Route

[From Denby Dale Station, I would follow the quiet country roads to join the WYCR.   But I do not know how they are signposted.]

For those following the WYCR, when you reach the Dunkirk Inn crossroads, go straight across, and follow the road straight ahead.   Now you're off the moors, away from the tough life of hill farming - here it's rich dairy farming - and the tractors are enormous.   The bigger the tractor, the less courtesy you can expect!   Take care.

You will come to a T junction; turn right here, which leads you through the village of High Hoyland.   Soon after the pub, you turn left for a short climb, then a long descent.

Watch out - half way down, you'll see what was once the lodge house for the Bretton Estate - it's signposted "Betton Country Park".   Here, you need to come off the road, through the gate to the right, and down the track - straight down until you've crossed the bridge.

Your call - struggle through an overgrown gate, and up what appears to be now unused route?   Or do as I do - turn right through the wooden gate, and follow the Sculpture Park paths along the bottom of the valley, come out in the Country Park, and then wander erratically uphill, enjoying the Henry Moore sculptures.

Do as I do, and you'll reach the car-park - head out to the roundabout, turn left, and go uphill to the village of West Bretton.   (Just a wee word to the wise - the WYCR signage has been messed with around West Bretton at times - check your map!)   In the village, take the first right, and then right again.

Along this road, and take the first right, to cross the M1, and climb to Woolley Edge.   Enjoy the view into South and West Yorkshire - and turn right.   Keep straight ahead, over the top - to get stunning views in the other direction!   You'll see Woolley village and church across some fields down to your left - take the next left, to reach it.

At the time I write this, some joker in the village has had great fun with the signage - I suggest you ignore it.   Don't turn left into Church Street, but right.   As far as I can see from a map (guess who fell for the malicious resigners!), follow that road, round a sharp left hand bend, and take the next right.

Keep going until your reach a T junction, and turn left.   There's a bit of a dog-leg (left-then-right), and carry on down to Notton.

Again ignore the signage in the village; somebody thinks it's funny to send you on to the very busy A61.   Instead, cycle straight ahead, through the village, across a crossroads (there's a pub on the right).   You'll reach the bridge over the old Barnsley Canal (The Trans-Pennine Trail), with access north to Wakefield and Leeds, south to Royston and Barnsley.

When you reach a T junction, turn right, and follow the road, until you see the church of South Hiendley up towards the left.   Take the next left towards the church, and head for the main village.

You'll reach a T junction in the main village - turn right, and follow the signposts for Hemsworth - keeps you on the WYCR, and makes up for the bits of signage missing!

When you reach a set of traffic lights (there's a church ahead of you, and Hemsworth High School), to follow the WYCR turn right and go straight ahead.

[Alternatively, turn left, and cycle for about 2 miles along the (sometimes busy) B6273 to reach Fitzwilliam station - very well hidden on the right hand side of the road, up a dark ginnel, soon after the signpost to the station car-park (which you can ignore).]

On to Pontefract

Diversions