Magical green space survives amid Bradford's industrial M606 corridor

But that would be to reckon without the precious green lungs that can still be found along this southern approach to Bradford, if you look hard enough.

During the excellent Spring weather we've enjoyed recently, I've become particularly fond of one such area – Bierley Hall Woods.

Ducks on one of the tiered ponds within Bierley Woods With its series of tiered ponds, this area really is an unlikely haven of tranquility within a heavily industrialised area.

A layby on Rockhill Lane – a minute's drive from junction 2 of the M606 – provides the ideal starting point for a half-hour lunchtime stroll.

As I wandered past the bottom pond, I was startled briefly as a striking example of wildlife - possibly a grey heron - emerged from some rushes and scampered around the water's edge.

People walking past the ponds can expect to see some wildlife At this point, with the trees rustling and birds chirping, only the faint hum of a nearby industrial unit provided a reminder of the nearby factories.

Two or three people were fishing as they indulged in some merry banter as the sunlight dripped down through the dense woodland. Signs state that anyone fishing in this area must be a member of Bierley Angling Club.

As you reach the second pond – roughly parallel with the site of the long-demolished Bierley Hall – you could be forgiven for thinking you're in a rural retreat.

The woods provide an ideal retreat from the stresses of nearby city life At present, the pathway is dry as a bone, almost dusty, but it can be muddy going under foot in the winter months.

Continuing on beyond another pond, the path takes you alongside a stream, which looked alarmingly dry following the recent lack of rainfall.

It is this stream that was damned in order to create the series of artificial ponds that still exist today.

The stream towards the northern end of the woods has been looking increasingly dry Reaching a stile at the northern edge of the woods, I emerged from my tree-lined linear walk to be greeted by the sight of the giant Marks & Spencer Distribution Centre, which was built around 15 years ago by American company ProLogis.

Constructed on the former site of West Bowling's golf course, this building is perhaps the biggest visual reminder of the changing nature of the M606 corridor, with the loss of green space offset to some extent by job creation and the generation of business rates.

On my return walk past the Bierley ponds, I became increasingly curious as to how such an intriguing area came to be.

At the northern side of the woods, there's an immediate reminder of the industrial surroundings A very informative sign near the third pond gave me all the answers I needed.

"These grounds were once the ornamental gardens of Bierley Hall," the sign informed me.

Since the 16th century, Bierley had been the seat of a gentry family, the Richardsons.

A detailed sign provides curious visitors with plenty of interesting details The sign, installed by Bradford Council, continued: "Richardson the elder laid out a formal garden to the front of the house and created a large botanical garden which held almost 2000 species.

"To the west of the house was a steep sided valley with a stream, and it is likely that father and son worked together on the plan for this part of the grounds.

"Richardson the elder had begun planting the woods before 1740 but the landscaping that we can still see today was done by Richardson the younger and completed by 1751.

This image shows how the path hugs the edge of the tiered ponds "He damned the stream and created four artificial ponds. Next to the first pond he built a grotto or underground cave, and a 'Druid's Circle' using stones brought from Wibsey."

The sign states that the grotto was later blocked off but points out that the remains of the circle can still be seen.

A collection of stones that can be seen between two of the ponds During the 19th century, the house was tenanted, after which it was bought by the Borough of Bradford in 1895, becoming an isolation hospital.

The Ministry of Health took over ownership of the house in 1948 and the facility was finally replaced by a modern hospital in 1968, with demolition of the vacant hall following shortly afterwards.

So there we have it. If you're after a quick retreat from city life, a glance at a bit of local history or simply a peaceful woodland walk, you could do worse than visit this magical oasis.