(S/E) From the car park go through the metal stile and turn left along the Dando Way. Follow this track crossing two roads.
Originally Brackenhill Light Railway built in 1879, coal was transported along here from Hemsworth Colliery until the 1950’s. This section is now a pathway re-named after Tom Dando (1919-1982), a local councillor who fought for many changes in Ackworth including the proposal for a bypass.
(1) Before the underpass, take the path on the right, go through stile and turn right along the road. Then turn first right through what was Poplar Farm, it is now a new housing estate. Follow this lane to a gate and stile at Constitution Hill Farm. Cross stile by the farm buildings and turn left down the hill, keeping the wall on your left. At the end of the field cross the stile and two bridges over the streams and follow the paving stones to Hessle Common Lane.
(2) Turn right past Hessle Hall. Follow this track past the large oak trees; ignore the stile and gate to your right until you reach Hessle Farm.
Look out for wildflowers in summer along the hedgerow bottom. You will probably see harebells, poppies and ox-eye daisies among others.
(3) At the farm keep to the tarmac track, then leave the road to turn right alongside the farm outbuilding wall and cross the stile (look for the public footpath sign). After a few metres, cross a second stile.
(4) At stream follow the path to the right and go over the bridge on the left. Bear right, crossing the wooden stile in the fence 50 metres on the right. Turn left following the path in the middle of the field up the hill. (Notice Ackworth Old Hall on your left.)
(5) Cross stile at top and turn right along Purston Lane into High Ackworth. Turn right at the village green (by the cross) and go down a small snicket by the almshouses. Follow this path to a cul-de-sac. Turn right up the road, following round to the left. Go down the footpath between the houses (Nos. 45 & 47). At the back of the houses continue straight ahead across the field towards the stone stile in the wall. Continue over the next field (you should be able to see this well used footpath defined in the crops).
(6) Go over the stone stile by the houses, cross the road diagonally to the footpath on your right into the playing field. Follow the field boundary on the left, crossing three stiles. At the third stile, head towards the bridge over the River Went. At the farm track, turn sharp right towards the farmyard (this is the official right of way!). Go through the farmyard and cross the stile ahead of you. Follow this track to the road.
(7) At the road turn left, going past the play area on your right and continue for about ¼ mile until you reach a footpath and cycle route sign pointing right along Dando Way. Follow this until you reach the bridge. Go under then turn left into car park at Bell Lane. (S/E)
A water mill once stood here having been built in 1435, together with a dam, which was drained 20 years ago. The dam was fed by Mill Canal (N) which ran from the River Went. Local villagers would have to pay to have their corn ground here.
