Denby Dale, Cannon Hall and Gunthwaite Hall

The area of the walk takes in the rolling countryside on the edge of the Pennine Moors in the county of South Yorkshire and includes a number of historical sites and points of interest as follows. Denby Dale is famous for its giant pies which have been made to celebrate major events in the nation’s history. The last pie was part of the millennium celebrations. The village hall is named Pie Hall. The Emley Moor TV mast dominates the area and is the largest unsupported structure in the UK being built of concrete. It was constructed in 1971 replacing a previous cylindrical mast which collapsed. It is also the national operations base from which the entire UK broadcast  transmitter network is controlled. Cannon Hall is owned by Barnsley Council and houses a museum, it was built by the Spencer family whose wealth was derived from the iron and coal industry of South Yorkshire. Entry to the grounds and hall is free - car parking £3. The grounds are home to the Cannon Hall Petting Farm. The Spencer family also built Cawthorne close by who closely controlled its development. It is now an up-market residential area and well worth a visit in its own right. A blue plaque commemorates the siting of Cannon Hall Military Camp originally built to house British troops evacuated from Dunkirk. Gunthwaite Hall Barn dates from 1550, has stone walls and is 30ft high. Massive timbers support the roof which are held together entirely with wooden pegs. Gunthwaite Mill was a manorial corn mill and was recored in 1348. The present mill dates from 17c. and closed in 1956.