Blogs.
Spring Walks in Leeds
12th March 2025
The days are getting lighter, the sun is peeping through and there are green leaves on the trees. It’s the perfect time to visit your local greenspace. Not only is walking and being outside good for your wellbeing, noticing the seasonal changes at your favourite park or garden is a top mindfulness tip too.
(Kirkstall Abbey, c. Alex Horsley for Visit Leeds)
Explore the incredible ruins of the 800 year old Kirkstall Abbey, just 3 miles out of the city centre. Set on the bank of the River Aire, the ruins alone are worth a visit but it’s the surrounding parkland and grounds that make it so beautiful. Make it into a full day out of the city centre by also exploring Abbey House Museum across the road, especially when April showers happen!
(Temple Newsam, c.Leeds Museums and Galleries)
It is a lovely time to visit Temple Newsam as the estate is covered with the flowering delights of crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils. There’s plenty of open space to stretch your legs and gardens to explore. Younger children can happily spend hours on the playground there, and no visit to Temple Newsam in Spring is complete without seeing all the new piglets, lambs and other baby animals on the Home Farm.
(Lotherton – c.Leeds Museums and Galleries)
Lotherton is a charming country house set in expansive grounds with woodland walks for you to enjoy…wellies recommended! The beautiful gardens surrounding the hall are perfect for a pleasant stroll, visitors can take part in self-led trails or follow the path to watch the estate’s red deer grazing. Check out the animals at Wildlife World where you can even get up close to capybara and penguins!
(Roundhay Park, Thomas Tornegard Photography)
Roundhay Park is one of the biggest city parks in Europe with over 700 acres of parkland. Enjoy scenic walks around the lakes and woodlands, then visit the more formal but equally beautiful Canal Gardens. The Lakeside café and Garden Room café are perfect to relax with a snack. During April showers why not pop into Tropical World to meet meerkats, marmosets and more!
(The Terrace at Harewood c. Visit England and Thomas Heaton)
One of the treasure houses of England, Harewood is situated just eight miles from Leeds city centre. The house is set in a beautiful, Capability Brown designed landscape which can be viewed from the terrace. Walk around the Lakeside Path and enjoy the first signs of Spring amongst the Gardens and if you continue on the Harewood circular walk you may come across some deer or Highland cows!
(Golden Acre Park sunset – credit Thomas Tornegard Photography)
Golden Acre Park is a beautiful park set in 179 acres of mature woodland with gardens surrounding an attractive lake. Home to many varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants as well as a host of native animals and wildfowl. It’s also adjacent to the park is Breary Marsh Local Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife and important conservation site.
(Eccup Reservoir, Dave Herbert)
Did you know Eccup Reservoir is the largest body of water in West Yorkshire? It was first constructed in 1843 and later expanded; the open water area is 91 hectares, perfect for those who like a waterside walk! The reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is nationally important for birds -you may also see the unmistakable red kite, recently saved from extinction in the UK.
(You & Me, Me & You by Anthony Burrill – Carl Milner Photography for Visit Leeds)
Although a city centre might not be the first place to ‘spring’ to mind for a walk, the various trails and routes you can take will soon change that. Explore the waterfront, seek out the colourful Street Art or look up to spot the owls on The Owl Trail. Be sure to grab a coffee and cake on the way too!
(Otley Shopping – credit Endure Communications, Otley BID)
Dales Way Link
If you’re a seasoned walker who wants a real, full day challenge during this winter then the Dales Way Link is the perfect route to take. This 20 mile walk links to the even bigger challenge of the Dales Way which finishes in the Lake District. The Dales Way Link from Leeds takes you north up through Leeds northern greenspaces, the Market town of Otley, through valleys and up into the Dales, ending up in the picturesque town on Ilkey on the Leeds/Bradford postcode border at the famous Cow and Calf Rocks. Pick a crisp, frosty morning and set off at dawn to finish the walk before sunset. A regular bus or train service will get you back to the start in Leeds.
Explore of the outdoors here and find more Family Adventures here.
*Blog has been updated. Blog first posted 21st March 2021.