Download file for GPS

Walk Summary: Easy 4.7 mile circular walk around Slaithwaite along Merrydale.
Start: Rose & Crown pub at Cop Hill
Locality: Cop Hill
Area: West
Start OS Grid reference: SE0602813827
Start What3words: fuse.novelists.misty
Difficulty: Easy
Distance miles: 4.7
Ascent meters: 205
Estimated Walk Time hours: 2.6
Pub & Locality: Rose & Crown pub at Cop Hill PUB CLOSED
Parking: Pub Carpark
Public Transport: Buses between Holmfirth and Huddersfield every 20 minutes. 310 314 316, then Stotts bus 181 to Wilberlee or 185 to Marsden, with 30+ min uphill walk to pub. Journey time circa 2 hours. Check bus times.
Walk Description:  On leaving the Rose and Crown, turn right, down Scout Lane.  At the crossroads, note ahead and a little to the right, a footpath through trees leading to a building (Cop). Pass the building to the right and continue down a field path to New Close. Follow lane to the right, round the building and locate the on going footpath in the right hand corner of the garden area facing. Follow path down, turning right as it continues alongside a wall until an awkward stile is reached and the path comes to a sunken lane. Follow lane down to woods where it turns left, initially keeping to the edge of woodland, then entering the wood and turning sharply right to cross a footbridge. This is now the start of the path down Merry Dale and this pleasant meander leads eventually to the tarmacked North Lane. Turn left to pass Clough House and after 150m bear right down a lane towards a pond at which point take a path ahead, down the valley. This well used path leads down past the Slaithwaite reservoir, passing it on its north side. On reaching the dam, turn right and cross it to reach a road which is followed to the left, down Nabbs Lane, under the railway viaduct and into Slaithwaite.  As the river and canal (1) are approached, either take the first entry to the towpath on the right, or if the delights of the village of Slaithwaite (2) are tempting, proceed a liitle further and take the road bridge, where shops abound. In the unlikely event that the shops and hosteleries have failed to excite, the towpath and landing lead past the Hand Made Bakery, which is sure to satisfy. Hopefully now satisfied and replete, continue to trudge westward along the towpath until after Lock 30 and the buildings of Booth are noted on the opposite side of the canal. Cross at Booth’s Bridge and continue up Kettle Lane, under the railway to a junction. Turn left into Crow Trees Road and follow very steeply up past Slaithwaite Hall along Marsden Lane, eventually to reach the Rose and Crown pub.
Other comments and points of interest: (1) The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is a remarkable undertaking, involving crossing the Pennines by a long tunnel (not seen on this walk) and numerous locks. It was opened in 1811 and after a troubled history, closed in 1944. Restoration started in 1981 and completed in 2001 after ,assive MIllenium funding. It now provides a welcome recreational resource but has only limited use for navigation, being difficult to maintain and always having had an inadequate water supply.
(2) Slaithwaite has earned a reputation for producing fine fabrics, predominantly wool but also cotton and silk weaving. Although now on a smaller scale and together with many other activities, fine fabrics are still being produced, notably from English wool, naturally dyed.

Please include the walk name or number when commenting on an individual walk.