Top tips for FREE Room on the Broom Adventure Trail
We love a good Yorkshire walk! Last week we donned our wellies and explored The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail. We went with friends, so there were four children between us ranging in ages from two to seven. We are all fans of Juila Donaldson’s book, Room on the Broom, and had high hopes for an ‘adventure trail’.
Where is the Room on the Broom Adventure Trail?
You can find the trail at Anglers Country Park, Haw Park Lane, Wintersett, Wakefield WF4 2EB.
How much does the Room on the Broom Adventure Trail cost to visit?
Parking is free up to 2 hours, but you still need to get a ticket from the machine. After two hours parking fees are £2.00 for up to 4 hours which you pay for via an app.
What is in the activity packs for The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail?
I am sure my kids would have loved the activity packs, but luckily they didn’t know what they were missing. We were able to print the free activity sheets from home and bring our own crayons. To be honest, the activity sheets ended up in my pocket. It’s not that the activity sheets weren’t well done, they included a range of activities from mini beast spotting to word games. It’s just that watching two toddlers and filling in a sheet was one activity too many for me. I do think they would be a great way to engage older kids, but at 2 and 4 my kids were plenty happy seeing the wood carvings and footprints.
How long is The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail?
The Room on the Broom adventure trail is a two-mile circular route around a lake. The trail is flat but it can be muddy or puddly (okay, not a word, but it should be).
On the day we visited, there were lots and lots of puddles, most of which were jumped into by my two-year old. Half way around the lake he was wet and cold and his change of clothes were back in the car. I ended up carrying him for the second mile. Luckily, there are benches along the walk so we stopped for a quick snack break to have a rest.
What can you do on The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail?
The trail was easy to follow and there were footprints, rubbings, and statues to find along the way. Activities were well spaced; The kids’ attention was held for the entire walk.
There were also fun little extras like a photo board and the witch’s cauldron.
After the walk, the kids still had energy for a play in the adventure playground. Although there were a half dozen picnic tables, none were free. I suggest a picnic blanket if you plan to picnic on a nice day or during school holidays.
All in all it was a fantastic, inexpensive day out. My two year old keeps asking to do it again, but I suspect he has more puddle jumping plans. It’s a fantastic free activity that suits a range of ages.
Can you buy food at Anglers Country Park?
Indeed you can. There is a cafe selling food and drinks.
Is the The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail pram friendly?
Yes it is but be prepared for mud!
Is The Room on the Broom Adventure Trail dog friendly?
It is. There are always plenty of dogs enjoying their walks as well as families.
Know before you go
- Parking is free up to 2 hours and £2.00 for up to 4 hours.
- The visitors centre has activity packs (£2 each) and is open Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 4pm until 31 October or 10.30am – 3.30pm from 1 November – 31 March. The visitors centre is closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.
- The walk is a circular two miles on flat, pram accessible terrain.
- The walk can be muddy, I would recommend wellys (and a change of clothes if you have kids who like to puddle jump).
- You can buy food to feed the ducks and geese for 50p a bag from the visitor’s centre.
- Anglers Country Park, Haw Park Lane, Wintersett, Wakefield WF4 2EB
If you’ve visited and have any tips or experiences to share, I’d love to hear about them (especially if you visited with slightly older kids). Let us know in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
MORE IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR FUN IN YORKSHIRE
Yorkshire walks for families round up guide
10 Yorkshire farms to visit
Top picks for outdoor lidos, pools and wild swimming in Yorkshire
Ohh this looks right up our street. We have been to a gruffalo trail and a superworm one but I hadn’t seen this one before. My little boy loves Room on the Broom too! x #sundaystars
We haven’t been to the Superworm trail yet but we’d love to go soon!
what a fun place to go with kids, it looks like you had a great time – thanks for sharing x
We did have a great time, I think we’re going back with Dad (and a change of clothes for my youngest!) in a few weeks!
This looks like so much fun!
I think I might have to have a look and see if there’s on local to us.
Thanks for sharing #sundaystars
I’m not sure if there are any more around the country – it would be a same if not as it was great fun!
I think this will be the only one as it has been created by Wakefield Council to promote walking unlike the Gruffalo trails which were developed by the Forestry Commission.
