Ossett & Three Locks Circular Walk
- Michael Palmer
- Nov 21, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Ossett & Three Locks Circular Walk – 5.52 Easy Miles in West Yorkshire
Looking for an easy circular walk near Wakefield? Our 5.52-mile Ossett and Three Locks Circular Walk combines local history, countryside and waterside walking in this interesting part of West Yorkshire.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We found it to be an easy and enjoyable walk. At 5.52 miles, it's long enough to feel like you've had a decent walk without being particularly demanding.
Ossett is best known for its industrial and textile heritage, but get away from the busier parts of town and you'll discover a surprisingly varied landscape.
Ossett & Three Locks Walk at a Glance
Distance: 5.52 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy – based on our experience
Location: Ossett, West Yorkshire
Nearby: Wakefield, Horbury and Dewsbury
Terrain: Paths, tracks, towpaths and countryside sections
Highlights: Ossett, Three Locks, waterways, countryside and industrial heritage
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
About Our Ossett Circular Walk
Lyn and I found this a nice, straightforward walk.
One of the things we liked was the variety.
You're not simply walking through countryside for five miles. The route combines the town with greener sections and the waterways around Three Locks.
At 5.52 miles, we think it's a good option when you want a proper walk without taking on anything particularly strenuous.
As always, conditions can change after wet weather, so we'd recommend suitable walking shoes or boots.
Where is Ossett?
Ossett is a market town in West Yorkshire, situated between Wakefield and Dewsbury.
Today it's part of the City of Wakefield district, but Ossett has its own distinctive history and identity.
Its location placed the town within one of Britain's great industrial regions, surrounded by communities associated with textiles, coal mining and manufacturing.
A Brief History of Ossett
Ossett has a history stretching back hundreds of years.
For much of its early existence, agriculture and small-scale textile production were important to local families.
Wool eventually transformed the town.
Before large factories appeared, spinning and weaving frequently took place in people's homes and small workshops.
As industrialisation gathered pace, production moved increasingly into mills and Ossett developed into an important textile town.
Ossett and the Woollen Industry
Ossett became particularly well known for the production of shoddy and mungo.
Despite the modern meaning of the word "shoddy", this was actually an ingenious form of textile recycling.
Old woollen material was broken down into fibres that could be reused in the manufacture of new cloth.
Mungo used a similar process with harder and more tightly woven woollen materials.
Ossett, Dewsbury and Batley became important centres for this recycled wool industry.
It's fascinating to think that Yorkshire manufacturers were recycling textiles on an industrial scale generations before recycling became part of everyday environmental conversation.
Ossett Town Hall
One of Ossett's most recognisable landmarks is its impressive Town Hall.
The Grade II listed building was constructed between 1906 and 1908 and dominates the Market Place.
Its size and architecture reflect the confidence and prosperity of Ossett during the early 20th century.
The Town Hall is a useful reminder that Ossett wasn't simply a collection of mills and factories. It had developed into an important and increasingly prosperous West Yorkshire town.
Ossett and Coal Mining
Textiles weren't the only industry shaping the area.
Coal mining became enormously important throughout the Wakefield district.
Coal powered factories, heated homes and provided employment for thousands of local families.
As the industry declined during the 20th century, the landscape began changing again.
Industrial sites disappeared, former railway routes found new uses and nature gradually reclaimed areas once dominated by heavy industry.
We see that story repeatedly on our walks around Yorkshire.
Heading Towards Three Locks
The character of our walk changes as we head towards Three Locks.
Leaving the more urban environment behind gives you a different side of the area, with greener surroundings and waterside walking.
This was one of our favourite aspects of the route.
For Lyn and me, walks are always more interesting when the scenery changes along the way.
Yorkshire's Waterways
Canals and navigable waterways played an enormous role in Yorkshire's Industrial Revolution.
Before railways and lorries, moving large quantities of coal, stone and manufactured goods over land was difficult and expensive.
Waterways provided a much more efficient alternative.
The peaceful towpaths we enjoy walking along today were once part of a busy transport network serving Yorkshire's industries.
What Does a Canal Lock Do?
Locks allow boats to move between different water levels.
A boat enters the lock chamber and the gates close behind it.
Water is then either added or released, raising or lowering the boat until it reaches the level of the next section of waterway.
