From Woodlesford Lock, it’s a mile up to Fish Pond Lock. It’s on a private road, so perfect for prams and buggies. You can cross over the lock and return to Woodlesford on the other side, or come back through Rothwell country park. However ofย both these alternative return routes are on rubble tracks, so more difficult with a pram, and the country park includes a steep hill.
If you want to go further, you can start at Lemonroyd Marina, or walk all the way to Skelton Lake services. Read more here.
We love visiting Leeds’ biggest park! There’s lots for little ones to enjoy, and most of the paths are surfaced, so you can enjoy some great pram and buggy walks. There are a number of options to stop for something to eat, and a lovely play area for little ones at Lakeside. If you’re happy on tracks rather than tarmac, head up the secret gorge or walk around Waterloo Lake (just be aware this can get muddy and puddly!).
Read about the walks at Roundhay here.
Both of these fabulous RSPB sites have great walks of various lengths suitable for prams and buggies on rubble tracks.
At Fairburn Ings, we enjoy this 6km walk. There are a couple of hills and the track is grit/ rubble rather than smooth (so new babies may find it a little bumpy). But we’ve done it with a pram or buggy many a time and there have been no problems.
At St Aidans, please be warned that the initial walk from the car park at the visitors centre to the main walks on sites is down a hill (and what goes down must come up? ;-)) but the walks themselves are pretty flat and wide with lots of options to enjoy. Read more here.
If you want to explore more of the estate rather than just the duck ponds, then head out on some of the tracks. The views are glorious and you genuinely cant believe you’re between Halton and the M1! This is my favourite, and one that I’ve done so. many. times. with both children in buggies. It can sometimes get a little muddy in winter so be prepared, but the paths are nice and wide. It is a little hilly, but definitely doable.
The path around the Lake is great for prams and buggies, and if you want to explore a little further why not try this route which shows off the best of the park.
The Gnome Roam is one of our favourite walks with children, and if you are willing to push uphill at the start, one to enjoy with prams and buggies. Little ones can spot the gnomes (little legs can do the activities as they go round) and you can find the bear in the woods! If you’re after an easier stroll, stick to the path around the lake and stop off for a treat at the Boathouse cafe.
More on this route here.
Start at the visitor centre in Middleton Park (where’s there’s a well-positioned cafe too) and follow the woodland path towards Middleton Railway. You can take a parallel path on the other side of the stream back. The path isn’t flat, but not difficult and a good choice for prams. See more about Middleton Park here.
Yeadon Tarn doesnโt just have the excitement of lake and small nature trail, but also a picnic area, playground and best of all overhead aeroplanes! So it’s a great place to visit if you have a new toddler who will be in and out of a buggy. Park at the carpark on Cemetery Road and follow the path around the side of the tarn. Nice and short, around a mile to walk.
Canal paths are a great place to venture with a buggy, and you can go for as long (or as short) as you like! We’ve mentioned the canal path at Woddlesford Lock, but at West Leeds there’s also some lovely spots with nice smooth paths to follow- perfect for a pram walk! We love the stretch between Calverly and Apperley Bridge, but just be aware if you want to pop to the pub there are a small set of steps you’ll need to lift your buggy up to. If you’re just turning around on the path itself, it’s totally flat.
If you fancy a bit of a more challenging walk, this pram walk is just less than 5 miles long and is pretty hilly! But the paths are suitable for robust buggies and many a time the Muddy Boots Baby Walking Group has enjoyed this route! Lovely surroundings, and you can stop at the Muddy Boots Cafe for a treat (and baby change!).