Best walks from Shepley

Shepley Station to Stocksmoor Station

A short walk taking the walker across the boundary into Shelley, past the location of two old corn mills, along Shepley Dike (also called Thunder Bridge Dike) to Thunder Bridge, and up the hill to Stocksmoor village. Shepley, recorded in the Domesday Book as Scipelei, was known in the 19th century as the 'richest village in England', home to tailors called 'Higglers' whose trade flourished after the railway opened in 1850. From Shepley station the route heads downhill on the walled track of Stretch Gate and along Long Lane, with a fine view of the Emley Moor mast, before descending through woodland to Corn Mill Bottom. It crosses Shepley Dike via a Grade II listed roadbridge and reaches the pretty hamlet of Thunder Bridge, once known as Pound Bridge and home to the Woodman Inn. The walk then climbs steeply up Birks Lane to Stocksmoor, a village best known as the birthplace of Ben Swift Chambers, the church minister who founded Everton Football Club, arriving at the Clothiers Arms beside Stocksmoor station.

2km.

A steep climb up Birks Lane towards Stocksmoor.

Documented by Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership.

Denby Dale Station to Shepley Station

Because the railway crosses the ridge ahead through Cumberworth Tunnel, this section goes over the top via Upper Cumberworth, rewarding the walker with fine views. Leaving Denby Dale station, where mosaics by local schoolchildren and artist Zoe Stainton decorate the former goods warehouse, the route crosses the railway and follows field paths, looking back to the 21-arch Denby Dale Viaduct of 1880 and ahead to Upper Cumberworth Church. It climbs to St Nicholas' Church, Upper Cumberworth, which dates back to 1299 and contains stained glass by William Morris and Co, with the Star Inn and village store nearby. The walk then descends through Balk Lane and several fields into a wood, where the extensive view takes in, from left to right, Thurstonland Church, Castle Hill, the Shelley Park housing estate and the Emley Moor mast. A walled bridle path forming part of the Kirklees Way leads to The Knowle on the outskirts of Shepley, before the route drops under the railway and follows Station Lane to Shepley station.

4km.

Highlights: Denby Dale Viaduct (A 21-arch stone railway viaduct opened in 1880, built alongside an earlier timber viaduct of cobweb appearance).

Documented by Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership.