East Ardsley Reservoir Circular Walk
- Michael Palmer
- Nov 21, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 6
East Ardsley Reservoir Circular Walk – 4.58 Easy Miles in West Yorkshire
Looking for an easy circular walk between Wakefield and Leeds? Our 4.58-mile East Ardsley Reservoir Circular Walk combines countryside, waterside scenery and the history of this former West Yorkshire mining village.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We found it to be a nice, easy walk.
At 4.58 miles, it's a good distance when you fancy a proper walk without anything particularly demanding, and the mixture of reservoir, countryside and local history gives you plenty to discover along the way.
East Ardsley Reservoir Walk at a Glance
Distance: 4.58 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy – based on our experience
Location: East Ardsley, West Yorkshire
Nearby: Wakefield, Morley, Tingley and Leeds
Terrain: Countryside paths, tracks and waterside sections
Highlights: Ardsley Reservoir, countryside, East Ardsley and local industrial heritage
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
About Our East Ardsley Walk
Lyn and I found this a pleasant and straightforward walk.
One of the things we like about walks around East Ardsley is that you're surrounded by reminders of West Yorkshire's industrial past, yet there are still plenty of green spaces to explore.
The reservoir provides an attractive focal point, while the surrounding countryside gives the route some variety.
At 4.58 miles, it's also a manageable distance for a morning or afternoon walk.
Where is East Ardsley?
East Ardsley lies between Wakefield and Leeds in West Yorkshire, close to Tingley and Morley.
Today it falls within the City of Leeds metropolitan district, although its Wakefield postcode and position between the two cities can sometimes cause a little confusion.
Historically, East Ardsley formed part of Yorkshire's West Riding.
The village also sits within the area traditionally known as the Heavy Woollen District and the famous Rhubarb Triangle.
East Ardsley: A Brief History
East Ardsley has roots stretching back to medieval times and earlier.
The name Ardsley appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Erdeslau. Historical sources record the East and West Ardsley lands as being held by Ilbert de Lacy following the Norman Conquest. (crsbi.ac.uk)
For centuries this would have been predominantly agricultural countryside.
That began to change dramatically as Yorkshire industrialised.
Coal mining, textiles and the growth of nearby Leeds and Wakefield transformed both the village and the surrounding landscape.
St Michael's Church
One of East Ardsley's most important historic buildings is St Michael's Church.
The present church was constructed in 1880–81, but it incorporated stone and features from an earlier church on the site.
Most interestingly, a Norman doorway from the previous medieval church was reused in the new building. Historic England lists St Michael's at Grade II. (Historic England)
That doorway provides a physical connection between modern East Ardsley and a community that worshipped here centuries ago.
John Field – East Ardsley's Astronomer
East Ardsley also has a fascinating connection with the history of astronomy.
The grave of John Field, who lived from around 1520 to 1586, can be found at St Michael's.
Historic England describes Field as the first astronomer in England to make known the discoveries of Nicolaus Copernicus. (Historic England)
It's a remarkable piece of history for a relatively small West Yorkshire village.
We often find that places we'd previously driven through turn out to have stories we'd never have discovered without exploring them on foot.
East Ardsley and Coal Mining
Coal mining eventually became one of the industries most closely associated with East Ardsley and the surrounding area.
The Yorkshire coalfield provided employment for generations of local families.
Mining didn't simply provide jobs.
It shaped communities, housing, transport and everyday life.
Pits and railway lines became familiar parts of the landscape around Wakefield and Leeds.
When the coal industry declined, that landscape began changing once again.
A Changing Yorkshire Landscape
One of the recurring themes of our White Shire walks is seeing how former industrial landscapes have returned to greener uses.
Old railway routes become paths.
Former industrial sites become grassland.
Trees return.
Reservoirs and waterways become places for walking and wildlife.
East Ardsley is a good example of how rural and industrial Yorkshire have become intertwined over generations.
Walking Around Ardsley Reservoir
The reservoir is naturally one of the main features of our route.
Lyn and I always enjoy walking beside water.
The views change as you move around it, with reflections, birds and surrounding vegetation adding interest.
Reservoir walks also have another side to them.
These aren't simply natural lakes.
They form part of Yorkshire's water infrastructure and remind us how engineering has helped shape landscapes that we now enjoy for recreation.
Countryside Around East Ardsley
Move away from the busier roads and there's still a surprising amount of countryside around East Ardsley.
Fields, hedgerows and paths provide a contrast with the nearby urban areas.
