Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax, a scenic trail for a walk, or a new place to meet a friend, Leeds offers a variety of parks and green spaces for everyone. Here’s your guide to discovering these natural treasures in and close to Leeds.
What green spaces does Leeds have on offer?
Want to know where to start? Leeds City Council’s website has lots of useful pages, with addresses, information about the place, links to maps and access information. You can explore:
- great walks in Leeds, like the Leeds Country Way and Wetherby Railway Path
- local parks, like Armley, Meanwood and Potternewton
- major parks, such as Roundhay, Golden Acre and Temple Newsam
- nature reserves, including Breary March and Wyke Beck Valley
If you’re not sure about how to get there, visit the plan a journey page on the West Yorkshire Metro website.
Need more inspiration for walks?
Leeds List has ideas for walks in green spaces in the local area, including:
- family-friendly walks within an hour of Leeds, including the Castle Hill Circular
- nature reserves you never knew were there from Townclose Hills to Ledsham Bank
- reviving walks within an hour of Leeds, such as the Lines Way
They’ve also got blogs about walks that are best in spring or winter, challenging hikes and places to take your dog.
If you’re travelling around Leeds or West Yorkshire, you can use the journey planner (above) for bus and train routes and timetables. You can also find out about tickets and passes, including Daysavers and Family tickets.
What other activities can I do?
If you’re looking for more inspiration in Leeds and the surrounding areas, you could pretend to be a tourist and plan a trip with the help of Visit Leeds! They have ideas for visiting:
- historic houses and estates – there might be a charge, especially for houses
- parks and gardens, which are usually free to visit
- the countryside, with local trails, trips to the Yorkshire Dales or even the seaside
There is a range of maps and trails, including Leeds Waterfront Map, and plenty of ideas if you fancy exploring the outdoors but want to stay in the city centre area.
Don’t forget to look for discounts to places in Leeds, such as museums and historic houses, with Leeds Card for adults and Breeze Pass for children and young people under 19. You can also find out about visiting Kirkstall Abbey for free if you’re a Leeds resident.
You could also explore the waterways of Leeds with The Canal and River Trust website. They have suggestions for places to visit for walks or cycling, and details of how to enjoy being by the water, including:
- Canal and river wildlife, with information about appreciating nature, inlcuding a free guide you can download.
- Local to you helps you find waterways in your local area, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
- Safety on our waterways helps you know how you, your family or pets can stay safe.
You can also download a free pack called Find out about… Water and Wellbeing, which has ideas to keep active, be mindful and more.
What about exploring nature outside of Leeds?
There are lots of websites to help you find parks and green spaces around the UK, including:
- Farm Garden which allows you to search by post code or city for urban farms
- Free Parks, with details of playgrounds and parks across the UK – you can search by local area
- National Parks, with information and links to all the UK national parks, such as the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District
- RSPB helps you find places to see birds and wildlife in the UK to and tips to connect with nature
- The Wildlife Trusts, which lists nature reserves around the UK and links to local area websites