Starting at Lemonroyd Marina, walk to the fabulous family friendly Rivers Meet Cafe in Methley. It’s a mile each way (walk back on the other side of the river), or extend it by walking around St Aidans. In dry weather it’s a buggy-friendly route, but it can get muddy after a lot of rain! More walks from Lemonroyd Marina here.
With three hours free parking at Skelton Lake services, you have plenty of time to do the short 2km loop of Skelton Lake and enjoy the delights of Sourced Market. If you fancy something longer, you could also walk to Woodlesford Lock.
There are loads of walks around Temple Newsam for families, with different lengths and difficulties. The Temple Newsam cafe is open, with a wide range of sweet and savoury treats. Public toilets also available.
Whether you choose to walk towards Robin Hood and back from Rothwell, or do a more circular route of Rothwell Pastures, make sure you grab something tasty from Gray’s of Rothwell on commercial street.
Oakwell Hall has some lovely walks, including buggy friendly paths and a playarea. If you download the Love Explore app you can also see Winter Fairies and Dinosaurs! There’s a great cafe selling hot and cold drinks and treats too! Read about walks at Oakwell Hall Country Park here.
Heath is a lovely place to start walks, with the Southern Washlands Nature Reserve adding to the charms of Heath Common. This is a great 2.5 mile family walk. The fantastic King’s Arms has a great beer garden for families once it is able to open properly again.
Enjoy a beautiful (although muddy!) walk around Oulton Hall’s perimeter, though great woodland which have the most incredible bluebells in Spring! Pop out at the Pavillion Cafe at Springhead park or head up the drive to the hotel, who are serving refreshments at weekends.
Not only is Newmillerdam a fantastic place to enjoy the Gnome Roam, one of Wakefield’s great story trails, it is also home to the Boathouse, a beautiful cafe on the edge of the lake. Fab food in a fab location.
For more suggestions of walks and cycling around South Leeds, click here.
