This walk took us from the Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre at Angler's Country Park four miles south of Wakefield to Nostell Priory and back. Angler's Country Park is a site for wild fowl including swans, geese and grebe. Formerly the site of a monastery, Nostell Priory is an 18th-century treasure house situated just 5 miles. Leaving the visitor centre the walk went to the Lakeside taking the right hand path going round the lake. At the top end of the Lake we exited to reach a lane which took us to a road. (It was at the end of the lane that Avril and Jonathan had had to help a farmer retrieve an escaped sheep the day before when reconnoitring the walk). Crossing the road and taking a path on the left hand side of the field took us to the reclaimed area that had been open cast mining. We walked this for approximately two miles through open grass/moorlands, under the trainline past ponds and woodland until we came to four lane crossing (our name, not actual).
We carried straight on skirting round behind the Brick Works, through the woods and above the fishing lake, we carefully crossed Doncaster Road. We entered Nostell Priory parkland 50 yards along the roadside and walked down towards the Mansion house where there were benches at the front waiting for us. |
Here we participated in Christmas cheer in the salubrious surroundings that befitted the status of our new walking group – mulled wine, coffee, mince pies, chocolate log and a nip of whisky for those that required an inner glow. Joan and Phil brought a silver blanket to sit on and we drank good will and peace to all! However this was only half way through the walk and we had to continue down through the parkland, round the bottom lake and up the road from the chalet site emerging past Nostell Priory Roses Plants Centre. After a short walk along Doncaster Road we crossed and took a footpath that returned us to the reclaimed area again. We passed yet another lake with resident ducks then decided to retrace some of the outward walk rather than through Crofton so that Billy did not need to be on the lead. When we came back to Anglers Country Park we returned to the cars by walking down the right hand side of the lake. To complete the day we partook of food and liquid refreshment at The Rustic Arms. And so a small but stalwart assemblage of Darringtonites initiated The Spreadeagle walking group.
Written by Avril http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/Anglers/waterton http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nostell-priory/ |
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