Sandal Castle walk (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Sandal Castle walk

11:45am Tuesday 25th January 2011

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As I prepare to stroll through 2011 I have had to battle with both with weather and history.

I have always loved walking through history and this route takes us through an area over which a battle was fought in 1460.

The date was December 30 and the conflict took place in freezing weather with snow falling.

The walk takes us along the ramparts of Sandal castle and there are clear views of this ancient battlefields.

Shakspeare mentions the castle in his play Henry VI part 3, which describes the death of the Duke of York beneath the castle walls.

1. There is a car park, pay and display at Sandal Castle. There is an information centre (01924 370211) and light refreshments are available but there are also seats in sheltered places which are ideal for picnics.

Apart from the Battle of Wakefield, the castle was in the thick of the civil wars of the 1640s, Cromwell ordered the “slighting” — or destruction — of Sandal following his victory but in recent years the castle has been restored.

Pass through a gate and follow an obvious footpath. Descend steeply and pass through a housing estate to an obviously signed bridge over a feeder canal leading to the River Calder.

2. Cross this footbridge and turn sharply left. Here is the actual site of the Battle of Wakefield and during my visit it was snowing and as cold as on the day of the scrap.

Visibility was becoming worse despite the very favourable weather forecast.

This was a real contrast from the day of my last visit, which was in the summer of 2006.

3. To the right is an extensive lake which is an integral part of Pugney’s Country Park.

The park has been developed from the flashes created as a result of a century of extensive coal mining.

The subsidences have now flooded and provide an excellent birdwatching site, especially in winter. My list of sightings included pochard, tufted duck, Canada goose, mute swan and great crested grebe.

4. Pass close to a miniature railway, much loved by children of all ages, and the track sweeps away to the right. Pass through an extensive car park.

5. Pass a smaller flash on the left and the route continues to sweep to the left towards a meander of the River Calder.

There are lots of Calders and this is not surprising since the name just means a fast moving cold river. On the day of my latest visit the word cold was very much an understatement.

A right turn leads to the bridge over the feeder canal mentioned in point 2. Cross this and bear right through the houses to reach the field path and return to the Sandal Castle car park.

A circular route is well marked around the castle and there are information boards which provide lots of details.

From the battlements there are fine views over to Wakefield. Clearly visible is the 247 foot high cathedral spire which is the tallest in Yorkshire.

How To Get There

Situated close to Wakefield, Sandal Castle is reached from the A61, then by following a series of narrow roads.

The castle, however, is well signed. From East Lancashire it takes about two hours and so this walk needs to be planned and a clear day chosen.

Map Reference: OS Explorer 278
Grid Reference: 337 182
Distance of Walk: 3½ miles