The Family Guide to Roundhay Park, Leeds
If you’re looking for a fantastic Yorkshire park to visit, look no further than Rounhday Park in Leeds. With over 700 acres of parkland to explore, you can see lakes, woodlands, gardens and wildlife, as well as enjoy cafes, playgrounds and even a castle. There is also plenty of free parking and disabled parking bays on Mansion Lane and outside Tropical World. Here are ten reasons to visit!
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.
Play
There are two separate play areas at Rounday Park. The park pictured here is next to the skate park and the second park, located near the Lakeside Cafe, has accessible play equipment.
Try the skate park
Pack the knee pads and the bikes or boards for a fantastic skate park experience.
Ride the Roundhay Park land train
The Rounday Park Land Train starts at Lakeside Cafe and runs to the Park Gates and costs £2 for a single or £3 for a return ticket. It is a short and sweet 8-minute ride but Lily loved the trip!
Explore a castle
Hidden away in the woods is a castle! Admittedly it is a folly built just a few hundred years ago, but that doesn’t make it any less fun!
Feed the ducks & swans
Bring peas, please! There are signs that ask that the wildlife isn’t fed bread. We forgot to bring supplies, and sadly, the duck feeding station was out of grub, but we’ll be sure to remember next time.
Visit Tropical World
Tropical World is just near the entrance to the park and is great place to visit. With exotic animals, waterfalls and plant life, it is a place grown ups can enjoy as much as younger members of the family. Here are our 11 reasons your family will love Tropical World
Follow a Children’s Adventure Trail
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! We picked the third one it gave our walk a nice focus. They are all over an hour in length so we’ll try the other two on future visits. The trails are free to download (although donations are appreciated). We printed ours off but we could have downloaded and done them from the phone instead.
Try the new Roundhay Park sculpture trail
You can now explore the new sculpture trail at Roundhay Park! The sculptures along the trail are a set of eight intricately carved beech trees by local artist Shane Green. Each sculpture is inspired by the animals and wildlife you might encounter in the park.
The trail begins at the Park Lane entrance, which we’d never been to as it’s at the quieter end of the park.
To follow the trail, you can either download the LoveExploring app or follow the trail using this map. The trail leads you down through Ram Wood to the lake and then the beautiful Castle Folly so there is plenty to see along the way.
The trail is 3k in length and an easy, pram-friendly (although possibly a bit muddy after rain) walk.
Go fishing
If fishing is your thing you’ll be pleased to know that it is allowed on Waterloo Lake except by the boating area in front of the cafe.
Stroll in the gardens
There are 5 specialist gardens at Roundhay Park: Coronation Garden, The Monet Garden, The Alhambra Garden, Canal Gardens and The Friends of Rounday Park Garden. They are all lovely for a peaceful stroll.
Grab a bite to eat
You’ve got a plenty of options for food if you don’t fancy packing a picnic. The Lakeside Cafe has great views, or you can try Explorer’s cafe at Tropical World or The Mansion. The Roundhay Fox pub at the edge of the park is also family friendly.
Enjoy the sports pitches
There are football, rugby and cricket pitches as well as a tennis court and a,grass cycling track that are all free to use.
Join Us
Found this helpful? Share with other Yorkshire parents or sign up below to get school holiday guides straight to your inbox!
Work with Yorkshire Tots to Teens
