14/11/2025
If you’ve ever visited Oakwell Hall, you might have heard locals refer to the nearby Warrens Lane as the “Bloody Lane.” The name isn’t just spooky folklore, it stems from a real piece of history.
Back in 1643, during the Battle of Adwalton Moor, Parliamentarian forces were defeated by the Royalists, during a three hour siege.
As the retreating soldiers fled the battlefield, many are believed to have passed along what is now Warrens Lane, wounded and struggling, leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. Over time, this grim moment in history gave the lane its chilling nickname.
It is said that some parliamentarians, took it upon themselves to seek revenge on the royalist household at Oakwell whilst passing, by breaking into the hall, looking for Captain John Batt.
It's not clear if Batt was there or not. Apparently his wife was, along with their newborn baby and nurse. It is said the terrified nurse fled to Pontefract with the baby until it was safe to return.
According to local legend, the apparition of a woman with a baby, has been seen in the woodland, near the stream, was this the nurse who was trying to flee?
Today, Warrens Lane is a peaceful path through the Oakwell Hall Country Park, but its past is a reminder of the battles that shaped this part of West Yorkshire.
Next time you walk along Warren Lane, remember, history has left its mark here, long before it became part of a scenic country park.
Credit: Oakwell Hall Country Park
