

A good walk in not good weather. As ever the enjoyment is as much in the company as the scenery.

OS Map

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32434551/swallow-hill-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.58509&lon=-1.62555&zoom=13.7652&style=TopoAuto&type=2d