Walking from Pudsey to Tong – The Bankhouse to The Greyhound

It was pushing 30 degrees today but I finished work early and decided I felt like a walk. Not too long but a good test of my endurance at least. I’ve really fallen out of practice with walking thanks to this heat wave and not being able to walk our dog as far as usual! So I decided to test myself with a short albeit slightly challenging hike through Fulneck Valley.

If you’re looking for a quick walk near Pudsey, West Yorkshire, completable in less than 60 minutes – This is the one for you!

Starting at The Bankhouse; a beautiful pub I’ve visited many times before, I headed down the path opposite the pub’s beer garden.

This is called Lower Bankhouse and is used as a road for a couple of cottages down here. It’s fairly steep and has beautiful views overlooking Fulneck Valley. I’ve walked this many times and have often seen animals in the fields. Today in the sweltering head of August, there were just a couple of horses out.

Walking down the hill it leads into the woods and I knew it would be a good choice as the walk is mostly shaded. Predominately downhill to begin with I knew that not only would I soon be walking uphill at the other side, but i’d also have this hill to walk back up. Today’s route wasn’t circular and would involve me walking back the way I came!

Eventually I came to a crossroads. There are multiple options here and I could take the path that takes me right towards Black Carr woods.

Or, I could turn left leading me through Fulneck Valley and onwards to Post Hill. This would eventually lead me home if I walked long enough!

But today I was going for the path straight ahead to Tong.

I knew I was going the right way once I crossed the little bridge over the stream where people were paddling with their dog in the shade.

After crossing the bridge I started to walk up the hill where I was asked about which way it was to the waterfall. I’ve walked this neck of the woods hundreds of times and I couldn’t for the life of me think what waterfall they were talking about. Do you know Fulneck Valley and know the one? Please let me know in the comments! Sadly I couldn’t help them but I sent them in the right direction for Black Carr Woods and they were happy.

Heading up the hill I really started to feel the heat. Luckily I brought water with me and I was able to continue. Eventually I came out at the lovely Keeper Cottage. This is always a good sight to see because it means you’ve reached the top of the hill!

The views from here stretch across fields and the beautiful surroundings of Tong. I love this part of Yorkshire, nestled so closely to the cities of Bradford and Leeds.

Heading along Keeper Lane I came out in the Village of Tong. There is an ice cream farm here if you turn left as you reach the main road. It’s called Goodalls of Tong and I visited here in June for my daughters birthday. It’s a very cute local farm shop offering homemade ice cream and a small animal park. Great spot to visit but it wouldn’t be where I was heading today.

Instead, I turned right at the main road leading me to The Greyhound.

I’ve had my eye on this pub since walking Fulneck back in lockdown 2020. We always used to see it closed and say we’d head there when it re-opens. Of course time runs away with us these days and I’ve never made the time to visit. Until today..

What a beautiful gem of a pub. Classic pub interior that I love and what an incredible outdoor beer garden! I ordered a pint of Coke Zero in an attempt to clench my thirst and perched in a sunny spot out front.

Within 5 minutes I was talking to a local about ashtrays. This is the reason I go to pubs. Nothing beats local banter. I lasted about ten minutes before I was sweltering and made my way to the back instead. I’m so glad I did because it was pleasantly peaceful and shaded.

As you can see by my scenic spot in the shade, i’ve finished my coke. So now it’s time to head back the way I came and return to my car parked near The Bankhouse in Pudsey. From Pudsey to Tong and back – A simple route that combines a beautiful woods walk with great views and two pubs. What more could one ask for?