Penistone Boundary Walk
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View the Penistone Boundary Walk in a larger map on the main Google site. Photos taken in the area are also available on that page - click the drop-down menu (starts with "traffic") on the right of the map for more options.
Please note that the route is for guidance only. If you spot any errors please notify us and we will make corrections as soon as possible.
The Route
Parish boundaries were very important, and marked the limits of land ownership.
Nowadays these can be easily found from maps, but before, it was necessary for everyone to know where these boundaries were in case of dispute.
An annual tradition emerged of ‘Beating the Bounds’ which was linked to the church as a religious ceremony known as ‘Rogationtide’ to pray for good crops throughout the year.
The walk took place five weeks after Easter. So that the boundaries were never forgotten, young boys were beaten or bumped against boundary stones, thrown in brambles or even in the river at set points - these young men were then never likely to forget where the boundary lay!
This walk takes in much of the immediate beautiful landscape around Penistone and a detailed description and narrative can be downloaded from the links on the right.
Details and information
Distance:
15 miles (as calculated by Google Maps)
Places on the route or nearby:
Cubley, Penistone, Hoylandswaine, Scout Dyke Reservoir, Moor Royd Reservoir, Millhouse Green, Bullhouse, Hartcliffe (and tower).
Facilities: Parking, refreshments and the usual facilities can all be found at cubley Hall.
Links and other info:
Click here for a low-resolution version of the narrative and original leaflet's map.
Click here for a high-resolution version of the narrative and original leaflet's map.
Please note that the orginal leaflet is now out of print although the text and the map in the PDFs is lifted directly from it.