Judy Woods Circular Walk
4.3 miles (7 km)
This circular walk explores Norwood Green and Judy Woods on the southern edge of Bradford.
The woods are a lovely place for a peaceful stroll with miles of forestry trails, pretty streams, waterfalls and fine views of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside.
The area is great for flora and fauna with roe deer, foxes and pipistrelle bats that emerge at dusk. Birdwatchers can frequently spot great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, and treecreepers among the beech trees, while grey wagtails are often seen flitting along the beck near Judy Bridge.... In spring, the forest floor is famous for its dense carpets of bluebells, which give way to diverse fungi and migratory fieldfares as the seasons shift.
It's easy to extend the walk as the long distance Calderdale Way passes through the woods. You could also visit nearby Shibden Park if you have time.
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Waterfall in the woods. A journey through Judy Woods and Norwood Green reveals a blend of ancient natural history and quiet village charm on the border of Bradford and Calderdale. The woodland, which is the largest continuous public forest in South Bradford, is actually a collection of smaller woods including Low Wood, Old Hanna Wood, Royds Hall Great Wood, and Jagger Park Wood. Its name commemorates Judy North, a 19th-century local known as "Gurt Judy," who sold ginger beer and parkin pigs to Victorian visitors from her cottage near the stream.
Royds Hall Beck. The beck in Low Wood between Wyke and Norwood Green, at the local authority boundary between Bradford and Calderdale.
The terrain consists of ancient beech trees, many of which are over 200 years old and provide a dense canopy that turns vibrant shades of orange and yellow in autumn. Throughout the woods, you can find subtle reminders of the area's industrial past, such as the shallow depressions of bell pits used for early coal and ironstone mining. Royds Hall Beck flows through the valley, crossed by the historic Judy Bridge (originally Horse Close Bridge), a packhorse bridge that served as a key meeting point for locals for generations.
Norwood Green Hill, Norwood Green. The path transitions from the shaded forest into the open, tranquil village of Norwood Green, often nicknamed the "retirement village" due to its peaceful atmosphere. Historical landmarks within the village include the Old White Beare pub, a timber-framed building dating back to 1646, and the prominent Jubilee Clock Tower, which was once part of a chapel. The village is also home to the Pear Tree pub, which allegedly takes its name from a tree that once grew near Judy North’s cottage. For those seeking natural sights, secluded waterfalls such as the one at Dean House can be found along the becks that border the village and woodland.
Ordnance Survey Map
OpenStreetMap
OS Map (Mobile GPS)
OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)
