Oliver Wood

Wood, Forest in Yorkshire

England

Oliver Wood

Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church This is the south-east facing wall of the church, and on the 5th course of stone is a cut benchmark.
Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church Credit: Mel Towler

Oliver Wood, Yorkshire is a picturesque wooded area located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, England. This enchanting forest is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Covering an area of approximately 500 acres, Oliver Wood is characterized by its dense canopy of towering oak, beech, and ash trees, providing a haven for a wide range of flora and fauna. The forest floor is adorned with a rich carpet of bluebells, wild garlic, and ferns, creating a vibrant and tranquil atmosphere. Visitors can immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance as they wander along the well-maintained trails that wind through the forest, offering breathtaking views and opportunities for birdwatching.

The woodland is home to various species of wildlife, including red squirrels, roe deer, and a diverse array of bird species, such as woodpeckers and tawny owls. It is not uncommon to spot these creatures amidst the tree branches or hear their calls echoing through the forest.

For those seeking more adventurous activities, Oliver Wood offers opportunities for camping, hiking, and mountain biking. The forest is crisscrossed with a network of trails, catering to all levels of fitness and experience. Additionally, the nearby Oliver River provides an ideal spot for fishing and picnicking.

Overall, Oliver Wood, Yorkshire is a hidden gem that showcases the natural beauty and tranquility of the Yorkshire Dales. It offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Oliver Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.665129/-1.6670444 or Grid Reference SE2218. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church This is the south-east facing wall of the church, and on the 5th course of stone is a cut benchmark.
Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church
This is the south-east facing wall of the church, and on the 5th course of stone is a cut benchmark.
Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church A wider angle showing the south-east facing wall of the church, and on the 5th course of stone is a cut benchmark.
Whitley Lower, St Mary's and Michael's church
A wider angle showing the south-east facing wall of the church, and on the 5th course of stone is a cut benchmark.
Whitley Lower, Woolpack PH The pub is on the north side of Whitley Road; according to older OS maps there is a benchmark cut into this front facia. The wall is badly weathered on some of the lower courses of stone and nothing could be found.
Whitley Lower, Woolpack PH
The pub is on the north side of Whitley Road; according to older OS maps there is a benchmark cut into this front facia. The wall is badly weathered on some of the lower courses of stone and nothing could be found.
Footpath past Lees Hall Lees Hall <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/362092">SE2319 : Lees Hall, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury</a> is out of sight to the left; to the right is a steep embankment on top of which is a playing field, but this must be artificial as old maps show a marsh here.
Footpath past Lees Hall
Lees Hall SE2319 : Lees Hall, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury is out of sight to the left; to the right is a steep embankment on top of which is a playing field, but this must be artificial as old maps show a marsh here.
Horses in a field by Lees Hall
Horses in a field by Lees Hall
Terrace Houses, Lees Hall Road
Terrace Houses, Lees Hall Road
Longley Concrete Group, Ravensthorpe Road Looking at the stock yard behind the buildings, this works manufactures precast concrete products rather than making premix concrete for construction sites.
Longley Concrete Group, Ravensthorpe Road
Looking at the stock yard behind the buildings, this works manufactures precast concrete products rather than making premix concrete for construction sites.
Factory Flooring Outlet, Ravensthorpe Road A warehouse selling tiles and floor coverings 'to the trade'.
Factory Flooring Outlet, Ravensthorpe Road
A warehouse selling tiles and floor coverings 'to the trade'.
Veolia depot, Ravensthorpe Road A plant depot for the waste collection firm.
Veolia depot, Ravensthorpe Road
A plant depot for the waste collection firm.
Thornhill LNW Junction In the 19th and early 20th centuries this is named on maps as Dewsbury Junction.  In those days the Calder Valley main line was four tracks bearing right here towards Wakefield and Normanton, a very busy freight route, and the two tracks to the left to Dewsbury and Leeds were less important.  Now the Leeds route is a main passenger artery, soon to be expanded to four tracks (with Ravensthorpe station seen here being relocated) while the Wakefield route sees far less traffic. Little has changed since my last view of the junction nearly five years earlier <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5260642">SE2219 : Ravensthorpe station from the road bridge</a> except the addition of some control equipment (left foreground).
Thornhill LNW Junction
