Last updated on May 2nd, 2013 | Written By Danny Pugsley

Ideas for days out with kids in Leeds

Perfect days out in Leeds around the beautiful Harewood Estate.

For those that like to get out and about, the Leeds area offers a number of family friendly attractions ranging from stately homes, stunning gardens, parks and scenery and even a chance to see wildlife from around the globe. Here are some of the best suggestions for great days out with kids in Leeds.

Harewood House

Harewood House is one of the most well known attractions in Yorkshire with a huge variety on offer catering for visitors with all tastes and ages. The main house itself is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the nine treasure houses of England. It features wonderful interiors that include paintings, furniture and porcelain. The House also provides superb views over a vast, stunning landscape.

Boasting over 100 acres of gardens with plants from all corners of the world, the Harewood House grounds are perfect for any number of different walks and provide the setting for a huge number of events from concerts, festivals and even car rallies.

There is also the famous Bird Garden, featuring penguins, owls, flamingos and parrots, and for the younger visitors an Adventure Playground and the new Geopods interactive indoor play area that make Harewood House an ideal family day out.

Tropical World

Located in Roundhay Park, which has recently benefited from huge investment thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant, a trip to Tropical World will see you be able to view all manner of creatures from around the globe residing in their natural habitats.

Attractions range from tropical birds, butterflies, ignuanas, snakes, spiders and other insects in the rainforest area as well as fruitbats, monkeys, bush babies and sugar gliders in the nocturnal house and new born meerkats in the desert area. The swamp area is now home to the Moreleta crocodilies, reptiles upto two metres in length that are usually only found in the lakes and swamps of South America.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm

An interesting project which has received widespread acclaim is the Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. This initiative stemmed from the development of the City Farm movement that sprung up in the 1970’s as a reaction to inner city decline and strives to improve derelict land for the benefit of the community.

Situated in 14 acres in Meanwood Beck, it was officially opened in 1980 and has grown to become an important centre for community and environmental work. It has a working farm in addition to an organic market garden selling fresh produce and nature and picnic areas as well as the EpiCentre that provides exhibition space, classrooms, meeting facilities and was established to promote the aims.

Hollies Botanical Gardens

The Hollies Botanical gardens consists of twenty-two hectares of land and is home to four National Council collections for the conservation of plants and gardens. The site also benefits from flowering rhododendrons and azaleas, herbaceous borders, mature plants and large woodland walks, making it an ideal destination for those with a long afternoon on their hands.

Temple Newsam

Set within over 1500 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland the focal point of Temple Newsam is the stunning mansion that houses a number of works of art and home to a spectacular collection of paintings, furniture and pottery. The original ‘Home Farm’ is still in existence and there are over 400 animals in Europe’s largest working Rare Breeds Farm allowing visitors to wander freely around the yards.

The gardens cater for all tastes with the park being known for its rhododendron walk and houses several national plant collections. Temple Newsam also hosts many events each year including festivals and there are regular family activities, demonstrations, guided walks or tours that take place throughout the year.

About the Writer

Danny Pugsley