Please remember to stay local and follow government guidelines.
Meanwood Park is a true gem of North Leeds, with some beautiful walks! Our favourite is the loop of Meanwood Park and the Hollies, just short of 4km. It’s on decent paths but is not buggy friendly. A description of the route is on this Meanwood Valley Walk download (Route 4) Head to the Three Cottages Cafe situated at the carpark on Green Road for tasty treats and one of those oh-so-good hot chocolates!
There are LOTS of walks to enjoy at Roundhay Park, so make sure you do more than a loop of the cricket pitch! Read this blog for lots of suggestions of Mumbler favourites, we love the Secret Gorge Walk, that takes you away from the crowds of the park into the beautiful woodland. You have a choice of refreshments here; The Lakeside cafe at the lower carpark, where there’s also play area for younger children, or The Mansion (where there are also public toilets).
If you are looking for something other than a stroll to the duckpond, head across to this blog on the South Leeds Mumbler site for walk suggestions. We often do the 3km pram-friendly circular (which at the moment is so muddy I’m not sure it is ‘pram’friendly!’. The cafe at Temple Newsam is currently offering a takeaway menu every day, with a FANTASTIC hot chocolate option!
The grounds & gardens of Wood Hall Hotel & Spa in Wetherby are open for walks and quiet time outside. Ask at reception for a map of suggested walks, there are three suggested and we took the yellow route which was about three miles, and beautiful but very muddy at the moment! There’s a fantatsic take-away menu available, including Afternoon Teas as well as dining options…. but if you’re just enjoying the walks you can grab a hot drink, sandwich or sweet treat with no need to pre-order! I can HIGHLY recommend the Oreo Cookie Crumb & Cream Hot Chocolate!!
Start your walk at The Scott’s Arms, where you can also make use of their carpark. Tuesday-Sunday it offers walkers take away hot drinks, and takes orders for food collections and deliveries Wednesday-Sunday. At weekends take away bacon butties and homemade soup is being served. There are a number of walks between 3km – 12km from Sicklinghall that walkers can enjoy- and The Scott’s Arms offer map and route texts for you too. PERFECT.
A favourite for many, Golden Acre offers everything from a walk around the lake to a longer stroll around the park to Paul’s Pond at the other side of Otley Road. If you have little explorers let them have a run around the Woodland Garden. Have a look at the map here. The cafe is near the underpass from the Otley Road carpark.
Probably the best Special Hot Chocolate I’ve enjoyed so far! A visit here means good adventure playgrounds for the children, a lovely short buggy friendly walk around the grounds, a muddier walk option of the Lotherton Boundary walk (not pushchair friendly) and of course a great little cafe. You’ll often find an ice cream van parked up too. Everyone is happy!
The Harland Way is three miles in each direction, so this one might be better on bike than walking! Reward yourself with takeaway Hot Drinks from The Castle Inn, who are also offering a call & collect food menu Fridays- Sunday. Alternatively enjoy something from Wetherby Town Centre on your return.
Enjoy walking round the gardens of Crag House Farm and a short conservation walk, or take the path towards Cookridge Cricket pitch and back. They’re serving hot drinks, treats and ice creams. The Farm Shop remains open, and they’re offering Friday Night Take-Aways that you can take home with you! Thank you to local mum Anna for reminding me of this one!
NB: The children’s play area will be closed from Monday 22nd Feb- End of March to allow the grass to recover.
Take a walk along the River Wharfe at Boston Spa, you should be able to manage with a pushchair other than a small section of wide steps at the children centre’s end of the riverside. Walk back through the town. This 5km walk takes in two playgrounds and you can enjoy the various options on Boston Spa High Street. See the os route here. Thank you to local mum Catherine Hill for this suggestion!
Other lovely options;