I was a walker long before I discovered caching and this is a series of 26 caches a half way and final bonus placed around the village of Kirkheaton a local walk which was always one of my favourites It takes in lovely views of Castle Hill, Emley Mast and Black Dicks Temple but can get very muddy underfoot in places so good footwear is a necessity. It is quite hilly in some parts and therefore not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. You could stop halfway for lunch or a drink in "The Hare & Hounds" ( Its all downhill from here). There is a couple of big gaps in the series but there are other caches in these areas you can pick up along the way You will need to collect numbers along the way in order to be able to find the half way and final bonus - nothing complicated. Below is a brief history of the village of Kirkheaton. Enjoy!
Kirkheaton has been known as Yetton, Heton and Heptone over the years. Its modern name was not adopted until the building of St John's church (which you will pass on route) in the valley below the hamlet of Upper Heaton. The parish also contained the townships of Dalton, Lepton and Upper Whitley. Kirkheaton became a parish in its own right (it was once part of Dewsbury) around 1200.
It was some time in the ninth century that people first began settling in the area and the place was mentioned in the Domesday book. The Beaumonts of Whitley became Lords of the Manor. Across from the church stands the Beaumont Arms on the site of the old Manor Court, where you can enjoy a pint and good food.
The Beaumont family lived in the area for over four hundred years and contributed to the growth of the parish and the welfare of the parishioners. Richard Beaumont, together with one Reverend Stock built Kirkheaton Grammar School in 1610 to educate Kirkheaton’s boys. Black Dick, Sir Richard Beaumont, was born in 1574. He was Knighted in 1609 by King James I who gave him the name "Black Dick of the North". He was MP for Pontefract in 1625 and was created a baronet on 16th August 1628. He died in 1631 and lies in the Beaumont Chapel of Kirkheaton Church.
Yetton Rant, a local fair which has been held for more than 100 years, takes place every Spring Bank Holiday in the fields next to the Beaumont Arms, which is still known locally by its old name ‘Kirk Stile.