Thanks for the information Emma. Well done Wakefield Council.
Looks amazing! I love Room on the Broom. I’ve used those resources in school with kids- they’re great.
#sundaystars
I spotted this on the #triedtested Linky and made a beeline for this post! I LOVE Room on the Broom! Slightly obsessed! We’re from down south but are heading up to Yorkshire soon so are going to make an effort to visit! Thanks! xx
Great timing! It is a really lovely day out!
It looks so fab, we currently have the superworm trail by us so are planning to do that one.
#Tried/Tested
Superworm is next on our list! Julia Donaldson just does a fantastic job, doesn’t she?
I’m definitely going to head over and take part in this one! My husband loves ROTB (more than the kids in fact) so I know it would make for a lovely family adventure.
Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested this week x
You guys would love it – your husband could even recite the story as you go 😉
Funnily enough it was the kids reciting the story in the end 😉 Thanks for the recommendation!
#YorkshireFamily
We love things like this, when we head over to friends in Leeds we will maybe try this out. thanks for linking it to #sundaystars
It would be great to do with a group of kids – plenty of space and good for tiny ones to older ones!
Oh lovely – you’ve got to love Room on the broom! Love the wooden sculpture. I can’t help but think how exciting this would be at Halloween time by torchlight 😀
What a great idea! I love Halloween… and you’re right, those carvings would look fabulous/spooky in the near dark.
This is so close to us and I never knew they had this going on. We will definitely be going to this after our holiday! We love Room on the Broom xx
oh if you like Room on the Broom you’ll love this! It was a great day out – Leo keeps asking when we’re going back!
What a fab trail – my little ones would love this, such a shame we don’t live near enough though. We did the Gruffalo trail last summer and enjoyed it 🙂
My little one is too small to properly appreciate books yet, but I absolutely LOVE reading these books to her and cannot wait to visit places like that. It looks fab! #brilliantblogposts
I do wish they’d do more of them. Our nearest ones are all on Superworm at the moment, and I must take N, but I think we’d both prefer Room on the Broom. Looks like a nice walk and some lovely activities to do. #brilliantblogposts
They really should do more of these around the country I think. It’s really good!
This looks fab! Monkey loves Room on the Broom so I bet he would really enjoy this! I do love the trails the forestry commision create! xx
We really loved Room on the Broom Trail too, although I thought there needed to be warning that it was 2 miles long before you reached the point of no return – my 2 year old was exhausted by the end!
Yey! We visited last week but unfortunately they’d run out of activity packs! DOH! Its proved to be very popular! #YorkshireFamily Great photos – looks like you had loads of fun on your epic walk too x
Oh no! I don’t know about you but I always end up holding/trying to do the activities in the packs anyway! So maybe you were saved a job in the end 😉
Oh man mine would LOVE this! Weve been to Anglers a couple of times and enjoyed some great days out, we will deffs have to go whilst this is on – looks great xx
I think your family would love it! It’s a really lovely day out – we are planning to go back again soon!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article.
Many thanks for providing this info.
Can dogs be taken on the trail please?
Yes, I don’t have one but there are usually people out with dogs when we’re there.
This looks great. Is it tarmac paths all the way around? Wondering if my 2 year old would manage riding her bike around.
There are lots of bikes on the path but it’s not all tarmac. I think it would be a matter of your 2 year old wanting to ride a few miles rather than the path being difficult. I’m not sure mine would have made it at 2 but I think some kids could. Hope that helps!
Aaaahh! We live in Doncaster… and although our kids are “now” a bit too old.. I reckon we could get away with it as “something to do”. Our youngest is 6, eldest 16… but it’s a day out and I think I could actually convince all the kids to come when the weather warms up.. I’m happy any weather but you know what it’s like with teenagers whose only interests are Tik Tok and their Xbox!
Thanks for the perfect write up… answers all questions, and Ill be sure to take cash!
Is this trail suitable for children with autism?
Thank you.
I would say so. It is self led so you can take the trail at your own pace. It can get very busy on sunny days so if you are looking for a quieter time I recommend going early.
I am currently planning a trip to Yorkshire and will certainly take your recommendations. Thank you, Paulomi