Walton Nature Park to Hemsworth Water Park via Nostell

Please not that there is a £1 charge per rider, which covers our fees to Meetup.

This is a clockwise ride, taking us from Walton Colliery Nature Park, through the Nostell estate and Ackworth, round Fitzwilliam Country Park, and hence to the lunch stop at Hemsworth Water Park.

From there the ride takes us through Havercroft, Anglers Country Park, Haw Park Woods, and along the old Barnsley canal back to the starting point. The route uses a mixture of bridleways, abandoned railway lines and other trails, plus some quiet roads.

Lunch: We will stop for lunch at Hemsworth Water Park. Food and drinks are available in the main café and the smaller one, or you can bring your own snap.

Post ride refreshment: Available at the New Inn, Walton.

Meet at: Walton Colliery Nature Park, B6378 Shay Lane, Walton - between Walton & Crofton. Nearest postcode is WF2 6PR which is the other side of the railway viaduct to the car park. Please note that there are no facilities here other than the car park itself, which is free.

What3Words: https://what3words.com/dining.headlight.ships

Time: 10:15 for departure around 10:30.

Technical difficulty: BLUE (Moderate), nothing particularly technical but you may need some confidence riding on wet slippery surfaces if there has been a lot of recent rain.

Physical difficulty: BLUE (Moderate), a variety of surfaces, some of them very good but some may be muddy if it's been raining. The route is relatively flat and there are no severe climbs - only about 1,400ft total (aggregate) ascent.

Distance: 25 miles.

Estimated Duration: 4½ hours (including stops).

Suitable For: Mountain bikes & Gravel bikes with trail tyres.

Recommendations: Spare Tube, Tools, Pump, Packed Lunch (optional), Emergency Snacks, Water.

Safety: No Helmet = No Ride!