There’s snow place like Leeds: The seven best wintry walks in and around the city

• With winter on the horizon, Visit Leeds has rounded up the best winter walks in and around Leeds
• Google search data has revealed how many people are searching for these walks online
• Walks include Dales Way Link, Meanwood Valley Trail and Lotherton

 

77% of Brits claim to go walking once per day¹, and it’s important to keep those steps up even when it’s cold outside.

 

There’s really snow place like Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area to brace the brisk air on a festive walk, and now new content from Destination Management Organisation for the city of Leeds, Visit Leeds has rounded up the very best wintry walks in the area, to enjoy this Christmas and beyond.

 

From country estates, historic houses and parks nearby the city, the ten very best have been revealed, using Google search data² to see how popular these are online.

 

1. Dales Way Link

• 21,000 searches

 

For stunning scenery that’s sure to take your breath away, then the Yorkshire Dales is a trip you can’t miss. If you’re a seasoned walker who wants a full day challenge then the 20 mile Dales Way Link is the perfect route to take. Pick a crisp, frosty morning and set off at dawn to journey through Leeds northern greenspaces, the Market town of Otley, through valleys and up into the Dales before ending up in the picturesque town of Ilkley at the famous Cow and Calf Rocks before sunset. 21,000 Brits have searched for the Yorkshire Dales in the past month alone, so you’re sure to be in good company on your stroll!

 

1. Lotherton

• 2,600 searches

 

Over 2,600 people have searched for Lotherton, a beautiful Edwardian estate based just outside of Leeds in the past month. A walk around the grounds and gardens during the winter months is truly beautiful, and if it gets too cold you can always pop inside to the on-site Stables cafe to warm up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. This year, Lotherton is bring back its Christmas experience for all the family, and an interactive woodland walk is part of this; allowing visitors to follow the twinkly lights through the history and magic of the estate to really make you feel festive.

 

 

1. Temple Newsam

• 1,700 searches

Temple Newsam is a country estate in the heart of Leeds, and offers a sense of escapism for city-centre dwellers and visitors alike. Over 1,700 people have searched for this Tudor Jacobean estate in the past 30 days, and with over 1,500 acres of Capability Brown landscapes gardens, woodland and park areas, there’s plenty of wintry scenery to enjoy.

 

1. Harewood House

• 600 searches

 

Harewood House is is one of the Treasure Houses of England and sits  just outside of the city, over 3,600 people have searched for it in the past 30 days alone. To fully enjoy all Harewood has to offer, the five-mile circular walk around the spectacular grounds is a great place to take it all in. Kicking off at the Muddy Boots Cafe in Harewood, the route will offer stunning views of the estate in all its glory, and the deer park where you might even catch a glimpse of Rudolph and his friends. The walk is fully lit up too, making it an even more magical experience.

 

1. Roundhay Park

• 2,600 searches

 

One of the biggest parks in Europe, and with over 2,600 searches in the past 30 days, Roundhay Park may be Leeds’ worst kept secret. Roundhay sits less than four miles from the Tipi’s and Ice Rinks of the city centre and offers over 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens to explore. This year, Roundhay Park is home to an exciting festive illuminated trail – taking you through the grounds to see magical light installations and sculptures that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

 

 

1. Kirkstall Abbey

●     1,100 searches

Another favourite landmark in Leeds is the ruins of the 800 year old Kirkstall Abbey, which offers amazing views through the parkland and the grounds. It’s a great place for a brisk wintry walk, and with over 1,100 searches, it’s a popular destination too. Just three miles out of the city centre, Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian Abbeys in the UK and looks truly magical whether covered in frost or bathed in winter sunlight, the Abbey House café just over the road is the perfect place to warm up after you’ve delved into the history of the monastery.

 

 

1. Meanwood Valley Local Nature Reserve

• 500 searches

 

For those that really want to stretch their legs on a wintry walk then the seven-mile Meanwood Valley Local Nature Reserve may be the answer. Starting just on the northern outskirts of the city centre, this signposted walk takes you from an urban landscape into meadows, along water courses and into woodland. Look out for glimpses into the area’s industrial past as well as the area’s wonderful wildlife.

 

Make sure you wrap up for a winter walk in and around Leeds, and keep your eye on our Instagram to see when the white stuff hits, so you can enjoy these beautiful sites under a blanket of snow. And visit Leeds for even more exciting festive experiences in country homes and estates.

 

To find out even more events happening at country homes, estates and parks this Leeds, please visit: https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/historic-houses-this-christmas/