Shipley Glen & Eldwick

Shipley Glen

My Sunday walk took me along the top of Shipley Glen. Showing on the map as the green treeline on the western edge of Baildon Moor.

Early last century, Shipley Glen was regarded as something of a tourist spot. In fact, I once spotted it on a street in Portsmouth where all the houses were named after UK resorts. Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly where that was. Anyway, the attractions included cafés, rides, slot machines, etc. Most of which continued during my childhood. But sadly it's now housing.

However, as a natural beauty spot for walking, cycling, and climbing, it continues to be very popular.

Another major change is the growth of trees across most of the moorland. Due to the absence of free-grazing sheep after outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.

Loadpit Beck

Through Shipley Glen, runs Loadpit Beck. Which eventually joins the River Aire near Saltaire. But I was heading upstream to cross the bridge to Eldwick.

Eldwick Beckons

I continued alongside the beck. Until the pathway becomes roadway as it climbs towards Eldwick village. Many years ago a friend of mine used to take me to Eldwick village hall. Where a small bar was run by locals. Over the years, this became The Birches. A small pub with the recent addition of a comparatively large outdoor seating area.

There, several members of my family gathered and we socialised happily in the afternoon sun.