In the footsteps of Anne Lister (brisk pace)

A brisk paced historic 13-mile walk starting from Claremont Road in Halifax and following in the footsteps of diarist, entrepreneur and lesbian Anne Lister (1791-1840), of Gentleman Jack TV series fame, and her lifelong partner Ann Walker. The walk starts in the attractive Shibden Valley and takes in the villages of Northowram, Coley and Lightcliffe (where Ann Walker is buried) and the cemetery of that old church with its elaborate and clearly expensive tombstones, obviously of the local gentry, and QR codes leading to explanations.

We will continue along the old unpaved coaching road/track between Cliffe Hill and Crow’s Nest, where Ann Walker used to live, so she will have travelled up that track many times on foot or in a horse and carriage. The walk then follows the Magna Via, an ancient route with setts which once was the main ‘road’ into Halifax and then onto Beacon Hill with its beacon and fantastic views over Halifax. Following a route Anne Lister would have often used we then pass through Shibden Hall estate past the house, before returning to the start point along a path which passes by the Memorial Puzzle Stone.

This will be a joint walk with the Walk This Way group.

Please bring walking boots, packed lunch, plenty of water and waterproofs in case of bad weather.