That's one of the reasons we enjoy these less obvious walks.
You don't necessarily have to travel to the Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors to find somewhere green.
Sometimes there's an enjoyable countryside walk only a few miles from home.
East Ardsley and the Rhubarb Triangle
East Ardsley also lies within Yorkshire's famous Rhubarb Triangle.
For generations, the area between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell became internationally known for producing early forced rhubarb.
The crop was traditionally grown in dark forcing sheds and harvested by candlelight.
The combination of suitable soil, local farming expertise and readily available materials from surrounding industries helped make this corner of Yorkshire synonymous with rhubarb.
It's another part of the area's heritage that can easily be overlooked.
Wildlife Around the Reservoir
Water naturally attracts wildlife.
Depending on the season, you may see a variety of waterbirds around the reservoir, while surrounding trees, fields and hedgerows provide additional habitats.
Lyn and I aren't expert birdwatchers.
We simply enjoy keeping our eyes open as we walk.
Sometimes the wildlife you weren't expecting to see becomes one of the most memorable parts of a route.
Is the East Ardsley Reservoir Walk Difficult?
Based on our experience, we'd rate our 4.58-mile route as easy.
We didn't find anything particularly demanding.
That doesn't mean conditions will always be perfect.
Countryside paths can become muddy after prolonged rain, and uneven ground naturally requires more care than walking on pavements.
Our easy rating is based on Lyn's and my experience of this particular route.
How Long is the East Ardsley Walk?
Our GPS-recorded route measures 4.58 miles. (The Whiteshire)
How long it takes will depend on your walking pace and how often you stop.
We don't rush.
We're usually taking photographs, looking at the landscape and finding out more about the places we're exploring.
For us, walking is about discovering somewhere rather than simply completing a distance.
Is East Ardsley Good for Walking?
We think this route shows that it is.
East Ardsley probably isn't somewhere most people would immediately think of when looking for a Yorkshire walk.
But that's part of the appeal.
There's a reservoir, surrounding countryside and a village with a history stretching back beyond the Domesday Book.
It's exactly the sort of lesser-known Yorkshire location Lyn and I enjoy exploring.
Is This Walk Suitable for Beginners?
Based on our experience, we'd consider it a good option for people comfortable walking around four and a half miles.
We've rated the route easy.
We'd still recommend suitable footwear, particularly following wet weather.
Take your time and enjoy the walk rather than worrying about completing it quickly.
When is the Best Time to Walk Around East Ardsley?
This is a walk we'd consider throughout much of the year.
Spring brings fresh growth and increased bird activity.
Summer provides longer daylight hours.
Autumn changes the colours around the reservoir and countryside.
Winter can open up views that are hidden by vegetation during the warmer months.
Recent weather will probably make more difference than the season, particularly on countryside paths.
What Else Can You Explore Near East Ardsley?
Wakefield and Leeds are both within easy reach.
Nearby Morley also has an interesting industrial and textile heritage, while the wider Wakefield district provides plenty more countryside walking.
If you're exploring the Rhubarb Triangle, there are also villages and landscapes throughout the area with strong connections to Yorkshire's distinctive forced-rhubarb industry.
Explore More West Yorkshire Walks
If you've enjoyed East Ardsley, Lyn and I have personally explored plenty more walks around West Yorkshire.
Or browse our wider collection:
Looking for somewhere else to visit?
About Michael and Lyn
Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.
Our walking guides combine our first-hand experience with practical information, local history and the character of the towns, villages and countryside we discover along the way.
We're not professional hikers. We simply enjoy getting out together, finding somewhere interesting to walk and discovering more of Yorkshire as we go.
East Ardsley is a good example of why we enjoy exploring lesser-known places.
At first glance, it might simply appear to be another village between Wakefield and Leeds.
Look a little closer and you find medieval history, a Norman church doorway, an important Tudor astronomer, coal-mining heritage, Yorkshire's Rhubarb Triangle and some enjoyable countryside.
East Ardsley Reservoir Circular Walk
Our GPS-recorded East Ardsley Reservoir Circular Walk measures 4.58 miles.
Based on our experience, Lyn and I rate it as an easy walk.
Take your time around the reservoir, enjoy the countryside and keep an eye out for reminders of the area's past.
For us, that's what The White Shire is all about – discovering that even places you think you know can have stories you've never heard before.
For the page title, I'd change:
Explore East Ardsley: A Historic Village in West Yorkshire
to:
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