Outwood Common winter walk
Blow away the cobwebs with an exhilarating walk through statuesque woodland and across open farmland. See what the farmers are growing in their fields and discover an enchanting hidden pond.
Map
Start:
Outwood Common car park, grid ref: TQ326456
1
Starting at the Outwood Common car park, walk through the pedestrian gate at the end of the parking area, past the cricket pitch on your right.
Outwood Cricket Club
The Outwood Cricket Club was formed in 1889. During the Second World War the Canadian Army camped in the woods around the ground. They used the cricket pavilion as their Sergeants’ mess and the playing area for baseball.
2
Go past a dead tree that has had all its limbs removed, with only the trunk standing. Avoid the first turning on the left; instead continue around the edge of the pitch. As you reach the three-pronged fork in the path, keep to the middle. Continue in a straight line between the large oak trees and smaller (previously coppiced hornbeams). The path may be muddy at this point.
3
Head down towards lowest point, where there is a small crossing over a tiny stream. Continue to the top of the hill, bearing left at the fork.
4
The path will immediately start to dip down again (surrounded by bramble and holly). There's a ghyll to your left, down a slope. Keep along the top, until you see a path with steps, heading down to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and then carry on up the slope on the other side.
5
Turn right at the top of the hill and follow the path. Keep to the left hand main paths when you come across any forks in the route. You will pass some ash trees. At the end of the path (there's a field in front of you) turn left. Carry on around 200m, to the end of the path, then turn right.
6
After 30m, you'll see three cottages on your right. Head onto vehicle track (turn left). At the crossroads a few metres ahead, turn left. Just before main road, you'll see a church on the right. Take the small path, on the right, along the edge of the church. Carry on passing areas of laurel, hawthorn, holly and larger oaks, with bracken further along. You'll soon see some large veteran oak trees on your right. Carry straight on along path.
Veteran oak trees
Many of our ancient oaks are over 200 years old. See their majestic crowns and thick spreading branches. In a good year, a single oak can produce 90,000 acorns.
7
At end of path you’ll reach a public bridleway. Turn right, don't miss the secluded pond on your right. Carry on along bridleway, until you reach a track. Turn left, and walk along until you reach a small fork, with a gate into a field.
Outwood Common pond
Why not take a break and rest on the seat by our pond? See the beautiful yellow lilies in the summer and look out for wildlife - ducks, dragonflies and toads...
8
Go through the gate and follow the public footpath along the edge of field, to right. Walk through a narrow strip of trees to next field, over bridge in ghyll. Head up hill (¾ of the way along the next field's edge).
9
On the right is a path to fields (between two large oaks in the boundary hedge). Go right and carry on, with hedge line to your left. Pass through two fields, until you reach a stile.
Farmers' fields
Harewoods is largely agricultural land, let to tenant farmers. Stop to see what the farmers are growing in their fields...
10
Go over a stile, heading a short distance, until the path turns into a vehicle track, past cottages and National Trust yard on right. Just past the yard, take the path right into woods (between two large conifers).
11
Turn left after around 50m, when you reach a swathe of brambles in front of you. Once you reach an area where the ground starts dipping, walk down to a small footbridge over a small stream.
12
Head straight up the other side and continue until you reach the back of the cricket pavilion. Turn right and follow the edge of the pitch until you reach the path back to the car park.
End:
Outwood Common car park, grid ref: TQ326456
