Lockwood Trail

Lockwood is a former township, which was originally called North Crosland and was part of the Crosland family estate. During the Industrial Revolution, several large mills were built in the town (some of which have survived) and first the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and later the railway were built through it. Today, it is a suburb of Huddersfield, but retains much of its industrial heritage and boasts a rather splendid public park.

Lockwood Trail Google Map

Like most of the stations between Penistone and Huddersfield, Lockwood Railway Station opened in 1850 and became a single platform station in 1989, although the disused second platform is still visible on the opposite side of the track. Leave the station via the steps leading down from the platform and at the bottom turn left along Swan Lane, immediately passing under the railway track. Follow the lane, shortly passing the Swan Inn on the left; the building next to it is the former Lockwood Town Hall. This Grade II-listed building was designed in the Italianate style and opened in 1866; it became redundant when the township of Lockwood was merged with that of Huddersfield and is now used as an ice cream factory. Turn right along Devonshire Street, then take the next left turn to reach Haigh Street. Turn left at the end and follow this to Neale Road, looking out for the Shoulder of Mutton on the left. At the end of Neale Road, turn left along Meltham Road, which immediately ends at a busy crossroads; cross Meltham Road and then Bridge Street via the Pelican crossings, then proceed straight ahead along Lockwood Road.

Follow Lockwood Road, looking out for Lockwood Baptist Chapel on the left. The first of three Grade II-listed churches on the walk, this was built in 1850. A short distance further on, pass first the Woolpack (a now closed public house that retains its sign), just past which the former Excelda Cinema can be seen, both on the left. The Excelda opened in 1915 as the Lockwood Picture Palace, and had changed its name by 1931; it closed in 1960 and is now used as a commercial premises. Take the next right turn to reach Albert Street and turn left. At the crossroads with Bath Street, look right to see the former Lockwood Baths, which opened in the mid-nineteenth century and are now used as a used tyre shop. Continue along Albert Street until Albert Mills appears on the right, a Grade II-listed mill dating from 1854. Turn left along Summer Street to return to Lockwood Road, then turn right.

Almost immediately, cross the road and turn left along St Stephens Road, following this until it ends at Victoria Road. On the corner where the two roads meet, the currently disused and derelict Church of St. Stephen can be seen; dating from 1864, this is the second Grade II-listed church on the walk, and is currently awaiting redevelopment. Turn right along Victoria Road and follow it as it loops right, becomes Victoria Street, and ends at Lockwood Road. Turn left, then cross the road with care and turn right along Logwood Street, passing the Victoria public house on the corner. Turn left along Albert Street, passing the Star Inn on the right, and follow it back to Lockwood Road. Turn right and follow the road, which now becomes Folly Hall. Just before crossing a bridge over the River Colne, the huge Folly Hall Mill can be seen on the left. This is Grade II*-listed and was built in the early nineteenth century.

Folly Hall Mill.

Cross the bridge and then take the next left turn to gain the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. This canal runs for almost 20 miles to its junction with the Ashton Canal, and was authorised by an Act of 1793. Completed by 1811, it closed in 1944 and became derelict; it was fully restored between 1981 and 2001 thanks to a Herculean effort by the Huddersfield Canal Society. We will see a great deal more of the canal on some of the other walks still to come in Kirklees. Proceed along the towpath, passing Sellers Lock No. 3E. Shortly, the canal reaches Longroyd Bridge No. 25, immediately after which Longroyd Lock No. 4E is located. Continue past this, soon after which the canal passes under Springwood Railway Bridge No. 26, then bends sharp left to reach Paddock Foot Lock No. 5E. It immediately crosses Paddock Foot Aqueduct No. 28, which carries the canal over the River Coyne, then bends right, next reaching Birkhouse Lane Bridge No. 29. On reaching the next bridge (Mark Bottom Bridge No. 30), pass under the bridge, then turn sharp left and climb a ramp to Stoney Battery Road. Follow this to Manchester Road, then turn left.

Follow Manchester Road for a short distance, then turn sharp right along Blackmoorfoot Road. Take the next left turn along Pear Street and follow it to Crosland Street, then turn left. Follow this as it turns right and becomes first Cross Street then Row Street, then follow Row Street as it bends right and shortly becomes Lightcliffe Road. Continue straight ahead, eventually reaching a crossroads. Continue straight ahead, now on Everard Street, until the street ends at Nabcroft Lane. Turn left and follow this, then bear right along Sunningdale Road, passing the site of the former Crosland Moor Workhouse (later St. Luke’s Hospital and now a new housing estate) on the right. When the road turns right, continue to follow it until it ends, then continue straight ahead along a footpath, eventually reaching Dryclough Road. Follow this, soon passing the Eden Centre on the left (originally the Walpole Hotel and later the Crosland by the time it closed in 2011), until the road finally ends at Beaumont Park Road. Cross straight ahead to enter Beaumont Park.

Beaumont Park opened in 1883 on land gifted to the people of Huddersfield by Henry Frederick Beaumont in 1879. After falling into decline, it is has been actively cared for by the Friends of Beaumont Park since 1998; the Lodge is Grade II-listed.

Beaumont Park.

Turn right and follow the path through the park (passing the Lodge on the right), looking out for impressive views of the Holme Valley on the left. On reaching the bandstand (opened in 2011 on the site of the long-demolished original), turn left and follow a path downhill through trees, eventually leaving the park on Butternab Road. Turn left, then sharp left along a signed footpath that leads downhill to Lockwood Cemetery. Follow the main drive through the cemetery, eventually bearing right at a fork to exit on Meltham Road.

Turn left and follow this, eventually passing through one of the arches of Lockwood Railway Viaduct. This has thirty-six arches, was built between 1846 and 1848 and is now Grade II-listed. Soon after this, turn left along Bentley Street, passing the former Lockwood Methodist Church (now a mosque) on the right; the third and final Grade II-listed church on the walk, this dates from 1864. At the crossroads with Howarth Lane, turn left as it becomes a track and follow this under a railway bridge, then turn right (still on Howarth Lane) to reach Swan Lane. Finally, cross this to return to the railway station.

From Lockwood, we are now only a couple of minutes away from our last stop on the Penistone Line, which is the town of Huddersfield.