In the 19th and early 20th centuries this is named on maps as Dewsbury Junction. In those days the Calder Valley main line was four tracks bearing right here towards Wakefield and Normanton, a very busy freight route, and the two tracks to the left to Dewsbury and Leeds were less important. Now the Leeds route is a main passenger artery, soon to be expanded to four tracks (with Ravensthorpe station seen here being relocated) while the Wakefield route sees far less traffic. Little has changed since my last view of the junction nearly five years earlier SE2219 : Ravensthorpe station from the road bridge except the addition of some control equipment (left foreground).
No Mooring sign by Greenwood Lock The reason for the ban on mooring at this point is that there is a major storm sewer outfall just below this concrete headwall. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5624446">SE2219 : River Calder downstream of Greenwood Lock </a>.
No Mooring sign by Greenwood Lock
The reason for the ban on mooring at this point is that there is a major storm sewer outfall just below this concrete headwall. See SE2219 : River Calder downstream of Greenwood Lock .
Riverbank path opposite Greenwood Lock A public footpath on the south bank of the Calder.
Riverbank path opposite Greenwood Lock
A public footpath on the south bank of the Calder.
Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (1) The nearer bridge carried a vehicle track down to Greenwood Bridge on the river Calder (no longer extant). The further one carries the main Calder Valley railway line. There were old mineshafts in Lady Wood beyond the railway and I presume these bridges allowed coal to be brought down to the river for loading onto barges.  See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4303022">SE2219 : Fenced off arch , Ravensthorpe</a> for the arch of this first bridge.
Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (1)
The nearer bridge carried a vehicle track down to Greenwood Bridge on the river Calder (no longer extant). The further one carries the main Calder Valley railway line. There were old mineshafts in Lady Wood beyond the railway and I presume these bridges allowed coal to be brought down to the river for loading onto barges. See SE2219 : Fenced off arch , Ravensthorpe for the arch of this first bridge.
Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (2) The right hand bridge carried a vehicle track, now totally overgrown, down to Greenwood Bridge on the river Calder (no longer extant). The left hand one carries the main Calder Valley railway line. There were old mineshafts in Lady Wood beyond the railway and I presume these bridges allowed coal to be brought down to the river for loading onto barges.  See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4303022">SE2219 : Fenced off arch , Ravensthorpe</a> for the arch of the right hand bridge and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7014310">SE2219 : Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (1)</a> for a view through them.
Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (2)
The right hand bridge carried a vehicle track, now totally overgrown, down to Greenwood Bridge on the river Calder (no longer extant). The left hand one carries the main Calder Valley railway line. There were old mineshafts in Lady Wood beyond the railway and I presume these bridges allowed coal to be brought down to the river for loading onto barges. See SE2219 : Fenced off arch , Ravensthorpe for the arch of the right hand bridge and SE2219 : Double bridge near Lady Wood Bottom (1) for a view through them.
Steps down to the river near Lady Wood Bottom The steps connect a bridleway running along the top of the railway embankment with the public footpath along the river bank.
Steps down to the river near Lady Wood Bottom
The steps connect a bridleway running along the top of the railway embankment with the public footpath along the river bank.
Bridleway alongside the railway The bridleway crosses the railway a little further on by means of a bridge.
Bridleway alongside the railway
The bridleway crosses the railway a little further on by means of a bridge.
Calder Valley railway tracks at Lady Wood Bottom There are currently three tracks here: there used to be four <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/939052">SE2219 : The Calder Valley main line (1)</a> and plans to upgrade the Manchester-Leeds corridor will see a fourth track reinstated.
Calder Valley railway tracks at Lady Wood Bottom
There are currently three tracks here: there used to be four SE2219 : The Calder Valley main line (1) and plans to upgrade the Manchester-Leeds corridor will see a fourth track reinstated.
Retaining wall at Lady Wood Bottom The wall retains the railway embankment; the 1907 map shows three (presumably narrow gauge) railway tracks between the wall and the river bank, related to a nearby mine.
Retaining wall at Lady Wood Bottom
The wall retains the railway embankment; the 1907 map shows three (presumably narrow gauge) railway tracks between the wall and the river bank, related to a nearby mine.
Show me another place!

Oliver Wood is located at Grid Ref: SE2218 (Lat: 53.665129, Lng: -1.6670444)

Division: West Riding

Unitary Authority: Kirklees

Police Authority: West Yorkshire

What 3 Words

///cove.apes.hilltop. Near Mirfield, West Yorkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.665129,-1.6670444
Note: Impassable 28.11.20. Sign advised not possible to remove due to covid.
Obstacle: fallen_tree
Lat/Long: 53.6670261/-1.6731396
Fixme: continues?
Lat/Long: 53.6671472/-1.6735797
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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