A Very Merry Walkshire Christmas

in Barnsley in Ilkley in Sheffield in South Yorkshire

Here at Welcome to Yorkshire, we have spent a year celebrating walking in Yorkshire. Inspired by the local community as we walked our way through lockdown, we decided to provide a Yorkshire walk a day for all 365 days of 2021.

To round off Walkshire, we have created this Christmas special. Television shows often feature clip shows as part of their Christmas episodes, highlighting some of the best bits of the season that came before. They may also feature letters from the viewers or a ‘mailbag’ segment as an ingenious way of padding out time. For today’s walk of the day, we have decided to do both!

Cow and Calf and Twelve Apostles Walk – Ilkley

One of my personal favourite walks, this route takes you up around the Cow and Calf and towards the Twelve Apostles. On your way up through Ilkley Moor (bar t’At) you will pass picturesque locations including streams, waterfalls and woods.

Barnsley Boundary Walk

This 73 mile loop is a superb route and incorporates a number of locations across South Yorkshire, including Cannon Hall and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

This short walk through Sheffield Botanical Gardens is perfect for a taste of nature within the city. The horticultural and botanical significance of the gardens is astounding as there are over 5,000 species of plant within.

Malham Cove

Malham Cove is a fantastic walk in the Yorkshire Dales, this route is a 4 mile walk incorporating Gordale Scar & Janet’s Foss. Along the way you will spot famous locations which have featured in films including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One and TV shows such as The Witcher.

Spurn Point

Yorkshire’s own Lands End is a 6 mile walk along the Spurn National Nature Reserve. The East Riding of Yorkshire walk is fascinating as there sections of it that are only 50 metres wide and you can see out to sea and back towards land.

The Walkshire Mailbag

Thank you to everyone who sent through their submissions to Yorkshire Christmas Walks, here are a few of the best!

Anglers Country Park and Haw Park Wood – Sue Billcliffe

Photo Credit to Sue Billcliffe

“A beautiful but easy 3 mile stroll around Anglers Country Park Lake, Wakefield surrounded by stunning scenery. There are plenty of birds to see too. Wrap up warm and enjoy! You can also take a longer walk into Haw Park Wood just a little further up from the park”

Coxwold Church to Newburgh Priory – Simon Scott

Photo Credit to Simon Scott

“A lovely gentle walk starting at the historic Church of St Michael in the picturesque village of Coxwold with its splendid tombs and impressive octagonal tower. Simply walk down the hill past the crossroads with its ancient spring constantly running, and walk on towards the gates of Newburgh Priory. On your way you can rest at a tranquil lake and see all sorts of wild birds. The perfect stroll after a Christmas lunch!

If you want a detour to extend the walk, then you can simply go up Colley Broach Road with Newburgh Priory to the South and views to the Kilburn White Horse to the North. Without the detour this is a gentle 3 mile walk there and back from Coxwold Church to Newburgh Priory on the edge of the North York Moors and the Hambleton Hills.”

The Wolds Rangers Way – Mark Blakeston

Photo from Shutterstock

“The Wolds Rangers Way is a challenging circular trail which winds its way 43 miles over the Yorkshire Wolds through amazing chalk landscapes with dry valleys with stunning wildlife alongside vibrant market towns and ancient Wolds villages. It also captures the unique history of the Wold Rangers and ensures that their names and stories live on forever.”

Newmillerdam – KT from the Loch

Photo from Shutterstock

“A lovely woodland walk around Newmillerdam, Wakefield, where you can see ducks, birds and squirrels. There is a fun trail for kids to get involved with. You can walk around the water or you can add bits of woodland trail to make it longer. If you start and finish at the car park you pass the lovely Boathouse near the end. This boathouse is perfect for a delicious hot chocolate or tasty treat, where dogs are welcome too.”

Hole of Horcum – Craig Nattress

Photo Credit – Craig Nattress

“Over Christmas take a seven mile ramble around the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors National Park, stopping off at The Horseshoe for a warming drink or meal in front of the open fire, or walk down to Dalby Forest and around the Bridestones. A winter warmer!”

Beningbrough River Walk – Emma Beaumont

Photo Credit – Sue Jordan, National Trust

“This easy to follow 3 and a half mile route in Hambleton is fully waymarked and gives a stunning tour of the parkland surrounding NT Beningbrough Hall allowing views of both the estate and the river. It is an enjoyable stroll for all the family over the Christmas period. The walk is suitable for children and dogs and provides a variety of scenery including the river, woodland and fields.”

Thank You & Useful Links

As a year of Walkshire draws to an end, thank you to all the people that have worked on Walkshire and all the contributors who helped with the creation of the content that led Walkshire to become award nominated.

For the Walkshire homepage click here.

Related Accommodation

The accommodation below is nearby - and has been updated recently.

City towers

S37ET, Sheffield, S3 7ET, United Kingdom

Hex Hotel at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park Hurst Lane, Doncaster, DN9 3HQ, United Kingdom

The Hayloft

Green Ln, Burley Woodhead, Ilkley LS29 7BA, UK

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