Nancy and the lad in front of Clegg's house.
What you don't see on Summer Wine: the real side of the terrace. No side street here.
Last year, we took the Summer Wine Bus Tour, which we highly recommend. So we discovered Jackson Bridge, where a fair amount of the filming - at least of the series we like - is done. But we had no idea where it really was. So I bought the Ordinance Survey map for the area. And discovered that we could walk to Jackson Bridge from Holmfirth.
And then Bernard gave us a much more specific map to take us there. You know, a local cyclist is going to know the best way to get to all the best places. And, along the way, we met people who gave us tips for footpaths to cut of corners of the road or get a better walk.
The route is not really strenuous; most of it is on local roads, many with pavement (sidewalks to us Yanks). And there are footpaths along the way. We did this walk several times: our first and last full days, with a car visit in between.
Off to Victoria Square, up South Lane up to Cinderhills Lane, then up into Scholes. We met a woman heading for a bus. She was so pleasantly surprised that we were seeing more than Nora's, Sid's, and the other bits in the center of Holmfirth. That we loved the valley for the valley.
On our first trip, we stopped in Scholes at the little store and Post Office to get sustenance and ask directions. And got both. Down a road into Jackson Bridge. Great views off to the left, towards New Mill.
Armed with two maps and specific directions, we took a wrong turn. But it turned out to be such a right turn. We found ourselves at Howard and Pearl's front door. A young woman met us in front of Clegg's. Instead of being upset that we were wandering doewn a private road, she greeted us, introduced her children and dog, and told us all about the filming and how they manipulate our image of the area. Then we talked about living in the area. Sometimes it pays to get lost!
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Nancy and the lad in front of Clegg's house. |
What you don't see on Summer Wine: the real side of the terrace. No side street here. |
Our new friend showed us the permissive path (not public but allowed as long as people treat it properly) down to the White Horse. Especially in the Foggy Dewhurst period, this pub is frequented by the boys.
Me, in front of the pub, which was closed. Fortunately, the Red Lion, up the hill, was open. It had been a long walk. |
The White Horse below the terrace where Clegg, Howard, and Pearl live. The terraces are clearly weavers' homes. All those windows were for light for the looms. |
We did get our halves at the White Horse when we stopped at Jackson Bridge on our way back from Huddersfield and the Coal Mine Museum..
On our second walk, we wandered around on the other side - across from the terrace. And found a wonderful old cemetery. OK, I'm a tad odd. But I love old English cemeteries all overgrown with trees and weeds. If there's anything left of me when I go, that's what I'd like.
Chuck by an old grave. The tombs did seem to be empty. But we didn't look too closely. |
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Back down to the road to Hepworth, the walk then goes by the old mill, which now has lots of small businesses, and up to Hepworth. |
Hepworth is a nice little village with a small church and The Butcher's Arms, another pub that the boys frequent. It was closed on our first walk. But we got to enjoy our halves and meet some young lads preparing for a Duke of Edinborough camping trip.
Down beside the church,there's a lovely footpath through the woods, over the stream by the mill dam, and up into Scholes.
The path by the church. We were really going down. |
The back of Clegg, Howard, and Pearl's terrace. Not what you'd expect from the show. |
And sheep, of course, with a lovely feeder. |
A neat little "cottage" as the footpath enters Scholes. Yup, this is a private home. |
From Scholes, we walk to Totties. Along the way, there are two nurseries, places to buy plants, not places with little kids. One has some additions to the plants, worth a stop.
Black swans, along with other water fowl. |
A family of wallabys. Dad was off to the right, being shy. |
From there, we followed the road to Wooldale. But, thanks to folks we met along the way, we found the footpath that cut off a tricky curve and took us through a field and into the trees up to the Co-op. Where we found some good single malt and cheese. The first time, the Wooldale Arms wasn't open. The second time, it was. Of course, we stopped in then.
From Wooldale, the walk goes to Cliff Bank and down into Holmfirth. We figure the walk is at least 5 miles, maybe more with the side excursions. Not really strenuous, although the way up South and Cinders Lanes is definitely not flat. But the villages are lovely, and the views are wonderful. And you must chat with folk. Otherwise, why travel?
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