Top 10 Family Walks in Wakefield
Walking is a such a simple and free way to keep fit as a family but sometimes you need some inspiration when going on a walk with kids.
As this year is the Year of Walking where we live in Yorkshire and as we are passionate about getting active as a family, we wanted to share with you our favourite walks so that hopefully you can be inspired to get active.
Here are our top 10 family walks where we live in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Guest post by Sophie Mei Lan
There are so many walks to enjoy here where I live in Wakefield. I like to do most walks as a family (so it’s my two daughters and I, and sometimes the grandparents!) or sometimes I do longer walks with friends.
Angler’s Country Park
Angler’s Country Park is brilliant and has Room on the Broom story trail as well as stunning scenery and a nice cafe. There’s also a playground too next to the cafe and plenty of places to eat a picnic.
Sandal Castle and Pugney’s Country Park
Sandal Castle and Pugney’s Country Park: Sandal Castle ruins has stunning views of Pugney’s and the rest of Wakefield as well as a cafe. There’s also plenty of picnic spots down at Pugney’s with a lake and water sports, a children’s play area and an outdoor gym. Don’t forget to do the Blown Away story trail at Pugney’s or to take advantage of the water sports on offer! You can park for free at Sandal Castle and walk down to Pugney’s Country Park (or vice versa, although you have to pay for parking at Pugney’s).
Canal Walks
Canal Walks: I have also started enjoying canal walks and I find them a great way to quickly escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. I tend to just walk by the canal next to Doncaster road and follow that along. There are parts that are well kept and other parts that are not, so just be vigilant of any rubbish along the path but most of it is wildflowers and barges.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park: You can drive or catch a bus from Wakefield Bus Station to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton. It’s a lovely day out especially when the weather is good. There’s lots of places to buy food and drink as well as a plethora of places to have a picnic. They have indoor areas too when you can do crafts and they often run family-friendly workshops as well.
Gnome Roam at Newmillerdam
Gnome Roam at Newmillerdam: There are lots of walks to do around Newmillerdam. But a great child-friendly one is the Gnome Roam.
Hemsworth Water Park
Hemsworth Water Park: We love coming here in the summer. It’s great to walk around the lake and it also has a brilliant outdoor play area for the kids. There’s a cafe and small indoor play area too if the weather isn’t great.
Nostell Priory
Nostell Priory, National Trust: Nostell Priory is home to a mansion and stunning grounds. National Trust members park and enter for free but others must pay a fee. They do a Park Run as well however which is always free and you can walk it too.
Thornes Park and Clarence Park
Thornes Park and Clarence Park: I’ve been bringing my daughter here since she was a baby as we used to go to the gym at Thornes Park Stadium (where you cans also hire buggies to run with). The park itself as an enclosed Secret Garden, an outdoor gym trail, a playground, a duck pond and a nice little Stork Cafe. There’s also an Aviary next to the Duck Pond and a Rose Garden with a greenhouse inside.
Pontefract Castle
Pontefract Castle: It’s just a short walk up the cobbled hill to discover the ruins of Pontefract Castle. It’s well worth a walk around the site and a trip down to the dungeons is a must. There’s also a nice visitor centre where you can buy refreshments too as well as lots of child-friendly workshops on (but check when these are in advance).
Urban walks
Urban walks: by this, I mean walking to and from anywhere and everywhere. Whether it be Wakefield City Centre and walking from Trinity Walk to Wakefield Cathedral and onto The Ridings and the Sun Lane Leisure Centre… just walking instead of driving to places will make you feel so much better.
National Coal Mining Museum of England
National Coal Mining Museum of England (NCMME): I’d not realised until recently how much there was to the museum especially outside and down the coal mine. There’s a play area.
So however and wherever you want to get out and start walking… just try to walk at least 10 minutes a week in one consecutive journey and download the Aspire Health app to track your walking as well as to win prizes.
Where to get active in the Wakefield District, Yorkshire…
Here’s a mini directory of some of the guided walks and activities there are available where I live:
- Park Run
- Wakefield Running Mamas
- Wakefield Comets
- Nordic Walking
More Family Walks
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