Intermediate

Wonders of Wakefield (WoW) – 21‑Mile Circular Route Review

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I’ve ridden almost every section of the Wonders of Wakefield loop in isolation over the years, but this was my first time stitching the whole thing together in one go. I rode it with my mate Chris (who contributes to Family Cycling), and it reminded me why the WoW is such a brilliant showcase of Wakefield’s green spaces: lots of traffic‑free riding, links between our favourite country parks, and plenty of places to stop. 

This review gives a friendly, practical overview for families and recreational riders: what to expect, how to navigate, the best stop‑offs, and how to adapt the loop for younger legs.

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Rother Valley Country Park Cycling Review For Families

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Rother Valley Country Park Cycling

Rother Valley Country Park is located near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, just off the M1 at Junction 31, only a short drive away from the popular Gulliver’s Valley theme park. The park spans 750 acres, offering a mix of lakes, woodlands, and trails perfect for a family cycling day out.

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Sherwood Pines Cycling Review For Families

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Sherwood Pines Cycling

Sherwood Pines is nestled in the heart of Sherwood Forest, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The forest spans over 3000 acres, offering a vast, traffic-free space for outdoor adventures. It is an absolute haven for cycle trails across all abilities, as well as multiple playgrounds and outdoor activities like Go-Ape. There is also an excellent on-site campsite for those wanting to make it more than a day trip.

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Cycling the Trans Pennine Trail: Denby Dale to Skelmanthorpe Route Review

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Denby Dale to Skelmanthorpe Route Review

Route at a glance

Total distance~3 miles / ~4.8 km out & back (1.5 mi each way)
DifficultyIntermediate (uneven surface, short inclines)
Top things to see
  • Countryside views with Emley Moor Mast
  • Field & woodland cuttings
  • Village cafés at either end
  • Quiet, off-road link between communities

As a Wakefield-based user of the Trans Pennine Trail, we wanted to explore some areas outside our home patch. We’ve always liked Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe. They feel like a throwback to the traditional past of the area. Imagine my delight when analysing the local Trans Pennine Trail routes and I noticed that there’s a connection between Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe and it’s largely all off-road.

This small section of the Trans Pennine Trail connects the two villages nicely and we couldn’t wait to try it out. We used the car for this one to transport our bikes to the area as we were short of time and we are firmly in the ‘leisure cyclist’ camp.

Starting at Gilthwaites Lane in Denby Dale (Next to Denby Dale Primary School), the route follows a trail winding through a serene mix of open fields and woodland before arriving in Skelmanthorpe. The mast at Emley Moor is always in your eyesight on this trip and although short it’s a nice simple route.

While only a short stretch, this portion of the trail provides a valuable link for locals, offering a practical walking route, enjoyable leisure rides and a way for students of Shelley College to walk independently and safely to school. 

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Cycling the Trans Pennine Trail: Sandal Train Station to Anglers Country Park Route Review

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Sandal Train Station to Anglers Country Park Route Review

Route at a glance

Total distance~10 miles / ~16 km round trip
DifficultyBeginner–Intermediate (mostly stable; a few narrow bits)
Top things to see
  • Walton Colliery Nature Park
  • Waterton Park & Barnsley Canal
  • Anglers Country Park hub & café
  • Plenty of off-road TPT sections

I am fortunate to live close to the Trans Pennine Trail. I can easily reach the Wakefield sections from my front door and other sections within a short drive. This section is the link from my daughters’ school to Anglers Country Park (and beyond for those with more time).

I try to focus on rides of approximately 60-70 minutes. These are more convenient and consistent and can be part of an everyday exercise routine. Sandal Train Station is not part of the Trans Pennine Trail, but a multi-use section has been authorised for use and it links nicely with Oakenshaw Lane in Walton to create a mostly off-road cycle experience.

Exploring the Trans Pennine Trail is always a delight, and the route from Sandal Train Station to Anglers Country Park via Walton offers a perfect mix of history, nature, and cycling fun.

This stretch provides a stable and scenic ride suitable for beginner to intermediate cyclists, with a few narrow and uneven paths to challenge your balance and concentration. Here, we’ll delve into the route details, its history, and why it’s worth considering for your next adventure.

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Cycling the Calder & Hebble Navigation: Wakefield to Dewsbury Route Review

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Calder Hebble Navigation Cycle Review

Route at a glance

Total distance~6.5 miles / ~10.5 km (one way)
DifficultyBeginner–Intermediate (flat towpath; narrow in places)
Top things to see
  • Figure of Three Locks & canal heritage
  • Narrowboats, bridges & riverside wildlife
  • Navigation Inn start/finish option
  • Blacker Hall Farm detour for café

The Calder & Hebble Navigation towpath is a route I’ve taken a few times but never written up here but it’s one many would enjoy. It’s flat, easy to navigate (it’s a canal so pretty straight!) and suitable for varying ability levels.

