Public Footpath 125: Brow Woods Via Royds Hall Great Wood To Horse Close Bridge ( Lower Path close to Royds Hall Beck)

Entry from Meadway GRID SE 13802 28602. This path is effectively the main path through Royds Hall Great Wood . It Can be accessed from eith the Halifax Road end by entering the Woodside Estate on Meadway where Brow Woods will become apparent. It can also be accessed around the corner from Ullswater Drive but the main route in would be on the Brow Woods Side at Meadway

However you may commence from the other side of the woods to get here from Huddersfiield Road by turning fior Norwood Green along Station Road where Low Wood becomes apparent

Route

 

The entrance at Meadway GRID SE 13802 28602 near the substation in front of brow Woods Bearing left will take you through Brow Woods and onto FP129 along the hill top to Royds Hall Farm

 

 

Follow the path round to the right and it will take you accross a field and past the Ullswater entrance style where in front of you will be the beginging of Royds Hall Great Wood

 

 

 

The path passes the Ulswater entry on the right as you enter Royds Hall Great Wood.

 

 

 

 

Entrance to Royds Hall Great Wood the top pathborders the firld margin which can be seen to the left as you walk through the trees

 

 

 

Same view looking out of Woodland if travelling from Station Road Woodside Estate ahead

The path is leading toward you extends for about a Km or so through the oak and Beeches till it forks at FP126

 

 

 

At GRID SE 13677 27947 the FP125 diverges and takes to the lower part of Valley FP 126 bears left along the top field Margin, On the Grassy Knoll there is some large logsand a Pole Indicating the Route Down to the side of the Beck.

 

 

 

The best indicators as to where this is is to watch where the Pylons cross the Wood as this spot is aprox 20 m just before this and is where FP126 diverges off from FP125

 

 

 

 

 

 

A steep flight of wooden steps is located close to the approach to Hores Close Bridge on FP126 they are a fairly steep climb but once at the top it is a fairly level run over to Woodside if coming from the Station Road side accross Low Wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

The steps lead onto a crude wooden crossing leading to Judy Bridge along the fence line indicated .At this point looking out from the picture FP 125 emerges alongside Royds Hall Beck on the Left (looking out from the picture )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judy Bridge today viewd from the Royds Hall Wood Side. The river - Royds Hall Beck is the boundary between Calderdale and Bradford MDC . Turning left to the bridge from this side takes you on to High Fernely Lane or Right onward to Norwood Green via Sowden Lane

 

 

 

Wildlife

Royds Hall Beck is currently an NE9 site SEGI ( Site of Geological Interest) and is the County Boundary between Calderdale and Bradford MDC. The Ropyds Hall Great Wood takes you through some very impressive Beech Stands and Oaks . The remnants of a Plantation can be ascertained but is now many years old. The Oak Canopy provides a very impressive habitat for insects such as wasps which can be heard hummingh ovehead on a summers day. The beeches in Autumn provide ample Beech mast for the Squirrels and Numerous fungi are to be found on the woodland floor and on dead and decaying wood .

 

Safety

The 400 KeV National Grid Pylons Cross these woods overhead . Therefore we would CAUTION anyone with a Pacemaker not to use these routes . The lower path is in a steep sided valley and there may be no signal. The path undulates over steep and harsh terrrain and is usually wet and slippery . The Lower section of FP125 is difficult and would advise with caution

Terrain may range from dry and hard in summer to wet and muddy in winter . Watch ot for tree roots and steep embankemnts