Whistlestop Valley, formerly the Kirklees Light Railway and cafe, 57 Station Road, Skelmanthorpe, Clayton West, Yorkshire HD8 9AU

Details

Accessibility

https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/accessibility

October 2025: "There is wheelchair access to all public areas of Whistlestop Valley, and as of summer 2025, we now have an accessible carriage. If you are wishing to book this, please send an email to info@whistlestopvalley.co.uk before booking online.

Foldable wheelchairs can be transported on board, however we recommend that wheelchair users email Whistlestop Valley prior to their visit.

All visitors should be advised that flashing and/or strobe lighting may be used at special events. Visitors with light sensitive conditions should contact Whistlestop Valley in advance for advice if they feel this may be an issue during their visit.

The main road outside the attraction has a wide level tarmac path. 

• There are three (3) designated Blue Badge car parking spaces marked by signs, which are 50m from the main entrance

• The car park is tarmac with some uneven surfaces/areas

• The footpath from the car park to the Ticket Office has a tarmac surface on a slight gradient

• Lighting is present in the car park and along the footpaths to the main entrance

• Customers are encouraged to be dropped off in the car park and walk to the Ticket Office. However, if required, customers can be dropped off at the Station Building via the access road at the far side of the car park.  Please ask a member of staff for assistance in opening the access gate

• No raised kerbs are present

Toilets at Clayton West are located on the ground floor with level access from the main entrance near to the Ticket Office/Shop.

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A separate, unlocked, unisex accessible toilet is available with the following description:

• An easy open door with a width of 94cm/37ins

• 61cm/24ins transfer space to the left of the toilet when facing the toilet

• The toilet height is 41cm/16ins

• There is a vertical hand rail to the left of the toilet and a horizontal handrail to the right of the toilet when facing the toilet

• There is a vertical handrail to the left of the basin

• The toilet is well lit with overhead lighting

• The floor surface is flat, painted concrete

• There are lever taps on the sink

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The Firebox Cafe (Clayton West):

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• The Firebox cafe at Clayton West is situated on the ground floor within the main building and is level throughout

• There is limited access to manoeuvre a wheelchair through some areas of the seating area within The Firebox cafe

• The cafe has a range of tables at height of approx 71cm/28ins 

• The cafe has metal dining chairs with upright backs and no arm rests. All tables and chairs are moveable

• The counter is accessible with no glass screens to aid lip reading and visitors with a visual impairment 

• The area is evenly lit using natural daylight and overhead lighting

• The flooring in the cafe is painted concrete

• Due to the nature of our business, we cannot guarantee that the food prepared on the premises is free from allergenic ingredients.

• Toilets and accessible toilet available on the same floor next to the Shop

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Shop: ​

• There is a shop with a range of souvenirs and toys which can be accessed in the main building

• The Shop counter is accessible with no glass screens to aid lip reading and visitors with a visual impairment

• A pen and paper is available at the Shop

• Whistlestop Valley has one (1) wheelchair which can be loaned out free of charge

• The shop is level throughout with ample room within for wheelchairs to manoeuvre

• There are a mixture of tall display racks and variant level units which are all mostly accessible from a seated position although some assistance may be required for the higher shelves

• There is usually background music playing 

• The majority of the items on sale are clearly priced

• Staff are able to provide assistance if required

Accessible Carriage ​: ​

• Holds up to two small wheelchairs or one large wheelchair, along with up to 4 family members. 

• Must be booked in advance due to availability, contact info@whistlestopvalley.co.uk before booking tickets. 

• Toilets at Shelley Station are located on the ground floor by The Turntable dessert parlour

• A separate unlocked, unisex accessible toilet is available through an external door next to The Turntable dessert parlour

• An easy-open door with a width of 83 cm/33ins

• 152cm/60ins transfer space to the front of the toilet when facing the toilet

• The toilet height is 43cm/17ins

• There is a horizontal handrail to the left of the toilet and a vertical handrail next to the sink

• The toilet is well lit with automatic lighting

• The floor surface is flat with none slip lino

• There is an emergency pull cord which sounds in The Turntable dessert parlour​"

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistlestop_Valley

2025: "Whistlestop Valley, formerly the Kirklees Light Railway, is a visitor attraction featuring a 3 +1⁄2-mile (5.6 km) long 15 in (381 mm) gauge minimum-gauge railway. The attraction's main site is in the village of Clayton West in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England which was first opened to the public on 19 October 1991, with a second, smaller site in a rural area near the village of Shelley.

The railway at Whistlestop Valley runs along the trackbed of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway's former branch line, from Clayton West via Skelmanthorpe to Shelley Woodhouse (a few yards close to the former Clayton West Junction[4] 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km), near Shepley) on the Penistone line from Huddersfield to Sheffield via Penistone and Barnsley.

From 1991 to 2021 the attraction was known as the Kirklees Light Railway. In June 2021, the attraction was rebranded under the name Whistlestop Valley[5] but retains the name Kirklees Light Railway for its 15-inch railway operation.[6] "

Address

Kirklees Light Railway and cafe, 57 Station Road, Skelmanthorpe, Clayton West, Yorkshire HD8 9AU

+ Whistlestop Valley Clayton West Station,

Park Mill Way

Clayton West

Huddersfield HD8 9XJ

Email

info@whistlestopvalley.co.uk

Phone

01484 865727

Website

https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/   

Directions

"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.

By Road:  The sat nav postcode for Clayton West Station is HD8 9XJ.

Whistlestop Valley has a large, free car park located at Clayton West Station, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, West Yorkshire HD8 9XJ."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/visitor-information

Transport

2025: "Frequent bus services operate from Huddersfield and Wakefield through Clayton West.

 From Huddersfield Bus Station, service number D1 Denby Darts operates to Clayton West

• From Wakefield Bus Station, services X1 Holmfirth Explorer operate to Clayton West

• For detailed timetables, visit the WY Metro website

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. "

Amenities

Cafe

Disability Parking

Disability Toilets

Shop

Parking

Toilets