Top Rated Parks to Visit in River Aire

"Roundhay Park is ideal for the family to have fun enjoying the great outdoors. Located a 15-minute drive from Clayton Hotel Leeds, the park is one of Europe’s biggest inner-city green spaces spanning over 700 acres of parkland, woodland, lakes and landscaped gardens. Spot the various species of fish and birds across the water features in the park or enjoy some fishing on Waterloo lake."

"This 700-acre park is a firm favourite with local families, who flock to its open green space and two huge lakes on a sunny day. It’s the biggest park in Leeds and one of the biggest in Europe, so there’s plenty of space for outdoor activities with the kids. They can play tennis, let run wild at the playground, or enjoy a picnic in the landscaped gardens."

"The Tudor-Jacobean mansion needs little introduction but its 1,500 acres of surrounding parkland with lakes, formal gardens and woods are worth more than a mention. It's accessed off Selby Road, LS15 0AE."

"Golden Acre Park is popularly known for its circular lakeside walk. This 136 acres of park also offers amazing gardens and tea rooms that you can certainly enjoy. It is also near other famous parks and attractions like the Breary Marsh and Adel Dam in case you would want to go on an ultimate nature adventure."

"Golden Acre Park is popularly known for its circular lakeside walk. This 136-acres of park also offers amazing gardens and tea rooms that you can certainly enjoy. It is also near other famous parks and attractions like the Breary Marsh and Adel Dam in case you would want to go on an ultimate nature adventure."

"Housed in a majestic stone building with pillars reminiscent of the Parthenon in Greece, sits one of the best collections of archaeology and geology in Europe. Ranging from prehistoric natural history, through ancient Roman treasure and up toward the modern-day, this is a great early stop on your exploration of York. Arm yourself with knowledge of the history that makes this city so special, and watch as every subsequent attraction comes to life with your new understanding."

"Visiting the Museum Gardens is yet another free activity to do in York. On a nice, summer’s day you can bring a picnic here and relax on a bench or the grass. You can also explore the ruins of the medieval St. Mary’s Abbey, or simply visit The Yorkshire Museum."

"Four miles west of the city centre, on the banks of the River Aire is this wetland nature reserve. With a lagoon, scrubland, wet grassland and reed beds it's a great place to stroll and spot waterfowl, birds of prey and other nature. Access it via Moss Bridge Road, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP."

"This fabulous wetland, surrounded on three sides by the River Aire, can be found west of Leeds. The car park is located off the A657."

"The Stray is the largest of Harrogate's parks: comprising 200 acres of contiguous open land linking the spa town's curative springs and wells. The site dates back to 1778 when it was created from the forest of Knaresborough to link several of Harrogate’s springs together in one area but is now open grassland full of beautiful flowers. The Stray is in the centre of the town off Knaresborough Road and is free to access throughout the year."

"Moments away from the bustle of the town centre, the Stray has given the people of Harrogate somewhere peaceful to relax since it was created in 1778 from the forest of Knaresborough. Nothing can be purer than the air at Harrogate. Over the years the Stray has been used to graze livestock, turned into allotments and wheat fields during WWII, and it’s even been used as an airfield for light aircraft."

"The Stray is an area of around 200 acres of parkland in Harrogate which links the town’s spas and wells; it’s also the site of the original Tewit Well discovered by William Slingsby. In the 18th century, the park was bequeathed to the people of Harrogate by the Duchy of Lancaster to be forever unenclosed and makes a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic, an outdoor game or a walk."

"Dean’s Park offers fantastic views, a great place to stretch out and enjoy a break during a busy day, as well as soft drink and ice cream refreshments available during summer. You may also want to view nearby York Minster. There is an admission charge for entering this cathedral but it doesn’t cost anything to take in the magnificent exterior!"

"Located on the North side of the Minster, Dean’s Park is a quiet, green oasis offering incredible views of the Gothic Cathedral and the Minster Library. Some ruins of a 12th-century cloister – probably from the Old Palace – are still standing. While it originally was accessible only to members of the church, today it’s open to the public."

"A beautiful place to soak in the sun and enjoy an ice cream cone, Dean’s Park offers beautiful views and plenty of green, open space. Spread out a blanket and enjoy stunning views of the Minster and its Chapter House."

"It may be on the grounds of Leeds Beckett University, but Beckett Park is open to everyone. It’s a huge park that stretches from Queenswood Drive to Batcliffe Mount, with vast swathes of grassy parkland and a beautiful patch of woodland. There are two tennis courts here and if you head into the woods, you can hunt out Queen Victoria Arch, which was built 250 years ago and altered in 1858 to commemorate the monarch’s historic visit to Leeds."

"Due to its location right next to Leeds Beckett University's Headingley campus, this park is dominated by students during term time. The big, open grass spaces mean it's the perfect place to throw a frisbee or kick a football around. And when it starts to get dark, Headingley's pubs and bars are just a short walk away!"

"It is one of the city’s main parks and was given to the City of Bradford by Samuel Cunliffe Lister, who built Lister’s Mill. The park has been effectively reconditioned in recent years. The lake has been re-opened for boats and a Mughal Water Garden constructed."

"31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3LWBased outside the city centre in Chapel Allerton, Inkwell’s Cafe is volunteer-led, 100% vegetarian, and only open on Saturdays. Serving up breakfast until 11:30, accompanied by arts and crafts sessions and live music, The Inkwell centre also supports Mind, the mental health charity."

"Having practiced the art of baking for six decades, the Gilchrist family know how to make the most delicious artisan breads, cakes and pies. From Cornish pasties and pork pies to fruit tea cake, currant slices and treacle tarts, there’s always something here to satisfy both savoury and sweet lovers alike. Visit: 379 Harehills Lane, LS9 6AP"

"There are actually two excellent dog-friendly parks in the Leeds neighbourhood of Pudsey. The first is the council-owned Pudsey Park: a Green Flag-awarded green space that’s earned the rightful status of being Leeds’ second most-visited park. It’s as good for dogs as it is pretty, with clean, well-cared for lawns and beds, plus activities for the whole family, including a playground, a bowling green, and a skate park."

"Credit: Chemical Engineer licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use. Second only to Roundhay Park for annual visits, Pudsey Park offers 7.5 hectares of lush green space for you to explore. It’s much more than just fields – there’s a rose garden, a bedding area and a glasshouse."

"Let’s face it, it is always a good time for ice cream, but the arrival of spring is just the perfect excuse. Located in Victoria Gate, Amorino is definitely one of the best places for ice cream in Leeds. Chocolate sorbet, blueberry cheesecake, tiramisu … A nice variety of flavours coming in rose-shaped cones."

"This authentic Italian gelato spot is famous in Leeds and for good reason. Scoops come served in a chocolate cone, with gelato presented in the shape of a flower and the option to add on macarons. Find flavours like Banana del Brasile and Dulce de Leche here alongside more traditional choices."

"Just below Tropical World are the beautiful Canal Gardens which again, despite being in the area many times exploring Roundhay Park I had never noticed before I ran past them during a lockdown run. I came back again a couple of weeks later with my new tripod (best purchase!!!) to photograph them. In Spring the rhododendrons are in full bloom in this peaceful place."