Rachel from Muddy Boots Mummy has kindly shared her picks of the best walks to do in and around Leeds with younger children.
Here are five of my favourite family walks! They all have free parking and are less than 5km in distance.
**Please note this blog was written before COVID and amenities and play areas are likely to be closed, we advise checking prior to visiting**
The two-mile nature trail here is an absolute gem. It does have some steep and uneven paths, but this adds to its allure -and stunning views! There are alternative paths available if you want to use a buggy (see accessibility map here). The facilities are great -including a lovely café and there is lots to see to keep little ones interested on the way round. The trail is easy to follow and there are plenty of places to stop and picnic. For more details click here.
This is home to the brilliant Room on the Broom trail and is well worth the visit. You can pick up an activity pack from the visitor’s centre for just £2, where you can also buy bags of bird feed for the ducks . Walking round the reservoir is two miles and is suitable for buggies and bikes. On your walk, you can keep entertained by spotting the carvings and completing the various tasks. There’s a decent playground and toilets at the centre, with lots of picnic benches dotted about. Often there is also a catering van for drinks. For more details click here
Top tip: If you’re a fan of a good country pub and haven’t ever visited The King’s Arms in Heath, swing by on the way home, it’s one of our favourites!
These woods are absolutely gorgeous, and if you get there soon you should get to see the magnificent carpets of bluebells. We based our walk on the linked route below (that takes in Ilkley’s Riverside and a play area) but walked anticlockwise and shortened it to around two miles by walking down Hardings Lane. It’s not a buggy-friendly route, so if little legs get tired be prepared to carry them! Find the map of the 3 mile route here
There are lots of trails and paths around this gorgeous estate to explore. The Buggy-friendly 3.5km circular route (highlighted in the picture) passes the front of the house and down the treelined avenue to enjoy walking past some of the estate’s fields. Head past Little Temple and return to the House from the direction of Colton Farm, where you can join the path next to the Lakes and Rhododendron Walk! Find out more here.
There are a variety of walks starting from here including a canal walk to Methley and a visit to St. Aiden’s RSPB reserve. In the opposite direction, an easy family-friendly two-mile route starts at the carpark and follows the road (North West) up to the next lock. You can cross the canal here and walk back on the other side between the canal and the river. Spot the wooden Gruffalo sculptures at the start of the walk, and enjoy looking at the canal boats. If you’re lucky you might even catch one of the locks in action! This walk is suitable for most buggies, but might be muddy in places. There are no real facilities here (although a catering van sometimes parks up in the carpark), but Woodlesford has a few cafes and pubs that could be visited.
For further details on all of these walks, as well as others around Leeds and elsewhere in Yorkshire visit my blog www.muddybootsmummy.blog. Find out about new ones that we’re discovering by following my Facebook Page or on Instagram.
