Upper Town (or Overtown) as shown on the 1852 Ordnance Survey Map.
The Balk is at the top, with High Field Lane connecting it with Sike Lane.
The old North Midland Railway runs north-south on the left of the map, entering the tunnel near the bottom. The line is still in use for freight traffic.
The disused Barnsley Canal is on the right, this is the stretch from around the canal summit in Walton to just south of Haw Park Bridge at the Stoneheaps Cutting.
The canal summit (Lock 15) is just above Walton Hall Bridge.
Farmland at Overtown, Walton. Photographed from the southern end of The Balk.
©John S. Sargent, 2nd June 2007 |
 Shown on old maps as Highfield Lane. This lane meets Sike Lane and then becomes a track that crosses the high fields toward the railway line and Briery Hall. The track is a public footpath.
The houses are at the southern end of The Balk, Walton. ©John S. Sargent, 2nd May 2004
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 Horses (and sheep) may safely graze.
Overtown Grange Farm.
© John S Sargent, 15th March 2003 |
Overtown Grange Farmhouse is a Grade II Listed building dating from the late 17th century, find out more on Images of England.
IoE Number: 342349
Location: OVERTOWN GRANGE FARMHOUSE, THE BALK,
WALTON, WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE
Date listed: 27 August 1986 |
 View of distant Wakefield from the stile on Public Right of Way Walton No. 6.
© John S Sargent, 20th February 2010. |
 Back in 1995 the stables provided a des. res. for horses; now the stables have been converted into houses. |
 A White Christmas in Walton.
© John S Sargent, 24th March 2009 |
 Manta at the stables, Overtown Grange Farm.
© John S Sargent, 1997. |
 Snack time at the farm.
Stand well clear of the exploding apple!
© John S Sargent, 1997. |
 A crock of gold nearby?
© John S Sargent, 11th March 2003. |
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View across the fields to Rose Farm with Woodthorpe (Sandal) in the distance.
© John Sargent 17th April 2008. |
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View across the fields to Overtown Grange Farm.
© John Sargent 17th April 2008 |
Rose Farm, Walton. The track is a public footpath leading from the Balk to Overtown Grange Farm.
© John Sargent 20th February 2010. |
Rose Farm dates from the mid-17th century. The farmhouse and its barn and attached outbuildings are Grade II Listed Buildings, find out more on Images of England.
IoE Number: 342347
Location: ROSE FARMHOUSE, THE BALK (west off),
WALTON, WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE
Date listed: 20 January 1975
Date of last amendment: 20 January 1975
IoE Number: 342348
Location: BARN AND ATTACHED OUTBUILDINGS
Date listed: 20 January 1975
Date of last amendment: 20 January 1975
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 Rose Farm, Walton. The track is a public footpath leading from the Balk to Overtown Grange Farm via a stile on the left.
© John Sargent 20th February 2010. |
-s.jpg) View across the fields from the Balk to Rose Farm.
© John Sargent 17th April 2008 |
 Gulls in hot pursuit of a tractor by Sike Lane, Walton.
© John S Sargent, 15th March 2010 |
 Snow covered farmland towards Rose Farm.
© John S Sargent, 24th December 2009.
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View of the southern end of The Balk.
© John S Sargent, 15th March 2010. |
-2003-07-11-s.jpg) A hedgerow tree, floating above the road. Highfield Lane (The Balk). This lane, together with Sike Lane, forms the public bridleway for the Trans Pennine Trail.
© John S Sargent, 11th July 2003. |
 Traveller's Rest - a bench for the weary at the top of the hill. Sike Lane, Walton. The public bridleway goes to the left towards Haw Park Woods; to the right is a public footpath (Highfield Lane) across farmland towards Chevet.
© John S Sargent, 7th August 2004. |
 Haw Park Bridge above the canal cutting at Stoneheaps Plantation, Sike Lane, Walton. The public bridleway turns to the right towards Haw Park Woods; to the left on this side of the bridge a public footpath joins the Trans Pennine Trail on the old towpath for the Barnsley Canal.
© John S Sargent, 7th July 2005. |
 A fleeting glimpse of a grass snake (Natrix natrix) as it disappears over the side of the Barnsley Canal cutting at Stoneheaps Plantation. These snakes have also been seen at Walton Colliery Nature Park. 16th April 2011.
Grass Snakes are harmless and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It is an offence to kill, harm or injure them, sell or trade them in any way.
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The grass snake prefers rough land and pasture, often close to a standing body of water. With the canal, lakes and reservoirs in the Walton area, it is not surprising that the snake lives in these parts.
It feeds almost exclusively on amphibians, and some may also eat small fish. The snake is an occasional garden visitor. It is non-venomous and should be left to get on with its life in peace.
Sometimes the grass snake is confused with the adder (viper). The Adder has a more thickset body, a distinct zigzag stripe down its back and a V or X shape marking on the head, and a vertically slit pupil. The grass snake has a round pupil.
More information and pictures may be found at:
Reptiles and Amphibians of the U.K. |
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