Easter Monday turns out to be a glorious day, which is why the weather forecasters suggested dark clouds for the duration and I'm dressed in anticipation of wintery conditions as I continue my quest to visit every railway station in West Yorkshire as I disembark at Pontefract Tanshelf station at 9.50am. North, and around the perimeter of Pontefract colliery we head, once again, seeing how redevelopment is starting to nibble on the site, moving onto Skinner Lane, crossing the railway line into Monkhill and seeing new roads have been cut across the spoil tip, following on the perimeter fence next to the housing estate of at least three vintages, before following the bridleway that hugs the site edge, evidence of a much older route consumed by industry. This surprise greenery leads up Ridgeley hill and then sharply down to Spittal Hardwick Lane, which leads under the M62, soon branching off on the bridleway to Fairy Hill Farm, and on into the bottom end of the Townville estate, on the eastern edge of Castleford. Urban walking continues beyond Sheepwalk Lane, through the Fryston Estate, mostly along Kendal Drive and Watling Road, confirming my belief that anywhere can look good in nice weather, but not finding any suggestion of whether Fryston Park is accessible or not. Paths lead me out into the fields and next to the Castleford - Burton Salmon line, dropping down to the side of the River Aire, and then ascending the steps that are bolted to the side of the railway viaduct, once having provided access to the various collieries for Castleford's miners. From the north bank, we are momentarily on familiar territory before heading on up the path between the lakes of Fairburn Ings nature reserve, passing on into the village, and soon out again through Caudle Hill wood to be greeted with a fantastic view the whole way across West Yorkshire, all the way to Emley Moor, Holme Moss and the Calderdale fringe, a wholly unexpected viewpoint at only 40m elevation.
The low ridge walk continues north for while before dropping down through the edge of Wormstall wood and shadowing the beckside to emerge on Holy Rood Lane, and into the village of Ledsham, another improbably gorgeous village with the ancient All Saints church at it heart, and bevvy in the Chequers Inn would be most welcome on a hot day like this. Pass eastwards along Claypit Lane, avoiding the bank holiday motorcyclists and enjoying the rural views before we start a field walk in the direction of Ledston, gaining views of the many flooded pits north of the River Aire and an excellent presentation of 17th century Ledston Hall and stables, lurking beyond the fields filled with many horses. Descend into the village, which is oddly contemporary compared to its partner (surely both containing the same root words that named Leeds?), thence it's onwards out along the Green Lane bridleway, towards the Roman Ridge Road, pacing its side north for a distance before striking off on the rising footpath to Longdike Lane. This leads into Kippax, neatly striking another village off the list, and I make for the highest point where All Saints church and the 11th century motte are located, another fine pair of buildings but presenting a view that is surprisingly hard to resolve as the heat haze thickens. There's also quite a lot of this village, almost enough to call it a town, and my route north cuts downhill along East View terrace and across the allotments before taking a passage through many cul de sacs and alleyways tracing a route which existed before the 1980s blanketed the fields with houses. On through Shuttocks Wood, and uphill to Garforth cliff, where Selby Road is met and crossed, passing onto another Green Lane, right next to where a garden centre has recently been demolished (but the outdoor goods store endures!). This leads me down to the suburban east edge of Garforth, and Ribblesdale Avenue and Fairburn Drive lead me directly to East Garforth station, another one to check off the list and a blank space on the map is filled again as I conclude the day at 2.40pm.
5,000 Miles Cumulative Total: 1552.3 miles
2015 Cumulative Total: 150.1 miles
Up Country Total: 1425.9 miles
Solo Total: 1325.3 miles
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| Pontefract Colliery (former). I'd venture that in a few years from now there will be little evidence that coal mining ever took place on this site. |
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| Ridgely Hill. Even in a rare green space like this, the soil is stained black and Ferrybridge Power station looms ominously. |
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| Thornville Estate, Castleford. |
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| Fryston Estate, Castleford. |
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| Aire Viaduct, the NER bridge is as sturdy as they come, the footbridge is not for the faint of heart. |
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| Fairburn Ings, coal mine to nature reserve within a generation. |
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| Caudle Hill viewpoint. Hello to the high lands of Kirklees, didn't think we'd be seeing you out here! |
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| Ledsham. Picturesqueness comes as standard. |
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| Dodging traffic on Claypit Lane. |
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| Ledston Hall and stables. Unbelievably, the 17th century hall is presently on the 'buildings at risk' register and in need of buyer. |
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| Kippax Motte and All Saints Church. Not much more than grassy mound, but once home to the powerful de Lacey family, later custodians at Barwick and Pontefract. |
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| East Garforth, and hello to 80s suburbia. |
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