Our favourite local walk – Coxley Woods

Coxley Woods … these woods have it all!! Trees, stream, duck pond, dens, wild garlic and lots of bluebells … a perfect outdoor adventure for the whole family!

Situated in the valley between Netherton and Middlestown, these woods stretch from Horbury Bridge up to New Hall HMP and are also known as Stoneycliffe Wood Nature Reserve which is managed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Essential Information

• Parking / Travel:
  • We normally park at the bottom of Coxley Lane (WF4 4PU) as there is a small car park (around 8-10 cars)
  • You can also park at the top of the lane leading down to Earnshaw’s Timber Merchants (WF4 4JG)
  • Catch the bus to Netherton and get off on Upper Lane by the Star Inn and Netherton Village Hall
• Buggy Friendly: No, there’s a couple of tight kissing gates so a sling or carrier would be the best option
• Entry Fee: None
• Toilets: None
• Other Info:
  • Paths can become very muddy after it has been wet
  • Take antibac spray and gel so the kids can play on the tree swings
  • There is a small cafe and art gallery (Coxley Engine House) which is open at weekends in the summer months next to the Coxley Lane Car Park (currently closed due to Coronavirus)

“Thank you so much for this recommendation it was absolutely perfect! We built dams, threw stones, splashed, swung on the swing, explored, sailed leaf boats and played hide & seek! We will definitely be back!” [RD, May 2020]

Red Circular route from Coxley Lane (approx 1 mile)

From the far end of the car park, go up a hill into the woods, remember to look down and you’ll see the large pond that used to feed the old mill with water! Just keep following this path into the woods until you see the path splitting and heading down into the valley. The path drops down (past a tree swing) towards the duck pond. There’s lots of ducks who all want to say hello and when we were there make a lot of noise! Head over the little bridge and through the horses field up a small hill. Just after the horses shelter turn right and walk along the top of the fields, up a gentle hill and along the footpath. The end of the footpath takes you back onto Coxley Lane and just turn right back into the car park!

Purple Longer Route from Coxley Lane or Earnshaw’s Timber Merchants (approx 3 miles)

Follow the short route above but when you get to the duck pond just keep following the stream up the valley! The stream is shallow enough in some places to paddle in and there’s stepping stones along the route too! For any geographers out there, there is a beautiful meander that I tried to tell Mini Mumbler about (think he’s a bit too young to get as excited as Mummy!). The path finally ends at a wrought iron fence marking the end of the Nature Reserve. Pop out through the kissing gate and walk up the hill. There are 2 more gates back into the woods and choose whichever one you wish. If you continue up the track you get to Earnshaw’s Timber Merchants. We chose the top path and along the route there were lots of dens that had been built which were perfect for Mini Mumbler to hide and play in! You’ll drop back down into the valley again either at the duck pond or on the stream. Continue back down the stream and follow the short route instructions from the duck pond bridge.

Credit: Vicky Smith-Swain

Credit: Rachael Goodman

Credit: Vicky Smith-Swain

If you’d like to recommend your local favourite walk please email me at wakefield@mumbler.co.uk