Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk

Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk 4.35mi

Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk – 4.35 Easy Miles in West Yorkshire

Looking for a nice easy circular walk in West Yorkshire? This 4.35-mile Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk explores the countryside surrounding the attractive rural village of Upper Cumberworth, close to Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe.

Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire. We found it to be a nice, easy and enjoyable countryside walk and, at just over four miles, it's a good choice if you're looking for a relatively short route without anything too demanding.

Upper Cumberworth itself is also worth discovering. It's an attractive West Yorkshire village surrounded by fields and woodland, with traditional stone buildings and plenty of local history.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks

Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk at a Glance

Distance: 4.35 miles

Route type: Circular

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Upper Cumberworth, West Yorkshire

Area: Kirklees / Denby Dale

Nearby: Denby Dale, Lower Cumberworth, Skelmanthorpe, Shepley and Clayton West

Terrain: Village lanes, countryside tracks, field paths and woodland paths

Highlights: Upper Cumberworth village, West Yorkshire countryside, woodland, traditional stone buildings and views across the surrounding landscape

Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire

About the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk

At 4.35 miles, this is very much the sort of walk Lyn and I enjoy when we fancy getting outside without committing ourselves to anything particularly strenuous.

We found the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk nice and easy.

The village sits within a lovely rural part of West Yorkshire, surrounded by fields and woodland yet within relatively easy reach of Huddersfield, Wakefield and Barnsley.

Once you leave the village, the countryside quickly takes over.

For us, that's one of the attractions of walking around places such as Upper Cumberworth.

It isn't one of Yorkshire's famous walking destinations, but that's partly the point.

Sometimes the best days out start with choosing a village we've driven through or heard about, putting our walking shoes on and simply seeing what we can discover.

Upper Cumberworth: A Brief History

Upper Cumberworth is a rural village within the civil parish of Denby Dale in West Yorkshire.

The village sits between Denby Dale and Shepley, above neighbouring Lower Cumberworth.

For centuries, the surrounding landscape was predominantly agricultural, with farms, fields and woodland shaping everyday life.

Like many communities in this part of Yorkshire, small-scale textile production would later become another important part of the local economy.

Today, Upper Cumberworth retains much of its traditional rural character and is designated as a Conservation Area.

If you enjoy discovering the history behind the places Lyn and I explore, discover West Yorkshire attractions and historic places to visit.

A Traditional West Yorkshire Village

One of the things we like about Upper Cumberworth is that it still feels very much like a Yorkshire village.

Traditional stone buildings sit amongst lanes and roads leading out towards the surrounding countryside.

The local landscape is a mixture of farmland, woodland and gently rolling hills.

You don't have to walk particularly far before the village begins to disappear behind you.

That's something we enjoy about this part of West Yorkshire.

There are plenty of places where you can start in a village and be out amongst fields within minutes.

Farming Around Upper Cumberworth

Agriculture shaped Upper Cumberworth for generations.

The surrounding fields provided grazing and agricultural land, while farms and small rural settlements developed throughout the wider landscape.

Old lanes and tracks connected farms with neighbouring villages and market towns.

Although modern life has obviously changed the village considerably, much of the countryside still reflects that agricultural past.

Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate it.

When you're travelling by car, fields and old stone walls can simply become part of the scenery.

On foot, you have much more time to notice how the landscape fits together.

Textiles and the Wider West Yorkshire Area

Upper Cumberworth also sits within an area strongly influenced by Yorkshire's textile industry.

Before large mills came to dominate textile production, spinning and weaving were frequently carried out in cottages and small workshops.

Families could combine farming with textile work, providing an additional source of income.

As industrialisation gathered pace, production increasingly moved into larger mills in surrounding communities.

Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe, Scissett and other nearby settlements all developed strong industrial connections.

It's another example of the layers of history we repeatedly find on our White Shire walks.

A landscape that appears completely rural can have strong links with industries that helped shape Yorkshire.

Upper Cumberworth Conservation Area

Upper Cumberworth's historic character is recognised through its Conservation Area status.

That designation helps protect the special architectural and historic character of the village.

Traditional stone buildings, the village layout and its relationship with the surrounding countryside all contribute to its appearance.

For Lyn and me, places like Upper Cumberworth are particularly enjoyable to explore on foot because walking gives you time to notice those details.

A stone cottage, an old boundary wall or a narrow lane can tell you just as much about a village as one famous landmark.

Historic Buildings in Upper Cumberworth

Upper Cumberworth contains a number of buildings that provide clues to its past.

One particularly interesting example is the former National School on Cumberworth Lane.

The stone building dates from 1820 and is now Grade II listed.

There are also older properties within the village, including buildings dating from the 17th and early 18th centuries.

These surviving structures help give Upper Cumberworth the traditional character you see while walking through the village today.

The Woodlands Around Upper Cumberworth

Woodland forms another important part of the landscape around Upper Cumberworth.

Local woods provide a contrast to the surrounding open fields and give this relatively short route a little more variety.

The woodlands are also actively cared for by the local Upper Dearne Woodlands Conservation Group.

Depending on the time of year, woodland can completely change the character of a walk.

