This is absolutely my family’s go to place for a walk. The paths are almost all accessible to both buggies and little bikes, with bridleways also running through if you want a family bike ride. Just be warned that one of the main paths is a causeway- so can be covered after heavy rain. You can expect some glorious views and unsurprisingly lots of wildlife spotting opportunities!
St Aidan’s
For more information and a route suggestion, head to the Muddy Boots Mummy website.
Too often I think visitors to Temple Newsam stick to the gardens next to the house for a stroll. But the estate is a FANTASTIC place to explore, and I spent much of my maternity leave exploring the woodland and less-trodden paths! There’s a nature trail to follow, which takes in the woodland and viewpoint accessible from Bullerthorpe Lane, or try a 3.5km Buggy route following this route (just be warned some of the tracks can get pretty muddy).
Temple Newsam Estate
Between Lemonroyd Marina and the popular Woodlesford Lock is the brilliant Water Haigh Woodland Park, which has a number of paths that you can take. A lovely circular route starts at the carpark just across from Lemonroyd Bridge (opposite the old depot). Follow the road to where a path head slightly uphill through some woodland. You’ll cross a field with some glorious views across to Swillington and over Woodlesford before dropping back to the canal. Enjoy seeing the Gruffalo at Woodlesford Lock, before walking back along the canal to the carpark. If you have a buggy, avoid the field and just walk along the canal there and back on either side.
Lemonroyd Marina
A lovely 6km walk around Fairburn Ings is combining the Green and Blue trails on the site map- further description here. There are lovely views and the paths are gritted, so perfect for buggies!
Fairburn Ings
The new Skelton Lake services is perfectly placed to walk around Skelton Lake. A lap is just 2kn, so great for little legs. At the back of the services , beyond the play area you’ll find the exit onto a track. Turn right and follow the track until you see the Lake. After this, turn off onto the grassy path that goes through a wooden gateway and follow it all around the Lake until you return to the start! Where the path forks you can follow either path BUT the one closer to the Lake can get EXTREMELY muddy. Finish your walk with a short play in the play area and fuel up at Sourced Market. You can also walk to Skelton Lake from Woodlesford Lock.
Skelton Lake
Next time you head to Lotherton, make sure you have a wander on the Boundary Walk! It can get muddy, so avoid buggies unless you’re going in summer. After walking through Captain’s Wood, the route takes you behind the orchard towards the Deer Park- and passes a little stone circle!
Lotherton’s Stone Circle
This is actually called Townclose Hills Nature Reserve, but is more locally known as Billy Wood. There are two short marked routes around this small nature reserve, or you can just follow your own path. It’s a brilliant place for children to explore- but is not buggy friendly. Park at Kippax Leisure Centre.
Billy Wood
Are we missing one of your favourite circular walks in East Leeds? Drop me an email to let me know!
