Weekend Walk: Farnley Tyas Circular

It separates the hilltop of village of Farnley Tyas from the prominent landmark of Castle Hill and is bordered by Almondbury, Honley and Thurstonland. Despite the proximity of these residential areas the woods, fields and back lanes are quiet. Dominating the valley is Castle Hill, a scheduled ancient monument standing on a prominence that has been settled by humans for at least 4000 years. At Bank Foot there is a memorial to the six crew of an RAF Wellington bomber which crashed into a cottage there on 17 February 1942. Look out for yellowhammers and common buzzards on farmland, great spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches around Molly Carr Wood.

1. From St Lucius Church in Farnley Tyas walk west along Butts Road for a short distance and go right to take the permissive footpath through School Wood, avoiding deviations away from the road. At the end turn left to walk past houses and turn right to pass a play area and continue along the edge of a recreation ground to find a path leading out to a tarmac lane.

2. Turn right and walk with care a short distance to turn right onto Ludhill Lane. Follow it downhill and at a timber bench continue ahead on a walled path leading downhill to Hall Ing Lane, Honley. Turn right for a short distance and take a track into West Wood. Soon, fork left and follow the path out of the wood. Cross a field to stepping stones over Ludhill Dike and go uphill to the left of Shaw Head. Follow the lane up to the main road.

3. Next to High Royd Farm turn right to walk along the road. Before a bend cross with care and take a signposted footpath. Continue to the right, cross a stile and angle left uphill to a road. Turn right for a short distance, cross with care to path beside a bus stop and follow the path along field edges to Lumb Head. Turn right in the farmyard then go left to reach Lumb Lane.

4. Turn right and follow the tarmac lane downhill. Beyond the last house turn right on a path which descends fields and enters Molly Carr Wood. Cross Lumb Dike, continue uphill and turn left on a path through the woods which emerges at Bank Foot.

5. Turn right on the tarmac lane and walk up the steep hill. Turn right onto Farnley Bank, a private road carrying a public footpath. Walk past houses and the WW2 memorial, and follow a path which angles left up a field to a gate. Turn right on Woodsome Road and walk with care back into Farnley Tyas.

Difficulty Rating: 1 stars

Time: 2 hours

Distance: 4.5 miles

Maps: Explorer Sheet 288 Bradford & Huddersfield

Parking: Responsible street parking Farnley Tyas

Public transport: Farnley Tyas is served by the 341/341A buses from Huddersfield. For details see www.wymetro.com or call 0113 245 7676.

Refreshments:Farnley Tyas, Castle Hill (off route)

Toilets: For refreshment customers above.