{"id":1004846,"date":"2022-02-03T18:46:35","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T18:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1004846"},"modified":"2022-11-04T15:48:06","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T15:48:06","slug":"holmfirth-cartworth-moor-and-dobb-a-great-doggie-walk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1004846","title":{"rendered":"Holmfirth, Cartworth Moor, and Dobb – A Great Doggie Walk!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was back in November that I first visited this area, and vowed to return. So, today I did. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a dull and misty day for the most part, just a little brightness at the end of the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holmfirth is 50 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is not long at 7.5 miles, but it is pretty strenuous with 1476 feet (450m) of ascent. It took 3 hours 15 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst there are some shortish sections through sheep pasture, and along minor roads, most is on walled tracks, forest paths and through wooded cloughs. It’s off the main touristy walking routes. I saw just a handful of people today, so dogs can safely run free most of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is easy roadside parking. I parked in Perseverance Place, a side road opposite the rather appetising looking “Catch” Seafood Restaurant! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Up The Hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My parking spot was on the bridge over the River Holme, of which, more later. But first a picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The route went directly up the hill, and within minutes there were great views across to the village of Holmfirth and down the Holme Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This picture shows why this was great for bringing your dog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A farm at Hill Top had an unusually friendly sheep!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And more great views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheep farming seemed to be the main activity, though these sheep were tired. A disused quarry made an excellent keep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fox Clough and Holme Styes Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reservoir came into view, but the sheep remained disinterested!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fox Clough was very pretty, and will be glorious in spring and summer. Sadly, the farm at its head is in dangerous disrepair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path continued to the base of the dam, and it was a steep climb back up. The climb was worthwhile as the reservoir is delightful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hades Clough and Forestry Operations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I took the left hand path up Hades Clough away from the reservoir. There had beeen much felling of trees here but the scene was brightened by these three black labradors. I was missing Rolo so stayed to chat to their owner and give the dogs a friendly stroke! Two were old, and he said he’d had to buy a puppy (now 9 months) as it would ease the pain of losing the two older ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moving on, I was delighted that the tree fellers had left a seat, so I stopped for an early lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A lovely view from here too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the end of the forest there’s a road… must be the top of the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But the contours on the map don’t lie and it’s a good few hundred yards up the road to the point where 436 is written on the map – the height in metres above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, though it’s a short distance away, Snailsden Reservoir isn’t visible from the route, though a short detour would have allowed a brief look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, it was downhill from here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down The Hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are tremendous views all around as I make my way down towards Dobb and Holmfirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The final drop took me through another pretty clough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I passed this handsome house at Dobb Dike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hinchliffe Mill and the River Holme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The information board recounts the flood of 1852. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At the head of the valley, the poorly constructed dam wall at Bilberry Reservoir failed and a torrent of water cascaded down the valley. In total 81 people were drowned, including 36 of the 44 residents who lived in Water Street at Hinchliffe Mill. Four mills, ten dyehouses and 27 cottages were destroyed and 280 other properties damaged.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And that was before climate change. How will the new development fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I imagine the cottages here were built after 1852, but it must be pretty scary here after heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This mill race runs alongside the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And then there’s a lovely mill pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finally, a gushing weir before the path leads back to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was a harder walk than I’d envisaged in the planning. Yet, it was very enjoyable, and I am sure there is much more to explore around this “Last Of The Summer Wine” village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sixty years of The Temptations. Original member Otis Williams is still going strong, and a new album Temptations 60 celebrates with new material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I Want It Right Now” doesn’t leave too much to the imagination! Soulful, sexy, reggae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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