Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve

 

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is in the Calder Valley between Elland & Brighouse .  To say that the site used to be a Quarry , a landfill site  & a tip for ash from what used to be Elland Power station , it is now unrecognisable . Especially as it relies on donations & run by volunteers .

 

There are various paths going round , which are signposted . It's  a transformation , but still work in progress  & ongoing plans  to achieve full accessibility in places . when i was there i got chatting to a few people who were happy picking Blackberries . The Bird feeding    / observation area is one area with two sections . one has a few steps , the other for wheelchair users . Woodland Birds are plentiful here , also Squirrels , Woodland Mice ,  the list is  long . 

There are some slopes and gravel , to be expected , following the signs There is a path round to a pond & a " tag loop " popular with dog walkers. The wooded area is a good trundle for wheelchair users ,for a woodland place i found them very good ,although as we all know , weather can play a part on Grip , mud etc.

 

I confess, i've been a few times now , making sure i have bags of time ,armed with my camera i can loose track of time . Accessed via the A6205 Brighouse to Elland Road , from Elland  past the Crematorium & straight on until you come to a  red brick building on the right .

 

The car park is the next turning  on the right , then take a left into the gravel car park . There is a bridge at the end of the car park ,follow the path round to the left,  which leads to  Calder Canal, ( also wheelchair accessible & another way of accessing Cromwell Bottom ) , follow the path back up to the signed gate leading to Cromwell Bottom . There is a Cafe , currently open on Sundays 10-4 .

Calder Canal has a few access points & can be accessed via the bridge at Cromwell Bottom if you're unfamiliar with any . A great trundle that is popular with everyone from dog walkers , cyclists ( who are politely requested to alert canal path users on approach ) to people just enjoying the relaxing atmosphere .  I am a regular on the Canal path ,also Cromwell Bottom . Just me & my camera , always uplifting .

By Alison Gillespie