Best walks from Honley

Honley Station to Berry Brow Station

As the line continues on the hillside above the River Holme through the short Honley tunnel and the longer Robin Hood tunnel, the walking route climbs towards Castle Hill to enjoy fine views over Honley, Netherton and beyond. From Honley station the route passes a bus depot and turns up over the railway, then follows a footpath into Upper Park Wood Nature Reserve, climbing through fields with a bench offering magnificent views. Victoria Tower comes into view on Castle Hill, an Iron Age hill fort with over 4,000 years of human activity, the tower itself built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee of 1897 and reaching almost 997 feet above sea level. The walk follows Hey Lane past the cemetery with Castle Hill on the right, passing the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Stirley community farm, then descends an uneven farm track and Cold Hill Lane through Cold Hill hamlet, with views to the left. A final descent down Lady House Lane leads to a road junction, after which the route turns up Birch Road to Berry Brow station, which reopened on its current single platform in 1989.

2km.

This walk is quite steep and uneven in certain places. A very rural area with no facilities en route, so bring a picnic.

Highlights: Victoria Tower, Castle Hill (A tower built for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee atop an Iron Age hill fort, reaching almost 997 feet above sea level).

Documented by Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership.

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.