10 FREE Kids’ Walking Trails in Yorkshire

We love a weekend walk and even better if it includes a good kids’ walking trail!  They’re not always as keen as the grownups to get their boots on, so it really helps if there is a fun trail to follow (and a flask of hot chocolate) along the way.

I have done my best to include parking and accessibility information but am always open to suggestions so please do leave a comment if you have any to add!

Children’s Adventure Trails in Roundhay Park | Leeds

Address – Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH

Parking – Free

Entrances to the park and all paths are wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets are available in Tropical World Explorers Cafe, the Visitor Centre and the Education Rooms. There is also an accessible toilet at Lakeside Cafe.

Rounhday Park in Leeds has over 700 acres parkland to explore with lakes, woodlands, gardens and wildlife as well as cafes, playgrounds and even a castle. There is also plenty of free parking and disabled parking bays on Mansion Lane and outside Tropical World. There are three different Children’s Adventure Trails set up by the Friends of Roundhay Park. They vary in length and age ability, so you can pick the one that suits you! They are all over an hour in length and free to download (although donations are appreciated).

Leeds Owl Trail | Leeds

Follow the Leeds Owl Trail map around Leeds City Centre and learn about the history of Leeds along the way. The trail tells each owl’s tale including why it is there and what it has seen in its lifetime. The trail takes about two hours to complete.

You can download the map free or purchase one for £1 at the Leeds Visitors Centre which is underneath Leeds Art Gallery.

Leeds Street Art Trail | Leeds

The Leeds Street Art Trail is a great way to see a different side of Leeds! You can follow this Google Map to find your way to 20 different works of street art.

Along the way we found places to stop for coffee, and a bite to eat in Leeds Market. There is a fair amount of walking along busy roads involved, so personally I wouldn’t want to do this with young children unless they were happy to be in a pram. It was a great thing to do with Lily though who loves art and coffee shop stops!

A Journey to Hidden Places | Sheffield

The Journey Through Hidden Places trail invites you to explore “ancient bluebell woods, find the lost gateway, discover an Iron Age hill fort with superb views over the Don Valley and search for 18 fascinating pieces of creative art, old and new, hidden around Firth Park and Wincobank.” You can download your map and information sheet here.

Nature Story Trail & Dinosaur Safari Trail at Beaumont Park | Huddersfield

Address – Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, HD4 7AY

Parking – Free roadside parking

Some paths pram/wheelchair accessible.

Beaumont Park  is the perfect place to go for an atmospheric walk with its unique Victorian features, pathways and grottos. There are quite a few free trails to choose from as well. There is a Nature Story Trail with beautiful carvings and stories to read as well as a Dinosaur Safari Trail you can use with the Love Exploring App which you can download here.

Newmilller Dam Gnome Roam | Wakefield

Address – Wakefield WF2 6QQ

Parking  – Currently free of charge Pay and Display Machine. Maximum stay: 10 hours. Up to 1 hour – 60p. Up to 2 hours – £1. Up to 4 hours – £1.30. Over 4 hours – £1.70

There are steps at the start of the Gnome Roam but the path along the dam is pram and wheelchair accessible.

The Newmiller Dam Gnome Roam is a 1.8 mile circular walk through woodlands with delightful gnome carvings and ‘Gnome Roam Trail’.

Room on the Broom Trail at Anglers County Park | Wakefield

Address – Anglers Country Park,Haw Park Lane, Wintersett, Wakefield WF4 2EB

Parking – Currently free of charge – Parking for up to two hours at £1, up to four hours at £2 and over four hours at £3

Pram/Wheelchair accessible but can be muddy in parts.

The Room on the Broom adventure trail is a two-mile circular route around a lake with activities and carvings based on Juila Donaldson’s book, Room on the Broom.  The trail is flat but it can be muddy or puddly (okay, not a word, but it should be). There is also an adventure play area, cafe, and public toilets.

Blown Away Trail at Pugneys Country Park | Wakefield

Address – Asdale Road, Wakefield WF2 7EQ

Parking – Free parking

Pugneys Country Park has lots of room for a walk and you can download the free Love Exploring app to discover dinosaurs and find fairies or even follow the Blown Away Adventure Trail on a circular, accessible route around the lake!

Discovery Trail at RSPB Fairburn Ings | Wakefield

Address – Wakefield, WF10 2BH

Parking – Non-members: £4 per car

The Visitor Centre and many trails are wheel chair accessible for more information about accessibility see this link

RSP Fairburn Ings is a grea place to get kids outdoors. There are great walking options ranging from a short 0.3 mile Discovery Trail to a longer 4 mile walk.  The visitor’s centre provides a very clear map.

Dinosaur Safari Trail at Oakwell Hall | Birstall

Address – Nutter Lane, Birstall, WF17 9LG

Parking – Free parking

Some paths pram/wheelchair accessible.

Oakwell Hall is the perfect place for a family walk, pond dipping or a play in the  playground.  You can also find a cafe, visitors centre and ice cream vans onsite. There are 100 acres of country park to explore as well as the walled gardens of the home which have no entry fee and plenty of free parking.

You can even follow a Dinosaur Safari Trail when you download the love exploring app here and go to the Dinosaur Safari in the games section of Oakwell Hall.

More trails to try…

Hidden amongst the trees of Rodley Park this winter, Santa’s elves are watching from their little doors hidden in the trees for you to find.

From Spring to autumn the Welly Walk at Bolton Abbey is always a hit with my two, but while the walk is free a £10 park charge applies.

Parking at Dalby Forest costs £9 for the day but you can download the Gruffalo Spotters App for a fantastic family walk.

Choose from over 50 more family walks in Yorkshire!

Join Us

Join over 35,000 Yorkshire parents on our Facebook Page

Share your recommendations or ask questions in our Facebook Group

Follow us on Twitter

See what we’re up to on Instagram