Pontefract to Garforth (anti-clockwise)
- Easy riding
- Rail access
- Pontefract Monkhill (Leeds, Goole)
- Pontefract Tanshelf (Wakefield, Goole)
- Pontefract Baghill (Doncaster, York)
- Castleford (Leeds, Knottingley/Barnsley
- Garforth (Leeds, York/Selby) - Other access - the Aire and Calder Navigation offers a very pleasant and interesting route from central Leeds as far as Woodlesford; but there is no through route by the canal to Allerton Bywater. I leave the canal and turn left, on to the (busy) A642. Soon after crossing the river, bear right on to a lane which will lead you through to Great Preston. Arriving at the road into the village, to your right you'll see a mini-roundabout; turn left there and cycle down to the old railway bridge over the Lines path and join the WYCR.
- Pontefract - Sustrans National Cycle Network map for the start of this section (opens in a new window)
Route
From a station or the town centre, head for the A639 (very busy); turn north - and take the first left (the B6134 to North Featherstone) as soon as you've crossed the railway bridge.
When you reach the crossroads in the middle of North Featherstone, turn right for Castleford; you'll pass under the M1. Keep going straight ahead, across a main road, under a disused railway line. When you reach the next main road, bear right across the level-crossing and head towards Castleford town centre.
[For the railway station, turn right at the next roundabout.]
For the WYCR, keep straight ahead to the last roundabout, by the River Aire, and turn right. At the next roundabout, turn left on to the A656 (busy at times), cross the river and the canal. Cycle out, straight through the traffic lights, and take the next turning on the left. [This route bypasses Allerton Bywater village - for a quieter alternative, which takes you by the Boat Inn, see below]
About half a mile along this road, you'll see on the right the "ceremonial gateway" for The Lines; follow this disused railway line through to Garforth. You will know you've arrived at Garforth when you pass under a busy main road; the route takes a right hand bend on to what looks more like a pedestrian path - follow this to its end.
There, turn left on to the road. In half a mile (just after the right turn which can take you to East Garforth station), there's a pub on the left hand side - turn left down here, take the first right (it bends round to the left), and turn right. You'll see Garforth Station in front of you, on the right hand side.
On to WetherbyDiversions
- A quieter route between Castleford and The Lines - as soon as you cross the canal, the A656 bends right. On the bend, there is a footpath (NB it is a footpath, not a bridleway) which runs parallel to the River Aire, to the Boat Inn, where it becomes a road. Follow this road to a staggered junction; go straight ahead to a T-junction, turn right, and in a few yards rejoin the WYCR at the entry to The Lines route.
- Following the A656 out of Castleford, turn right at the Allerton Bywater traffic lights for the RSPB reserve at Fairburn Ings; always worth a visit. The triangle formed by this road, the A1, and the A656 is one of my favourite bits of country-side around Leeds - quiet country lanes, woods and farm-land, and some fine views.