A Walk around Meanwood Park and The Hollies with lunch at The Myrtle TavernWe absolutely LOVE Meanwood Park and the Hollies- there is so much for children to explore. PLUS the FABULOUS Myrtle Tavern which has a great (and super popular) beer garden, a play area and some rabbits in the garden. Just follow the road past the pub to lead down to Meanwood Park (where there’s also a play area). You can do a nice little loop walking along the Beck too!
A Walk around Woodlesford Lock and A Pub Lunch at The Two PointersOoooooh I was so excited to see The Two Pointers getting refurbished! Mainly because it makes a walk at Woodlesford Lock all the more exciting! From the Lock head past the Gruffalo and his friends towards Fishpond Lock and back down the other side. It’s about a mile each way. It’s buggy friendly, but you will need to lift your buggy up and down a step to cross the lock. You might also prefer to walk in the other direction towards Lemonroyd Marina, where you have the option of detouring over the hill for some lovely panoramic views in Water Haigh Woodland Park. The Two Pointers is in Woodlesford, just a short uphill stroll from the lock.
A walk around Waterloo lake at Roundhay park is a well worn route, but make sure you do try the Secret Gorge Walk, or explore the Woodlands. There is also some great trails for children courtesy of the Friends of Roundhay Park, which my daughter absolutely loved! The main paths through the parkland and around the lakes are all Buggy Friendly- but the woodland trails are not particularly great.
The Otley Chevin is a fantastic place for families to explore! Park at Surprise View (where unsurprisingly the views are simply glorious) before heading down the track to the woodland. Unfortunately the tracks from Surprise View are not Buggy friendly. There are a variety of routes and paths that you can take. Have a look at the map here for suggestions. The Royalty is positioned just behind the car park.
A walk from Heath with lunch at The King’s Arms
Heath, outside Wakefield is a picture perfect village with a rather fantastic pub (we originally found it by a google search of a cosy pub!). So it’s no surprise people flock to Heath Common to enjoy the surroundings. There are a number of walks that you can do from here; this 2.5 mile route is great length for more reluctant walkers, with a good variety of things to see!
Just past Lotherton Hall, you’ll find this absolutely cracking walk. Start at the track that goes uphill to the right of the pub, and follow it all the way to the road. Turn left and head into Saxton. At the white railings turn left and you’ll soon have two options; for a 3.5 mile walk, head up Milner Lane and then past Low lead farm. Alternatively you can simply follow the footpath across the fields back to the Crooked Billet’s carpark. There’s also a lovely little pub in Saxton if you wanted a half way drink!
This part of the canal is really lovely. You can keep it nice and easy with the flat, buggy friendly canal path there and back, or make it into a circular walk by returning on the river path. be warned this can get VERY muddy. You have two brilliant options for pubs, either The railway Inn at the start or The Stansfield Arms in Apperley bridge.
This Stanley Ferry walk (just North of Wakefield) starts along the canal, before you get to enjoy some woodland and a nature reserve! The three mile route is buggy friendly, although it can sometimes get muddy. You start and finish at the child-friendly Stanley Ferry pub, which is a Hungry Horse pub, has a play area, and attached to their main dining is a soft play if you wanted to treat your young children too!
The Bronte Falls Walk with lunch at the Wuthering Heights pub in Stanbury on your way round
This fabulous 8km walk starts in the beautiful Haworth (which also has a pretty good selection of country pubs!). It’s a great route if you want to introduce your family to some open countryside, or an easier hike as in points you really do feel a million miles away from Leeds. I would consider this a family hike because of a walk- as such it’s not suitable for buggies. The route passes through Stanbury where the lovely Wuthering Heights pub offers great food and great views.
The Harland way is a three mile route between Wetherby and Spofforth. It might be a little far to walk there and back with young families, so how about a family bike ride instead? The Castle at Spofforth is one of our favourite pubs, so is well worth a visit. Combine it with a little turn in the play area in Spofforth and an exploration of Spofforth Castle.
A walk around Langsett Reservoir with lunch at the Waggon & Horses
Oh I know this isn’t Leeds. And for a three mile walk is it really worth the drive? Yes, yes it absolutely is. I’d go as far to say this is my favourite family walk. And we do a lot. The car park can get pretty busy (because everyone loves it), but it is soooo worthwhile. Do you feel like I’m raving a bit? I am. It’s brill- it’s a walk with a bit of everything, but unfortunately definitely not buggy friendly.
Looking for more inspiration for walks around South Leeds? Have a look at the place where all the links live- right here! 🙂