If you are looking for a relaxed jaunt on your bike with nice scenery and a flashback to Wakefield’s industrial past, this is a cool route. I took the route from the Navigation in Calder Grove to Dewsbury.  This route spans approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km), making it an ideal choice for cyclists seeking a manageable yet rewarding journey.

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Cycling the Trans Pennine Trail: Chapelthorpe to Royston Route Review

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Trans Pennine Trail Chapelthorpe to Royston

Route at a glance

Total distance~8 miles / ~13 km out & back (4 mi each way)
DifficultyBeginner–Intermediate (mostly flat, wide)
Top things to see
  • Barnsley Canal stretch & rail-bed cuttings
  • Woodland sections near Chapelthorpe
  • Newmillerdam detour for cafés & toilets
  • Open, family-friendly trail feel

The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is a popular multi-user trail crossing the breadth of northern England, with a mix of scenic countryside, woodland, and picturesque urban sections.

My local haunt is the segment which lies between Chapelthorpe in Wakefield and Royston in Barnsley, approximately 4 miles in length one way (8 miles round trip). I have cycled this route approximately 50 times in my life as in terms of proximity to my home it’s one of the easiest to get to without much road use.

It dawned on me today that it’s actually a brilliant beginners route for those wanting to dip their toe into cycling. It’s relatively flat, wide and traffic-free. Perfect for those stepping back onto the bike after some years off or little people making their first strides.

This review covers the highlights, practical details, and suitability of this beginner-friendly route, offering insights for families and solo cyclists alike.

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The Monsal Trail cycling for families

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The Monsal Trail Cycling For Families

Route at a glance

Total distance~8.5 miles / ~13.7 km
DifficultyEasy (wide path, well-lit tunnels)
Top things to see
  • Headstone Viaduct & Monsal Dale
  • Four re-opened rail tunnels
  • Old stations (Hassop, Monsal Head, Millers Dale)
  • Riverside limestone scenery

The Monsal Trail is located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England. This scenic trail runs along the former Midland Railway line and offers a unique experience for families to enjoy the beauty of the English countryside.

We parked at the old Hessop train station (Hassop Station, Hassop Rd, Bakewell DE45 1NW), which has been converted into a fantastic cycling dream, along with a lovely cafe, play area and ice cream truck. 

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Skirlaugh to Hornsea Cycling for families (Trans Pennine Trail)

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Trans Pennine Trail Cycling To Hornsea Beach

Route at a glance

Total distance~16 miles / ~26 km round trip (≈8 mi each way)
DifficultyBeginner (mostly flat tarmac/gravel)
Top things to see
  • Old railway platforms & houses
  • Wildflower-lined rural trail
  • Hornsea beach & seafront treats
  • Bike parking at Hornsea Hub

Skirlaugh is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in an area known as Holderness. It is situated approximately 7 miles northeast of Hull city centre on the A165 road. Originally a farming community, it is now primarily a commuter village for Hull.

Having stayed last October at Willow Pastures Country Park lodge site we decided to stay again and utilise the proximity to the Trans Pennine Trail.

Last time we took the route from Skirlaugh to Sutton Village (towards the centre of Hull) and we were keen to take the opposite direction to the coastal region of Hornsea. Returning in June meant the weather forecast was great for the weekend and this was perfect beach weather.

I must confess we are not avid beachgoers however adding the 16-mile round trip cycle made it a really exciting prospect for the day. It was the furthest we had pushed out 7-year-old in terms of distance so we were keen to see how she would do. Packed to the rafters with snacks and spades we were raring to go!

You can actually travel in two directions. One is towards Hull City centre (approximately 8 miles) while the other takes you to the coastal region of Hornsea. As you can see from the map below Willow Pastures Country Park is a couple of minutes from the trail. (In the green).

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Leeds Urban Bike Park Cycling Review For Families

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Route at a glance

Total distanceFlexible loops: Green trail ~1.4 mi; family loop ~3.6 mi; full network ~7 mi
DifficultyAll grades on site — stick to Green/Blue with kids
Top things to see
  • Hub: pump track, BMX track, café & bike shop
  • Flowy woodland singletrack & skills areas (observe signage)
  • Easy link into Middleton Park paths & play areas

Leeds Urban Bike Park is a gem of a project by Leeds council, the lottery funded and British Cycling & Sports England. At the top part of Middleton park is a mountain bike trail centre and BMX Track, a bike shop with a workshop and a cafe. The bike park consists of multiple different trails across all difficulty levels.

It’s incredibly family-friendly and is suitable for all ages. Best of all it’s completely free of charge. It connects nicely with the wider Middleton park meaning you can enjoy the facilities available including kids park and much more.

It’s run as a community project meaning it’s not for profit. Parking and the bike park are completely free but you can support them by purchasing items in the bike store or in the cafe.

There’s an abundance of courses and circuits that continue into the woodland. Our daughter absolutely loved it and we could have stayed for hours. Even for non-riders Middleton park has plenty of walking trails for you to enjoy.

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