The gates open and the boat continues its journey.
They're simple in principle but incredibly effective pieces of engineering.
Walking Beside the Water
Lyn and I always enjoy waterside sections.
The landscape seems to slow down.
There's usually wildlife to look out for, reflections across the water and remnants of old industrial infrastructure.
Towpaths also tend to provide relatively straightforward walking, which contributes to our easy rating for this route.
From Industry to Leisure
One of the things we find fascinating about exploring Yorkshire is how landscapes change purpose.
Canals built to transport industrial goods become places for walking and boating.
Old railway lines become cycle routes.
Former collieries become country parks and nature reserves.
Buildings that once contained textile machinery become homes and businesses.
Yorkshire's industrial history hasn't completely disappeared.
It has simply become another layer within the modern landscape.
Wildlife Along the Route
The waterside and countryside sections provide opportunities to look for wildlife.
Waterbirds are amongst the easiest things to spot, while hedgerows, trees and vegetation along the water provide habitat for smaller birds, insects and mammals.
We're not expert wildlife watchers.
Lyn and I simply enjoy seeing what we can spot while we're walking.
That's one of the advantages of exploring somewhere on foot rather than driving through it.
Is the Ossett & Three Locks Walk Difficult?
Based on our experience, no.
Lyn and I rate our 5.52-mile Ossett and Three Locks Circular Walk as easy.
Although it's longer than some of our shorter routes, we didn't find anything particularly demanding.
As with any countryside walk, weather can make a difference. Wet conditions may create muddier or more slippery sections.
Our easy rating is based on our own experience of walking this particular route.
How Long is the Ossett Circular Walk?
Our GPS-recorded route measures 5.52 miles.
Walking time will depend on your own pace and how often you stop.
We don't rush our walks.
We're normally taking photographs, looking at buildings, enjoying the scenery and occasionally stopping to investigate something that's caught our attention.
For us, exploring the place is more important than completing the route as quickly as possible.
Is This a Good Walk for Beginners?
We think it could be a good option for people who are comfortable walking around five and a half miles.
The route isn't particularly demanding based on our experience, which is why we've rated it easy.
We'd still recommend appropriate footwear and checking the weather before setting off.
When is the Best Time to Walk Around Ossett?
This is a route we'd consider throughout much of the year.
Spring and summer naturally provide longer daylight hours and greener countryside.
Autumn changes the character of the landscape, while winter can reveal views and features hidden by vegetation during the warmer months.
Recent rainfall is probably more important than the season.
After prolonged wet weather, expect countryside sections to be muddier.
Is Ossett Worth Exploring on Foot?
We think so.
Ossett probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when somebody mentions walking in Yorkshire.
That's one reason we enjoy routes like this.
Walk through the area rather than simply driving through and you begin noticing the history and landscape.
Textiles, coal mining and waterways have all influenced this part of West Yorkshire.
The Three Locks route gives you an opportunity to explore some of that history while enjoying an easy 5.52-mile walk.
What Else Can You Explore Near Ossett?
Wakefield is nearby and offers plenty of attractions and places to visit.
Horbury is another interesting historic town, while Dewsbury provides further opportunities to discover West Yorkshire's textile heritage.
If you'd rather continue walking, we've explored plenty of other routes throughout the Wakefield district and wider West Yorkshire.
Explore More West Yorkshire Walks
If you've enjoyed discovering Ossett and Three Locks, you can find plenty more routes we've personally explored across West Yorkshire.
Or browse walks from across the county:
Looking for somewhere to visit while you're out?
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.
Ossett is a good example of why we enjoy doing it.
What initially looks like a modern West Yorkshire town becomes much more interesting when you explore it on foot and discover the textile industry, waterways and industrial history that helped shape the landscape.
Ossett & Three Locks Circular Walk
Our GPS-recorded Ossett and Three Locks Circular Walk measures 5.52 miles.
Based on our experience, Lyn and I rate it as an easy walk.
Take your time, enjoy the waterside sections and look for some of the reminders of Ossett's industrial past along the way.
Yorkshire's famous countryside is wonderful, but Lyn and I also enjoy discovering these less obvious walks.
Sometimes the places you wouldn't immediately think of visiting on foot turn out to be some of the most interesting.
Comments