Middleton Calvary, Ilkley

Directions to Middleton Calvary and Middleton Woods

1. Beginning on New Brook Street, cross the Bridge to the side furthest from the Town Centre and turn left, descending the steps to the riverside path. To your right is a football pitch. Proceed along the path which follows the river, keeping the river on your left. You will soon reach a wooden gate. Go through this, passing the old stone footbridge to your left. Straight ahead of you is the path which continues alongside the river bank. Here there are a few spots to get down to the river when it is low for a good old fashioned stone throwing sesh!

2. Continue along the path, keeping the river to your left. The path bends round to the right, keeping to the side of the river. Continue along here until the path eventually ends and exits upwards onto Common Holme Lane. You need to cross the road here.

3. Directly opposite you, is the road sign for Owler Park Road. This heads upwards and diagonally left. You need to walk along this road until you reach the property at the top (Signposted Austby). Owler Park Road at this point bends round to the right, but you will see a gap in the wall near the left hand gatepost of the property and a public footpath sign. You need to head down this path, which will take you through (sometimes muddy) woodland. Here you will experience your first array of bluebells (if walking in late April/ May).

4. At the point where the path opens out into fields, you will see a waymarked stile. Climb this and continue along the path through the field. Don’t be tempted to veer right, the path is more or less straight on. You will see a large tree with a faded waymarker on it, use that to locate the path which will then turn right along the perimeter of the field. Follow it, cross the stream and after a little climb, you will see another stile in the fence. Cross this, and the little wooden bridge which appears immediately after it, and up into another field. You will see Low Austby farm buildings on your left. As you reach the boundary of the field, turn sharply right at a right angle and head up hill towards another waymarked stile. Ahead of you at this point will be the stunning property at High Austby. Cross the next field and head upwards to the five bar gate, heading in the rough direction of the property ahead.

5. Go through the gate and follow the grassy path upwards and to the right until you see another stone stile. Cross this, and walk along the tarmacked access track to the properties there. Then turn at a sharp right angle and keep walking along the very quiet access road. Here, are stunning views to your right down the valley and towards Ilkley and Addingham High Moor.

6. Soon the access road will turn away to the right. You need to keep walking straight ahead along the clearly marked bridleway. Follow this all the way along, passing properties on your right.

7. In just less than 1km, you will see the gate to The Calvary appear on your left. It is wooden, and is surrounded by some wooden fencing. There is no signpost on it, but you will be able to see the Calvary from the path. At this point, take a detour to soak up the atmosphere and find out more about this beautiful place.

8. Upon exiting the Calvary, turn left and very quickly you’ll see a gate and footpath through enclosed woodland to your right. Take this, it will lead you straight on and leftwards diagonally through the tall trees.

9. At the far end of the enclosure is another gate. Exit the woodland here, and turn left until you reach a metal gate, with cottages directly opposite. Go through the gate, cross the narrow lane, and walk on the track between the two cottages directly ahead of you.

10. You will eventually descend to the top of Langbar Road. Cross here and take the road directly ahead of you (and slightly offset to the left). Pass the property named The Hollies on your right, and in the field next door, you will find a clearly marked footpath which will take you down, diagonally leftwards towards the top end of Middleton Woods. Enter the woods over a stile, and then the world is your oyster! There are so many tracks leading through the woods, it is impossible to map them all, but stick largely left and straight on, and you will exit the woods at the top exit.

11. Directly opposite on the other side of Curly Hill (the road dividing Middleton Woods) is the entrance into the lower section of Middleton Woods. Take this, and then descend the wooden steps that mark the top of the path into the woods. This part of the woods is also a rabbit warren of paths, but aim largely downwards and straight on, and you should eventually exit at the bottom at Denton Road, making sure to take full advantage of the stick dens you find along the way!

12. At the lower exit, cross the road (this road can be busy), turn right along the pavement, and keep walking round until you see the footpath sign sending you down onto the path next to the river. Here you can get down to the river banks for a splash and a paddle at several spots along your return to the bridge (take care to check weather conditions and water depths). After you have splashed to your heart’s content, keep following the main track that follows the river back to New Brook Street where you began!

Last Walked May 2022