Penistone Line

The beautiful Penistone Line stretches from the historic West Yorkshire textile town to the city of steel. Find out what’s on in Huddersfield and discover hidden Sheffield.

Lockwood Viaduct | Photo: Copyright (c) Nick James

Did you know The Penistone Line is one of the earliest railway lines in Britain, originally opened 1 July 1850 in the Kirklees area. Enjoy scenic views from 3 major viaducts as you travel through pretty rural villages known for their textile and weaving history. Towns with rich coal-mining, glass-making, and textile roots showcase their heritage with excellent museums, and modernised shopping attractions, such as the Glassworks in Barnsley a 2- minute walk from Barnsley Interchange. Sheffield is greener than you may realise. With around 4.5 million trees across the city, Sheffield’s tree population far outstrips its human one of just more than 550,000, with more trees per person than any other city in Europe.

Leave the train at Elsecar and explore the village, park and lake. Unlike many other villages in the area, Elsecar was built by colliery owners to house their workers. Elsecar Heritage Centre, is on the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) which is a tourist path of the most important Industrial Heritage sites in Europe.

Scenic views

Throughout your journey you will be treated to views of stone-built Yorkshire villages and lush rolling countryside. Look out below as you travel over Victorian viaducts across the full length of the route.

Oxspring Viaduct | Photo: Jerzy Czyzewski

Penistone Line Partnership, the community rail organisation supporting the line, ran a viaduct competition, winning images are showcased showing scenes from Lockwood (Nick James), Denby Dale (Paula Greenwood), Penistone (Paul Cartright), and Oxspring (Jerzy Czyzewski.)

Runners-up in the photo competition.

Castle Hill with Jubilee Tower more commonly known as the Victoria Tower, opened in 1899. It is the most prominent landmark in the Huddersfield area. Further along the line near Shepley and Denby Dale you will see the unmissable Emley Moor mast. It is made up of a 1,047 ft (319 m) concrete tower. It is protected under UK law as a Grade II listed building, and is the tallest freestanding structure in the UK. Emley Village Trail 3 mile walk is a must!

Penistone Viaduct | Photo: Paul Cartright

Walking

Penistone Line Partnership have volunteer guided walks fortnightly on a Saturday, where you are enouraged to ‘Take the Train for a Walk’ from a station on the Penistone Line, or in neighbouring areas of North Nottinghamshire, and Lincolnshire. Check PLP’s calendar of events. Walkers are Welcome Denby Dale have produced 16 walking trails starting from stations on the Penistone Line. Take the circular walking trail found at Berry Brow Station up to Castle Hill for panoramic views. If you have chance on the way up, take a peak at Stirley Community Farm (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust). They’re a hit for food training and conservation with young people.

Explore further on foot and discover stunning countryside up close. Whether you’re looking for guided walks with groups of like-minded walkers or if you plan to go it alone, you’ll see the Penistone Line provide the ideal backdrop for an outdoor adventure. Find walks and trails from stations here. Alternatively go all out and begin the Penistone Line Trail, a long-distance walking route combining all 17 stations from along the route.

Denby Dale Viaduct | Paula Greenwood

Seen on TV

Last of the Summer Wine first appeared on TV in 1973 with 31 Seasons. The characters are very much alive around Holmfirth which is a 1.5 – 2 mile walk from Brockholes Station (depending which route you take.) There is a museum and gift shop dedicated to the sitcom. Stay in Nora Batty’s cottage, or visit the Wrinkled Stocking or Sid’s Café both well known filming locations, amongst other attractions. Jamaica Inn 2014 – 2015 Mini Series was filmed at Crow Edge, Penistone (The Inn) and other Barnsley locations.

Outdoors & nature

The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is an exciting route for walkers, cyclists, wheelers and horse riders linking the North and Irish seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England. The TPT is accessible for cyclists via Stocksmoor Station from Station Road and then Shepley Road on Cyclist route 627. Head on to Mill House Green and then east on the Trans Pennine Trail to Penistone. Access to the trail from the following Penistone Line stations in South Yorkshire. Penistone, Silkstone Common, Barnsley, Wombwell, Elsecar, Chapeltown via Charlton Brook, Meadowhall, Sheffield (via Manor Lane a 1.5 mile walk).

Board the train at Huddersfield, Lockwood, or Berry Brow and travel a few stops into the Holme Valley. Stations at Honley and Brockholes are in this stunning area with cobbled streets and rich heritage. Take a walk surrounded by nature and industrial heritage at Magdale fields and woodland nature reserve, Honley. Nearer to Huddersfield, explore Beaumont Park, a magnificent park with ornate features, cascades, grottos, steep cliffs and picturesque woodland walks for all the family, nearest station Lockwood.

Family fun

Enjoy a family day out by train and take the greener route. With Penistone Line’s 50 things to do before you’re 5, you’ll see there’s plenty of fun to be had along the route. Download the activity leaflet here.

Step free

Locally, Environmental Projects in Kirklees (EPIKS) have an Active Travel Hub in Holmfirth. Learn about E-bikes, Green Routes, and walking on their Active Travel page.

Find out how the Passenger Assistance app and website can help you access rail throughout Britain. Northern is the train operator on the Penistone Line. Take a look at their latest improvements and innovation on accessible rail travel.

Step free access is available at the following stations on the Penistone Line: Huddersfield, Lockwood, Berry Brow, Brockholes, Stocksmoor, Denby Dale, Penistone, Silkstone Common, Dodworth, Wombwell, Elsecar, Barnsley Interchange, Meadowhall, and Sheffield.

Please note there is no step free access to and from Honley station and only step free access on Platform 2 at Shepley Station.