Walks in Chellow Dene

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1 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Leisure Services a breath of fresh air Walks in Chellow Dene In association with the Fairweather Green and Daisy Hill Action groups

2 Chellow Dene Chellow Dene is a local beauty spot on the western outskirts of Bradford City which can be reached by public transport. Although within the City boundaries Chellow Dene reservoirs lie within a quiet wooded valley and are a haven for wildlife including herons and owls. The reservoirs were constructed by Bradford Corporation in Victorian times to provide a stable water supply for the people of Bradford. The upper reservoir was the first to be built, in 1844, and has a capacity of 197,000 cubic metres. The lower reservoir constructed in 1853 has a capacity of 141,000 cubic metres. The reservoirs are no longer used to provide a water supply and were acquired by Bradford Council in 1974 and are maintained for recreational purposes. The lower reservoir is a site of ecological interest as it has the only known growth of Rusty Backed Fern in Yorkshire, and is a protected site. In 1991 the site was re-opened after a 1.2 million project to repair the condition of the reservoirs. This work included new spillways and strengthening of the embankments. Whilst lowering the water level several items of live ammunition were found in the reservoirs. Some sections of the walks featured here are not suitable for people with limited mobility, pushchairs or wheelchairs, although the paths around the reservoirs can be used by most. The routes take you alongside the reservoirs of Chellow Dene. Please take extra care especially if walking with children. Be safe and stay away from the water s edge.

3 Walk 1 - From Haworth Road around the top reservoir From the car park on Haworth Road walk along the main footpath into the woodland. Where the path forks after 30m keep to the lower path straight ahead. 600m into the walk at a junction of paths, take the paved path straight ahead. This leads down the left hand side of the reservoir past the stepping stones on the right. Keep on this path until you reach the end of the top reservoir. Here turn right following the path along the top of the dam. Another right turn takes you back along the reservoir and to a junction of paths. Turn left to follow the initial path back towards the car park and Haworth Road. Time: 30 minutes Distance: 2.4km/1.5m

4 Walk 2 - From Allerton Road around the bottom reservoir. From Pearson Lane walk up Chellow Lane to the entrance to Chellow Dene by the lodge (opp. Wharfedale Rise). Once facing the reservoir turn left along the path across the top of the dam, at the end of the reservoir turn right and follow the path along the side of the reservoir, where the path splits take the lower option keeping the reservoir to your right hand side. At the end of the reservoir turn right and follow this path back to the lodge and the entrance to the site. A short walk back along Chellow Lane will return you to the starting point on Pearson Lane. Time: 25 minutes Distance: 1.8km/1.1m

5 Walk 3 - From Haworth Road around both reservoirs. From the Car Park on Haworth Road take the main path into the woodland, after 30m this path forks, take the left hand fork and follow the path uphill into the woods. Follow this path for approx 1km keeping the golf course on your left, staying within the boundary of the woodland. The path splits at one point, ensure that you keep the fence of the golf course to your left and the small concrete wall on your right. When above the corner of the top reservoir follow the steps down the slope. Then turn left down towards the lower reservoir. Follow the path left around the reservoir towards the lodge. At the lodge turn right and right again to take you back along the opposite side of the reservoir. Where the path forks take the steep uphill path to the top reservoir and continue ahead keeping the water to your right. At the junction of paths at the end of the top reservoir turn left to follow the path back to the car park at Haworth Road. Time: 40 minutes Distance: 3.1km/1.9m

6 Chellow Dene Wetlands The Wetlands uses natural processes for water treatment, and has involved local schools and communities in the regeneration of the area. The Wetlands were constructed in 2005 by diverting a small flow of Chellow Dene Beck through a constructed wetland designed to improve the appearance, water quality and biodiversity of the site. It consists of a series of ponds at the lower end of the site that act together to remove sediment and impurities from the water before returning it to the beck further downstream. Local residents worked as a steering group making decisions about access onto the Wetlands and the location of pathways. Some formal paths were built and to make the site accessible for the disabled, kissing gates have replaced existing access gates and ramps were installed at either side of the bridge which crosses the beck. Local primary and secondary schools were involved in the project, undertaking activities ranging from planting reed and meadow plants, to pond Purple loosestrife dipping and soil sampling. Crossley Hall school children designed the sign displayed at the Ings Way entrance to the site. Involving the children encourages them to take pride in their environment and discourages anti-social behaviour by creating feelings of ownership. Damselfly As well as being an attractive recreational area the ponds can be used for informal educational activities such as pond dipping and identifying the wildlife and insect species found on the site. As the ponds become more established it is hoped that species such as dragonfiles and newts will begin to colonise them.

7 Wildlife Species identified in Chellow Dene Wetlands include the common freshwater shrimp, dragonflies, the common snail, frogs, toads, sticklebacks, and flowers such as purple loosestrife. Frog Great pond snail Access route, with new gate and new steps New footpath with new stone steps Access stile Access stile, with new footpath Path, with new and extended steps Renovated bridge New access gate Access gate, new footpath & improved views

8 Did you know that you could lose those extra pounds by walking in your lunch hour? It's as easy as this - 30 minutes for 5 days a week. It's free - no subscription fees - no special kit. Walk instruction and safety: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes Try to walk in pairs where it is possible Mobile phones: it is always useful to carry a mobile phone while out walking Will walking really help me to lose weight? Yes if you do it regularly. 30 minutes of walking uses roughly the same number of calories as 15 minutes jogging. How much walking should I do? Anything is better than nothing, but aim to build up at least 30 minutes a day (at least 5 days a week). If you do more than this, you will burn more calories and increase the chance of losing more weight. That's a lot, I'm not very fit and don't have much time. 2 or 3 short walks throughout the day is an effective way of building up to 30 minutes, for example walking the dog, walking at lunchtime or to work, taking the kids to school, walking to the shops instead of taking the car What else can walking do for me? 30 minutes of walking a day can have a positive effect on your blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, osteoarthritis, stress, anxiety and depression as well as lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes and some cancer. How to get there: For Walk 2 the 616, 617 & 618 bus stops on Allerton Road near Pearson Lane For Chellow Dene Wetlands the 607 bus stops on Thornton Road For Walk 1 and Walk 3 The 619 bus stops on Haworth Road near the car park For More Information on Chellow Dene contact: Trees and Woodland Manager Tel: General enquiries: Tel: or visit the website W18295