Earlier this month, Mandy, Hannah and I spent a fantastic morning exploring the Trans Pennine Trail between Walton Colliery Nature Park and Anglers Country Park, gathering stories, facts and inspiration for an upcoming TPT Digital Trail. Along the way we uncovered fascinating links to the area’s industrial past, discovered havens for wildlife, and met plenty of Trail users making the most of a sunny day outdoors.

This section of the Trail offers much more than a pleasant walk or bike ride. It takes visitors through landscapes that have been transformed over time, from former coal mining sites and historic waterways to thriving nature reserves filled with wildlife.

A Landscape Reborn
Our journey began at Walton Colliery Nature Park, around three miles south-east of Wakefield. Once part of a former colliery site, the reserve has been transformed into a peaceful green space featuring lakes, woodland, grassland, wetlands and a section of the historic Barnsley Canal. Free parking is available at Shay Lane, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the area.

One of the reserve’s most distinctive features is the Henry Daley Time Piece, located within the Walton Henry Daley Memorial Garden. The garden was created in memory of Councillor Henry Daley, a passionate local campaigner who worked tirelessly to protect the environment and create green spaces for Wakefield residents.

Following the Route of the Old Canal
As we continued along the Trail, we discovered Barnsley Canal, once an important transport route carrying coal from the region’s rich coalfields to wider markets. The Walton section was particularly impressive, featuring a staircase of 12 locks that lifted boats towards Barnby Basin. Although the locks have long since disappeared, the story of this engineering achievement remains woven into the landscape.

The canal eventually declined as railways became more popular and mining subsidence damaged sections of the route, leading to its closure in the mid-20th century. Today, the canal’s legacy offers an intriguing glimpse into the area’s industrial past.

The Legacy of Charles Waterton
The route passes close to Walton Hall, once home to renowned naturalist Charles Waterton. His pioneering work in wildlife conservation led to the creation of what is often recognised as the world’s first nature reserve in the 1820s. Today, the estate forms part of Waterton Park, where visitors can admire the historic surroundings while enjoying the area’s peaceful atmosphere.

For those looking to pause and refuel, facilities lie nearby in Walton, Waterton Park Hotel and Spa and Waterton Park Golf Club offering plenty of options for refreshments before continuing your journey.

Ancient Woodland and Wildlife
Further along the route, Haw Park Wood provides a wonderful contrast to the open landscapes of the reserve. Designated as both a Site of Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve, the woodland supports a diverse range of habitats and wildlife. Restoration work is helping increase native tree species, ensuring this valuable habitat continues to thrive for future generations.

The wood is popular with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and orienteers, offering well-maintained routes and circular trails suitable for a variety of visitors. Its history is closely linked to Charles Waterton, who famously built a nine-foot wall and watchtowers to protect wildlife from poachers. Parts of “Waterton’s Wall” can still be seen today, providing another fascinating connection to the area’s conservation heritage.

Arriving at Anglers Country Park
Our journey ended at Anglers Country Park, a Green Flag Award-winning nature reserve that, like Walton, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once the site of one of Europe’s deepest open cast mines, it is now a thriving landscape of lakes, wetlands, woodland and grassland.

With accessible lakeside paths, bird hides, family-friendly facilities and excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, Anglers Country Park is a destination worth exploring in its own right.

An Unexpected Adventure
Of course, every good Trail adventure comes with a story, and ours was no exception. After finishing the route and while queuing up for a well earned ice lolly, I realised I had accidentally left my car keys in Hannah’s car back in Walton!  After a quick Uber journey to retrieve them, followed by another trip back to Anglers Country Park, the day had become even more memorable than planned.

Explore It Yourself
Spending time on this section of the Trans Pennine Trail reminded us just how much history, wildlife and local character can be found right on our doorstep. From former collieries and historic canals to peaceful woodlands and thriving nature reserves, there’s something to discover around every corner. We also met plenty of people enjoying the route in their own way, whether walking, wheeling, cycling, horse riding, running or simply taking in the scenery.

Have you explored this section of the Trail? We’d love to receive  your memories, favourite spots and wildlife sightings here. And if you want to know more about this fascinating section, keep an eye out for our new Digital Trail, coming out soon.