Gartad one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Garforth to Tadcaster. Mostly excellent, some wet and muddy sections and a few stiles and slightly diverted paths. A few minor issues with GPX plotting, but it deserves its snail.

The route out of Garforth goes east past the rail station, then descends steps into the Tesco car park. Note that you have to bear right and use the car exit into Parkinson Approach - there is no way out by the shop corner. Once off the streets, the route is fairly well signposted - we follow the fences between the fields and the industrial buildings as far as Ash Lane, then follow the lane through the industrial estate, out north under the motorway bridge and into the woods.

In the middle of the wood the track bears left but our path goes straight on - initially through brambles with a few stray shoots across the path. The path is never hard to follow, but does have some wet and muddy sections, and there was one point where it was covered in shallow water. Further one we bear right, and there is one confusing waymark pointing right where we need to head half left across a stream. Partington Lane is an NCN cycle route, but still has muddy sections. Further on we pass Nellie's tree (picture 6 - see Paul's picture below to see the higher parts), where two beech trees were grafted together to form a letter N - this won the national tree of the year competition a few years ago.

Eventually we emerge in Aberford, where we follow the main road left. It is best to stay on the left (west) pavement, as the east one has gaps. Beyond the bridge we can cross to the right side, passing a pub and following Field Lane half right to the A1. I didn't find the motorway bridge at all disconcerting - it looked pretty solid to me and wide enough for bikes to pass.

Where we stop following the A1, the path right has been diverted to the south side of the hedge, but is well trodden and easy to follow on. Further on, we follow the edge of a small wood then turn right (here the right of way line is better than the GPX plot. The path towards Hazelwood Castle (now a hotel) is fairly clear but crosses a racehorse training track twice and goes throughh a couple of very small woods. Where we leave the muddy track in the second wood, the path goes over a stile and follows the edge of large fields - this is not so obvious or well trodden. There are stiles but one of them could do with a hedge trim.

Note that the final short field crossing from the Peggy Ellerton Farm lane is no longer there on the ground, but it is easy just to follow the lane left to reach Chantry Lane instead. From here navigation is easy, but there are muddy sections on the lane and this section seemed quite long late in the day. At Old London Road we move off compacted gravel onto tarmac, heading down the hill. Stutton Road is surprisingly busy, but a narrow pavement soon starts on the left, and once on it the rest of the route into Tadcaster is an easy stroll.

Enjoyable route taking in several woods and passing through the village of Aberford.

Some of the sections through woods were very wet and muddy, so sturdy/waterproof footwear would be advised when it's been raining a lot.

A steady away walk, little idustrial to start with around back of industrial units Garforth, 3 miles or so to Aberford. Footbridge across A1 bit unnerving narrow with railings but both carriageways visible below. Section after passing Haselwood castle. A stile semi fenced off. Those short of leg may stuggle. Recommend downloading gpx file and follow your position via gps, as one or two forks to be taken and potential for veering off route. Plenty of traffic noise from M1,A1 and A64. Enjoyable in parts. Section on road but very quite, no traffic issues. No refuelling stops between Garforth and Tadcaster, so carry your own refreshment.

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