Visitor Information
Whistlestop Valley is open most weekends, Bank Holidays & daily during most local school holidays
We are also open on selected term-time Mondays and Fridays for our exclusive Young Engineers days!
2024 Calendar
Please see below for our 2024 calendar.
When the box is greyed out, Whistlestop Valley is closed to the public.
Key
Orange:
January Jay Day
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Yellow:
Young Engineers Days
Red:
Special Events (click here for more information)
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Green/Pink:
Big Adventures & Little Adventures general admission
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Purple:
Winter Adventure
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Pink timetable (BIG Adventure) departs at:
10:20, 11:30, 12:40, 13:50, 15:10
Green timetable (BIG Adventure) departs at:
10:30, 11:10, 11:50, 12:30, 13:10, 13:50. 14:30, 15:10, 15:50
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Winter Adventure (coming in November):
Return train rides to Skelmanthorpe (only) departing Clayton West at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30 & 15:30
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Young Engineers Day:
Return train rides to Cuckoo's Nest (only) departing Clayton West every 30 minutes from 10:15 to 14:45
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We reserve the right to change and alter our opening dates at short notice and without warning. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
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We advise booking tickets in advance as availability on the day is not guaranteed, particularly for special events.
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Parking
Whistlestop Valley has a large, free car park located at:
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Clayton West Station,
Park Mill Way,
Clayton West,
West Yorkshire
HD8 9XJ
The car park entrance has a 2m height restriction barrier. To gain access for taller vehicles, please park up on Park Mill Way and ask a member of entrance staff for assistance.
Please note that there are no car parking facilities located at Shelley Station. Please do not attempt to access Shelley Station by car/vehicle.
Map
Directions
By Road
The sat nav postcode for Clayton West Station is HD8 9XJ.
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From the north:
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From M1 junction 39, follow A636 towards Denby Dale
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Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway from West Bretton roundabout
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Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate
From the south:
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From M1 junction 38, follow A637 towards Huddersfield
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Turn left onto the A636 towards Denby Dale at West Bretton roundabout
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Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway
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Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate
From Huddersfield:
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Take the A629 from the centre of Huddersfield towards Sheffield for around 8 miles
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Turn left onto the A636 towards Denby Dale/Wakefield
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Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway/Scenic Railway
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Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate
Whistlestop Valley has a large, free car park located at Clayton West Station, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, West Yorkshire HD8 9XJ.
By Bus
Frequent bus services operate from Huddersfield and Wakefield through Clayton West.
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From Huddersfield Bus Station, service number 233/D1 operates to Clayton West
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From Wakefield Bus Station, services 435 & 436 operate to Clayton West
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For detailed timetables, visit the WY Metro website
By Rail
Denby Dale Railway Station is the nearest rail station to Clayton West, situated approx. 3 miles away. This station requires a short bus ride or taxi ride to Clayton West.
A walking route is signposted by waymarkers between Shepley Station (mainline) and Shelley Station.
There are no car parking facilities located at Shelley Station but walkers are welcome to arrive at that station.
The address is: Copley Lane, Shelley, Huddersfield HD8 8LZ.
Alternative mainline railway stations are Huddersfield and Wakefield, where bus services are available from the bus stations which are listed above.
For more information regarding journey planning please visit
WYMetro, First TransPennine Express, Trainline or National Rail.
Accommodation
Looking to extend your stay in Huddersfield after an exciting day at Whistlestop Valley?
Travelodge Wakefield Woolley Edge M1 Northbound is only a 16 minute drive away with the village of Woolley nearby, and all standard double rooms include a comfy king size bed. For other Travelodge hotels in Huddersfield, click here.
Escape The Woodman Inn, where you'll find everything you need for a relaxing night after visiting us. From deluxe cottages perfect for families, to pub classics and a cosy fireplace to warm up by, you'll feel right at home in their charming country inn. Plus, with a selection of dog-friendly rooms, even your furry friends can join in on the fun.
We're dog friendly!
Well-behaved pooches are very welcome at Whistlestop Valley on general admissions days and are permitted to travel free-of-charge on the Kirklees Light Railway. All we ask is that book your dog a ticket.
Dogs are allowed inside the facilities (except the playgrounds and jumping pillow) and our eateries but they must be kept under control and on a short leash.
For the safety & comfort of all our canine & human guests, we respectfully request that dogs are left at home on special event days (unless specifically stated otherwise on the event page).
Guide dogs & other dogs used by our visitors for special
reasons are always welcome.