Spring brings fresh growth, summer creates a green canopy and autumn transforms the trees again.

It's one of the reasons Lyn and I enjoy repeating walks in different seasons.

The same route can feel surprisingly different.

Upper Cumberworth and Denby Dale

Upper Cumberworth sits close to Denby Dale, one of the best-known villages in this part of West Yorkshire.

Denby Dale is particularly famous for its giant pies.

The tradition stretches back to the 18th century, with enormous pies baked to celebrate significant national and local events.

The first is traditionally associated with celebrations surrounding King George III in 1788.

Later pies marked events including the defeat of Napoleon, the repeal of the Corn Laws and royal jubilees.

It's certainly one of Yorkshire's more unusual village traditions.

Denby Dale Viaduct

Another major landmark nearby is Denby Dale Viaduct.

The railway crosses the Dearne Valley on a substantial stone viaduct that has become one of the area's most recognisable structures.

The present stone viaduct replaced an earlier timber structure during the 19th century.

Today trains on the Penistone Line continue to cross the valley.

Even if your walk doesn't take you directly underneath it, the viaduct is an important part of the wider landscape and history around Denby Dale and Upper Cumberworth.

Is the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk Difficult?

No.

Lyn and I found the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk to be an easy walk.

At 4.35 miles, it's also a manageable distance if you're looking for a relatively short countryside route.

We didn't find anything particularly demanding about the walk.

As always, countryside conditions can change depending on the weather.

Field and woodland paths can become muddy or slippery following prolonged rain, so we'd still recommend sensible walking footwear.

Overall, though, we'd definitely class this amongst our easier White Shire walks.

How Long is the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk?

Our GPS-recorded Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk is approximately 4.35 miles.

How long you'll need depends on your own walking pace and how often you stop.

Lyn and I don't tend to rush.

We stop to take photographs, look at interesting buildings and generally see what we can discover along the way.

At just over four miles, this is a good distance for an enjoyable few hours outside without turning the walk into an all-day challenge.

Where is Upper Cumberworth?

Upper Cumberworth is a village in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, within the civil parish of Denby Dale.

It lies between Denby Dale and Shepley and immediately above Lower Cumberworth.

Skelmanthorpe and Clayton West are also nearby.

Its position makes this a useful route if you're searching for easy circular walks near Denby Dale, Huddersfield or the southern side of West Yorkshire.

Is Upper Cumberworth Good for Walking?

We think so.

Upper Cumberworth gives you easy access to attractive countryside without needing to travel to one of Yorkshire's busier walking destinations.

The combination of fields, woodland, traditional village buildings and nearby Denby Dale makes it an enjoyable area to explore.

And because our route is only 4.35 miles and easy based on our experience, you can take your time and enjoy the surroundings.

Is Upper Cumberworth Worth Visiting?

Yes – particularly if you enjoy discovering Yorkshire's quieter villages.

There isn't one huge tourist attraction that dominates Upper Cumberworth.

Instead, its appeal comes from the village itself and its setting.

Traditional buildings, woodland and surrounding countryside give it a character that is best appreciated on foot.

That's exactly the sort of place Lyn and I enjoy finding for The White Shire.

What Else Can You Visit Near Upper Cumberworth?

Denby Dale is the obvious place to explore while you're nearby.

Its giant-pie tradition, village centre and railway viaduct give you plenty of additional local interest.

There are also numerous villages and countryside walks throughout the wider Denby Dale area.

If you've travelled some distance to complete the Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk, we'd consider spending a little longer exploring the surrounding area rather than simply heading straight home.

For other ideas, see what's on in West Yorkshire.

When is the Best Time to Walk Around Upper Cumberworth?

This is the sort of countryside walk we'd consider throughout much of the year.

Spring and summer bring greener fields, woodland and longer daylight hours.

Autumn changes the character of the countryside again and can be particularly attractive around the woodland.

Following prolonged rain, field and woodland paths can naturally become muddy.

We'd therefore check the weather beforehand and choose footwear suitable for the conditions.

Explore More of West Yorkshire

If you've enjoyed discovering Upper Cumberworth, there are plenty more places to explore with us around West Yorkshire.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks and find another route personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded by Michael and Lyn.

Or explore our complete collection of Yorkshire circular walks, covering routes across West, North, South and East Yorkshire.

Looking for somewhere else to explore? Discover West Yorkshire attractions and interesting places to visit.

You can also see what's on in West Yorkshire for events, shows, festivals and ideas for another day 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 first-hand experience with practical route 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.

Upper Cumberworth is a good example – a nice, easy 4.35-mile walk through a traditional West Yorkshire village and the surrounding countryside.

Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk

View our GPS-recorded 4.35-mile Upper Cumberworth Circular Walk below and use it to help plan your own walk around Upper Cumberworth and the surrounding West Yorkshire countryside.

At just over four miles and with an easy difficulty rating based on our own experience, it's a lovely option when you fancy getting outside without committing to one of our longer walks.

Take your time, enjoy the countryside and have a look around Upper Cumberworth itself – it's often the quieter Yorkshire villages that turn out to be the most interesting.

Yorkshire Walks: Exploring Upper Cumberworth