Monday 7th February 2022

Monday 7th February 2022

Monthly Short Walk: Affetside and Top o’ th Knotts Circular

As is usual the monthly short walk started from Greenmount Old School, on a dry but chilly morning with twenty-four walkers heading down Kirklees Valley Trail as far as Shepherd Street, where we turned right and made our way down Holcombe Road to Old Kays Park. Once through the park we crossed Turton Road and joined a narrow footpath up to Cann Street, which we crossed and made our way up a farm track eventually going through a gate that gave us access to the fields where we followed a muddy path to Watling Street, the old Roman Road.

Heading for Affetside

After a short walk along the road, in the direction of Affetside, we turned left onto a farm track that took us down to a stile, which we climbed over and headed across the fields to Top o’ th Knotts and a coffee stop in the small hamlet, recently renovated.

Top o’ th Knotts

Once refreshed we turned right, after the stone cottages, and joined a footpath which eventually arrived at Crompton’s Farm, where twelve black and white cats were enjoying a morning feast.

Crompton’s Farm

Continuing through the farmyard we joined an extremely muddy path that crossed the fields back up to Watling Street. On our way through the fields, we had the pleasure of watching three roe deer who were keeping a safe distance but were happy to watch us as we made our way through the mud.

Muddy Fields

More Muddy Fields

Back on Watling Street we headed up to the village turning left down the side of the Pack Horse taking the footpath to Turton Road, which we crossed, joining a footpath that took us down to Two Brooks Valley.

Watling Street

Once through the valley we had to climb the steep hill up the Croichley Fold as the footpath is blocked further down the valley due to a collapsed culvert. From Croichley Fold we headed back to Greenmount via the Golf Club having covered 6 muddy miles.

Heading home