Time: Allow 45 minutes
Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) / 2 miles (3.2 km)
Difficulty: Moderately easy, circular route on well-maintained paths and roadside pavements. It may be slippery in parts during wet weather. The walk can be completed in either direction.
Note: Residents of Ryhill and Havercroft can start the walk at Brier Lane.

Parking

Limited parking is available at the car park beside Felkirk Church, next to the graveyard.

Route Overview

1. Start at the Church Lych Gate

   Begin at the Lych Gate, bear right, then left at the green space, and continue into High Well Hill Lane

2. Walk along High Well Hill Lane

   Continue walking uphill along the roadside pavement. On your right-hand side, you’ll pass Hodroyd Hall, then follow the road past Hodroyd Farm, Felkirk School, Hostel House, and School House until you reach the junction with Brier Lane.

3. Cross the Road to Westoff Lane

   Cross Brier Lane and continue straight up a short hill to Westoff Lane. This lane is the former site of Monkton Colliery, which closed in the 1960s.

4. Turn Left on Westoff Lane

   Turn left on Westoff Lane. Walk a short distance and continue straight ahead where the road turns right. Walk across a level field and follow a narrow path between two houses leading to Henry Avenue. Turn left and follow the avenue to the bottom.

5. Follow Briar Lane and Look for Colliery Tramway

   Turn left onto Briar Lane. Walk 250 metres, and on the right, you’ll see two wooden posts with a handrail—this is the entrance to the old colliery tramway, now a footpath.

6. Descend to the Footpath

   Take the steps down to the narrow green footpath, which runs between trees and a grassy bank. As the path opens, you’ll see Hodroyd Hall in the distance across the pasture. This is the site of the Medieval Village of Hodroyd Felkirk.

7. Cross the Dearne Valley Railway Footpath

   The path will take a sharp right turn, leading you over a bridge spanning the old track of the Dearne Valley Railway. This is now a footpath.

8. Walk Down to the Railway Path

   After crossing the bridge, turn sharply right and descend to the railway path. Continue straight towards Felkirk Church.

9. Return to the Church

   After approximately 200 metres, take the right-hand track uphill to reach the road at the railway bridge. Turn right and follow the road back to the Lych Gate.

Additional Notes:

• Weather Considerations: The footpaths can be slippery during or after wet weather, so be cautious when walking through shaded or grassy areas.
• Alternative Start Points: If starting from Brier Lane, reverse the direction of the walk.

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