Best walks from Brockholes

Brockholes Station to Honley Station

On this short but scenic section the railway keeps an elevated position in the valley by means of a huge embankment on the approach to Honley, and the walk offers stunning views across the Holme Valley. Brockholes village is dominated by a large rock outcrop, which in 1870 gave its name to Rock Mills, a textile mill that once employed over 500 people before it was demolished in 1975. From Brockholes station the route follows Ridings Fields and takes a footpath ascending steeply through woodland, with steps leading to a footbridge over the railway line. It climbs woodland paths and field stiles, with fine views opening up ahead to Black Hill, then follows a long path high above the railway before descending through woodland and crossing beneath the line. The walk then climbs Gynn Lane to Honley station. Honley village, just under a mile away via Station Road, was a thriving textile centre in the 1800s with around 20 mills and a history of Luddite activity, and today offers several cafes, pubs and shops.

2km.

A very rural section with no facilities en route, so bring a picnic. Steep ascent through woodland from Brockholes station.

Documented by Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership.

Stocksmoor Station to Brockholes Station

While the railway uses the 1631-yard Thurstonland Tunnel to descend into the Holme Valley, the walking route climbs gradually across fields and pathways to Thurstonland village before dropping steeply to Brockholes station. Leaving Stocksmoor station the route follows Fulstone Road briefly, then takes footpaths and field paths past stiles, a stoop guide post of the kind ordered along hilltop roads from 1697 to guide travellers in misty weather, and Lower Halstead Farm. It climbs to Upper Halstead and Haw Cliff Lane to reach Thurstonland, a hilltop village recorded in the Domesday Book as Tostenland and historically known for farming, mining and brickworks. Passing the Rose and Crown, the walk begins the descent of Thurstonland Bank with fine views ahead to Meltham Moor, following a cobbled-and-flagstone plateway built to carry coal and bricks. A railway footbridge offers a good view of the Thurstonland tunnel portal before the route passes through a subway under the line and emerges near Brockholes station, a village set in a deep wooded ravine whose name means 'badger hole'.

4km.

A steep descent of Thurstonland Bank towards the Holme Valley.

Documented by Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership.