A WALK WITH
ASHLEY
An exhilarating walk around Holmfirth,
the homeland of internationally renowned
watercolourist Ashley Jackson
© Claudia Berettoni
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
2-3
Overview
4-5
Holy Trinity Church
> Back Lane
6-7
Back Lane
> Underbank Old Road
8-9
Underbank Old Road
> Choppards Bank Road
10-11
Choppards Bank Road
> Lamma Wells Road
12-13
Lamma Wells Road
> Rotcher Road
14-15
Rotcher Road
> Hollowgate
16-17
Key dates and information
18-19
I’ve planned the route of this walk
specially to introduce you and other
visitors to the Holmfirth area.
I also want to explain how this remarkable
town and its’ surrounding countryside has
influenced me as an artist since I moved
to Holmfirth in 1972 and opened my first
studio in the town in 1981.
The walk is just over two and a half
miles or four and a half kilometres
and the entire route is on hard all
weather surfaces, so trainers or
other flat soled shoes will be fine for
most of the year. If you’re of average
fitness the walk should be quite easy,
but some older people or families
with young children may find the
short, but steep hills a bit daunting.
The steep and narrow stone steps
at the start of the walk are on one
of the most attractive sections, but
make access for pushchairs difficult.
Do please remember, however, to
take a waterproof jacket with you, as
the weather changes rapidly in the
Pennines and it’s not much fun to be
soaked to the skin.
Introduction 2-3
p10-11
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Wooldale Cli
ff Rd
Cin
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ills
Upper Bank End Rd
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Upper Bank End Rd
Dunford
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Start here
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Lamma
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Choppards Lane
p14-15
r Rd
Cem
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Goose Green
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Hallo
I ask one thing only, that you
occasionally stop along the way to
drink in the fantastic landscape created
by Mother Nature, but also be aware
that the weather can turn quickly so
be prepared for all eventualities.
Ln
ck
p6-7
Und
Gully Terrace
Swe
ep
Green Ln
I hope that many of you will view
Holmfirth and the surrounding area
with fresh eyes and enjoy the walk;
it has much to offer for families,
couples or solitary walkers.
p8-9
Cliff Rd
St
This booklet takes you through each
section of the walk and includes some
of my own artwork of the fantastic
landscapes. The walk is approximately
two and a half miles and should take
around one and a half hours if walked
at a leisurely pace.
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erban
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Old R
e
Rich Gat
© Claudia Berettoni
Sla
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OVERVIEW
rd Rd
Dunfo
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Overview 4-5
Arr
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Daisy Lane
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Thorpe Heys
1. The walk starts in the paved square
off Town Gate, outside Holy Trinity
Church. Walk to the far left hand
corner of the square and climb the
steep steps, with hand rail, which go
up between the Church and Beattie’s
Coffee Shop. When you get to the top
of the steps bear left.
Church
Terrace
Holy Trinity Church
Mar
ket
Wal
k
Tow
nga
te
Ba
Str
e
et
Start here
Victoria
Square
Ba
ck
So
Du
ut
hS
tre
et
nf
or
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oa
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La
l The
ne
small detached stone building
on the left is the famous T’owd
Towser and thought to be the oldest
building in the town. T’owd Towser
has seen many uses including as fire
station, mortuary and town lock-up.
© Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging
2. Continue past T’owd Towser on
the left and then up Church Terrace,
where there are more steep steps to
climb. Turn left at the top of the steps
and continue up Bunkers Hill. At the
top of Bunkers Hill, turn right up hill
along Back Lane.
Assuming its clear weather, there are
good views on the right, over Holmfirth
to Greenfield Road.
Holmfirth is in the Pennines, which are
well known for their wet weather and
water has played an important role
in the history of Holmfirth. One of the
reasons why the woollen textile industry
established in Holmfirth was that the
fast flowing upland streams could be
used as a source of water power.
A more infamous role played by water
in the history of the town was on the
5th of February 1852, when Bilberry
Reservoir burst its banks, and spread
death and destruction for miles down
the Holme Valley.
Holy Trinity Church > Back Lane 6-7
ith
La
Sla
ck
Ln
Cin
d
er
Hi
lls
R
d
Wooldale C
liff Rd
rd Rd
Dunfo
3. Carry on along BackUp
Lane,
nk End Rd
per Bapast
a fig tree on the right and the Old
Vicarage on the left.
eL
Old
rbank
n
Cliff Rd
Ln
Upper Bank End Rd
Rd
Unde there
Continuing the water theme,
are a number of attractive old water
troughs on this walk and one of the
first we encounter is on the left.
Dunford
Rd
ith
eL
n
Gully Terrace
Swe
ep
4. Continue up hill, ignoring the road
junction on the right, you are now
walking up South Lane. Continue along
South Lane and past theCjunction with
ho
pp
New Laithe Lane on the left.
ard
s
Turn right down Underbank Old Bank
Rd
Road, which is very steep at this
point. There are traces of the former
cobbled surface, which start just
outside Joben Cottage.
La
w
pit N
ew
Rd
Dover Ln
Ln
R
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nfo
d
© hd9 imaging
Ne
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ut
So
Was
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Rich Ga
k Old
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Under
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Ln
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Underbank Old Rd, Holmfirth
Bu
er
sH
ill
Victoria Square
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Rd
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Wa
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Lamma
Wells R
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Back
Lane
>
Underbank
Old Road 8-9
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Green Ln
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“It had just rained, and the Yorkshire stone glistened. The telegraph wires
appeared to dance around a maypole in the wind. The road was deserted
- I was magnetised to the magic of the moment, and felt compelled to
freeze the moment forever on paper.” AJ
6. Turn right down Choppards Bank Road.
Keep left at the fork in the road and
continue up Choppards Bank Road.
5. Continue along Underbank Old
Road, which levels out at the bottom
of the hill and continue straight
across the cross road, then up hill.
There is a welcome roadside seat on
the left, where you can rest and enjoy
the views over to Cartworth. The large
building in the bottom of the Valley is
Washpit Mill.
Go past the solitary mill chimney to the
road junction and then turn right down
Underbank Old Road to Dunford Road.
Cross Dunford Road, the B6106 (take
nk
Ba
care
ne to avoid traffic) and turn left up hill
La
ke
a
t
S
on the pavement for about 500 metres.
The mill was originally built to take
advantage of the water from the River
Ribble, which joins the River Holme in
Holmfirth. Washpit Mill is a working
woollen mill, employing about 130
people in carpet production.
Looking up the valley, there are superb
views up to Holme Styes Reservoir and
the high Yorkshire moors of the Peak
District National Park.
rd Rd
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eL
Sla
ck
ith
Ln
La
rb
Unde
Ln
Gully Terrace
he
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it
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Rd
Unde
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Swe
ep
Ln
Ch
Upper Bank End Rd
op
Rd
unford
D
d
Old R
Was
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pit N
Dover Ln
ew
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par
ds
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Rich Ga
rbank
Ln
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ank O
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Holmfirth from Choppards
“As Castle Hill stands majestic in the middle distance, the whole warm, intoxicating
and inviting atmosphere of the Holme Valley seemed to echo around me.” AJ
Ch
op
pa
rd
sB
an
Underbank Old Road > Choppards Bank Road 10-11
© Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging
Upper Bank End Rd
Cin
de
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ills
Rd
Dunfo
Ch
op
Ban
kR
d
te
Rich Ga
7. After Choppards Mission Room and
at the junction with Cote Lane, turn
right down Choppards Lane. At the
bottom of this steep hill, there is a
large mill pond on the right.
Ch
op
The mill pond is fed by the River Ribble
and would originally have provided a
source of water power for Washpit Mill.
pa
rd
s
Ba
nk
Rd
Green Ln
The building about 700 metres along
Choppards Bank Road on the left is
Choppards Mission Room, a small
hillside church with superb views
across the valley.
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Choppards Lane
La
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m
aW
ell
art
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wo
Choppards Lane
Co
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La
ne
nk
Ba
Originally built in 1839 as a day
school, the former classroom is now
used as a chapel by the Upper Holme
Valley team ministry of the Church
of England. The interesting stone
structures on the left of the chapel
were the outdoor lavatories. Imagine
sitting there, with no heating on a
cold and snowy day in January!
© Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging
par
ds
8. Continue uphill past Washpit Mill
and then past Lamma Wells Farm,
until you join Lamma Wells Road.
Overcast skies over Choppards
“This painting represents the essence of Autumn, a wonderful season
when one can savour rich, subtle siennas, playing against winter greys,
producing a cloak of vivid colour. The painting represents the many
friendly and welcoming men and women who live in the moorland farms
of Yorkshire, whom have greeted me with a smile. They possess a special
character; life has carved for them qualities that glow from within.” AJ
Rd
Choppards Bank Road > Lamma Wells Road 12-13
Rd
ills
R
d
Wooldale Cl
iff
Would you believe that Holmfirth was
once a mini Hollywood?
Cin
de
rH
Upper Bank End Rd
Sla
c
Ln
La
ith
e
Ne
w
U
n
hL
ut
Old R
d
Ln
Ba
ck
Rd
James Bamforth,
born at Cartworth,
Upper Bank End Rd
in the early 1840’s, was among a
select group of early British
d
rd RfilmDunfo for producing
makers and responsible
a modest but historically significant
Was
hpit
collection of films. The Bamforth
New
Rd
Dovename
is now chiefly remembered for
r Ln
its cheeky seaside postcards.
e
Rich Gat
ank
nderb
So
o
nf
Ln
© Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging
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Unde
Gully Terrace
rd
Swe
ep
rba
kL
n
ith
La
Cliff Rd
d Rd
nk Ol
rd Rd
Dunfo
At the top of this hill, on Lamma Wells
Road, there are dramatic views down
the Holme Valley to Castle Hill Iron Age
Fort aboveCHuddersfield
in the distance.
ho
pp
ard
s B Wells Road and
9. Continue on Lamma
a k
go past the junction withnCartworth
Rd
Bank Road at the top of the hill and
then continue onto Cartworth Road.
10. Continue along Cartworth Bank
Road until you reach the junction with
Cemetery Road and Rotcher Road.
Proceed down Rotcher Road.
Ch
op
Du
oria Square
Ca
R
th
d
rd
Wa
Ban
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Cartworth
Rd
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or th R
Cartw
St
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ia
Rotcher Rd
Rd
Wa
rd
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Ln
Goose Green
Cem
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or
th
er Rd
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Choppards Lane
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Hallo
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Lamma Wells Road > Rotcher Road 14-15
Arr
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End here
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Fo
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Andrew Sanderson
John & Dawn Field
Ashley Jackson
Mick Kirkby-Geddes
Photographer
Tel: 01484 685315
www.andrewsanderson.com
Contemporary jewellery
Tel: 07847534520
www.jfield.co.uk
Landscape Watercolourist
Tel: 01484 686460
www.ashley-jackson.co.uk
Scrap metal sculpture
Tel: 01484 682454
www.mkg.me.uk
Booth House Pottery
Rosalind Annis Studio
Ceramics
Tel: 01484 685270
www.jimrobison.co.uk
Pastel artist
Tel: 01484 681870
www.rosalindannis.uwclub.net
Celia Kilner
Sculpture Lounge Studios
Stone carver and calligrapher
Tel: 01484 685167
Sculptors and model makers
Tel: 01484 687425
www.sculpturelounge.com
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ou
Ro
yd
M
Ro
yd
s
Th
e
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oa
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os
et
er
Go
re
en
Rotcher Road
David Mayne
Ce
m
w
Ne
© Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging
Ro
Ne
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ad
Ro
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H
In addition to showing you what
a beautiful and interesting area
Holmfirth is, I hope that I have been
able to give you some insight into
how artists seek to interpret the
landscape. If you are interested in
finding out more about the work of
Holmfirth artists, you may wish to
visit some of the following galleries
and web sites:
Ca
rt
wo
rt
hR
oa
d
11. As you come around the bend on
Rotcher Road, take a left turn down
some steep steps that lead through
to Goose Green. Continue onto New
Row and past White Witch Cottage.
The lane emerges onto Hollowgate,
opposite Holmfirth Market.
When you’ve finished this walk,
why not treat yourself to a delicious
snack in one of the many excellent
cafés in Holmfirth.
Metal sculpture
Tel: 01484 687986
www.david-mayne.co.uk
Sue Clay
David Roberts
Raku ceramics
www.davidroberts-ceramics.com
Debbie George
Sue Jenkins
Handmade stoneware pottery
Tel: 01484 689464
www.hand-built-pottery.co.uk
Painter
Tel: 01484 685315
www.debbiegeorge.co.uk
Helen Bray and Nigel Cappleman
Photographic portraiture
Tel: 01484 681978
www.hjbs.co.uk
Textile designer and felt maker
Tel: 01484 686642
www.feltconnection.co.uk
Wayne Markwort
Multimedia
Tel: 07816 221308
www.waynemarkwort.com
Rotcher Road > Hollowgate 16-17
Key arts events in the Holmfirth calendar:
May
Holmfirth Festival of Folk
June
Holmfirth Arts Festival
July
Holmfirth Art week
September
Holmfirth Food & Drink Festival
October
Holmfirth Music Festival
For up to date information about artists
and events in Holmfirth and the wider
Holme Valley see the web site:
www.holmfirthartandmusic.org.uk
Visitor Information
Find out what else there is to see and do in the local area with a visit to the tourist
information centre, where you can make accommodation bookings, theatre and
concert reservations, and pick up information on attractions and events.
Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre
Tel: 01484 222444
Email: [email protected]
www.pennineyorkshire.com
Countryside Unit
Tel: 01484 234076
Email: [email protected]
www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/leisure/countryside
Getting to Holmfirth
Public Transport
There is a regular bus service to Holmfirth, up to date information can be obtained
from West Yorkshire Metro: www.wymetro.com/BusTravel/bustimetables
Car Parking
Crown Lane Car Park, a large long-stay pay and display car park is situated
off Huddersfield Road in Holmfirth centre.
Design by Kirklees Council - Graphic Design Services
Photography by Steven Gillis/hd9 imaging and Claudia Berettoni
Key dates and general information 18-19
To see the spirit of Yorkshire and its moors
through your eyes is one thing; many people
look but only a few will see and feel its very soul.
Ashley Jackson 1970