A short distance outside of Leeds is the market town of Otley, which is overlooked by the stunning Otley Chevin. The Chevin is a steep wooded ridge that has some stunning views of the Wharfe Valley and is a beautiful and tranquil place to escape to, especially on a weekend or summer evening.

Explore Otley Chevin Park

It’s a fantastic place to explore and it’s somewhere that you can really see the seasons change. Being largely woodland, it’s fairly sheltered, and it’s lovely on sunny days when dappled sunlight comes through the trees to light up the forest paths. What’s great about the Chevin is that you can choose routes according to your circumstances.

Walking on the Chevin in Otley

If you want an adventurous ramble there are lots of little pathways running up and down, and through the woods. However, if you want a more sure footed path, or have prams / buggies with you, there are wider, sturdier pathways you can use. It can be muddy following wet weather, so bear that in mind when heading out.

The Chevin is great for picnics and fruit picking

There are parts of the Chevin where the forest clears into open spaces, and you get a fantastic view across Otley and the Wharfe Valley. These areas are great for picnics if the weather’s good.

In the summer the bilberry bushes are bursting with fruit, and later the blackberries come out too so it’s a fantastic opportunity to get some delicious free fruit direct from the source. (It’s worth bringing along some tupperware!)

Where to start

If you start at Johnny Lane or the right hand side of East Chevin Road you will find some beautiful open areas and wildflower meadows. However, I tend to drive up East Chevin Road and use the car parks on the left. Going along the middle of the Chevin, there are wide sturdy pathways, so a good part of the Chevin to take children.

You’ll spot interesting wooden sculptures along the paths which depict different times in the Chevin’s history. You can find out more about this from The White House Café and Visitor Information Centre, (open Monday to Friday, 10am – 2pm).

Getting there

The Chevin is steep, so if you don’t have your own transport you’re going to have quite a climb to get going. There are bus stops at the bottom of the Chevin along Leeds Road and you can enter the Chevin from there, but I wouldn’t recommend climbing up this way if your health or fitness is low. If you arrive by car there are five car parks on the Chevin you can use.

These entrances have helpful information boards and good pathways leading off them.

Food and Drink

The White House Café and Visitor Information Centre has toilets and catering facilities. You will find information about the Chevin and some of its trails there too, but unfortunately it isn’t open at weekends. Lucky for hungry visitors there is The Cheerful Chilli on East Chevin Road.

These fantastic tearooms are in a beautifully converted farmhouse and serve a wide selection of very reasonably priced lunches, and cakes. The food is delicious, and in true Yorkshire style, the portions are hearty.

It is a vegetarian venue, but if you’re a dedicated meat eater, don’t let this put you off. I’ve seen the most resolute carnivore dig in with gusto to the flavoursome vegetarian food served there.

If you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, you can sit outside in the charming courtyard. Otherwise settle yourself within the recently renovated rooms, which have a relaxed, but bustling atmosphere to them.

When you enter, you won’t be able to miss the table in front of you bursting with the day’s selection of sumptuous food on offer, so if you weren’t hungry before you entered, you definitely will be when you see that.

Other food venues include the Royalty Pub, which is right at the top of the Chevin where you’ll also find Surprise View, the best view from the Chevin. There is also Otley town centre, which has plenty of places for food and drink.

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Day trip to Otley Chevin Forest Park

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I have never lived anywhere else but Leeds and since I created My Life in Leeds I have visited many places and attractions that I knew existed, but publishing a local guide has forced me explore the city more. I do not care what people say about Leeds, it is a fantastic place to live in, and as locals we should all get out and explore from time to time.

Short bus journey from the city centre

I decided to take my 14-year old nephew to Golden Acre Park; we caught the bus into the city centre from Pudsey and then jumped on the X84 bus. I don’t drive, so rely a lot on public transport and it does annoy me that bus services are so poor on a Sunday, but that aside we arrived at the park in around 25 minutes from the city centre.

For those driving to the park there is free parking available, but get there early because at the weekend and school holidays it fills up pretty fast – it was ¾ full at 11am when we arrived.

Family friendly open space

Walk through the car park, and you’ll see a bridge and tunnel that leads on to the lake which is home to swans, geese, heron and various species of duck. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around while you prepare the picnic. Be warned though, that BBQ’s are not allowed in the park, which is a shame, but understandable.

While researching the trip it was interesting to find out that rowing and motor boats sailed around the lake and in the centre stood a tower from which music and announcements were broadcasted to visitors. As you walk around the gardens you will notice a rail track where the miniature railway once ran.

Wildlife at Golden Acre Park

Golden Acre Park is home to lots of wildlife including wild birds, deer, fox, rabbits and squirrels. Next to the park is Breary Marsh, a local nature reserve, and an important conservation site. The gardens are impressive, I’m not the horticultural type, so I couldn’t tell you what was on display, but the blossom trees and flowers were in full bloom.

Eating out at Golden Acre Park

Relax and enjoy the sunshine on the patio, have a drink or a meal at the Bakery Coffee House. There’s also a kiosk that sells gifts, drinks and light snacks. At the entrance and exit to the park is an ice cream van. The park is well signposted and there are plenty of toilet facilities with special facilities for disabled people.

Walking around Golden Acre Park

From Golden Acre Park you can walk on the Leeds Country walk to Eccup reservoir and Harewood. The walk is signposted but I would recommend downloading a map because it can get confusing. Adjacent to park is Adel Dam where over 100 species of bird have been seen on the reserve, and is a nice stroll and educational for kids.

For the more adventurous (that’s us) you can walk from Golden Acre Park to Woodhouse Moor called the Meanwood Valley Trail. I am not sure what made us want to walk the 7 miles; it was probably the good weather. The first challenge was to find the signposts, because it was not very well signposted, but walk out of the exit on Arthington Road and walk up King Lane until you see the trail signposts.

We did not get the chance to visit the farm but it is worth visiting while you are walking along the trail – it is a 14-acre working farm, with nature area, shop, picnic area, visitor centre and cafe.

Cheap family day out in Leeds

Money is tight for a lot of people nowadays and trying to keep the kids occupied during a school holiday or weekend I suspect is a challenge. It cost me less than £15, and that included two day rider bus tickets which cost £7, the rest was spent on lunch and ice cream, so visiting Golden Acre Park does not have to be an expensive day out.

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Leeds day trip to Golden Acre Park

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With hundreds of acres of rolling parkland where you can roam in fairytale woods, stroll round lakes graced by elegant swans, view formal and themed gardens, and experience the wonders of Tropical World, Roundhay Park has just about everything you need for a fun family day out.

History of Roundhay Park

Once a fine hunting park for the aristocratic de Lacy family, Roundhay Park is now one of the largest municipal parks in Europe with a staggering 700 acres, including a beautiful mansion house dating back to the 1800’s, a folly, a mock castle, two lakes, and other interesting places waiting to be explored.

Take a walk around Roundhay Park

If you enjoy walks, there are plenty of paths and routes both long and short which provide a great way of getting to know the park better, and you can download maps showing these trails from the Roundhay Park website. There is also plenty of information available at the Roundhay Park Visitor Centre, which is in the conservatory at The Mansion, and which has interesting public exhibitions with interactive exhibits, as well as a shop with an attractive range of gifts and souvenirs.

Activities taking place on Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park is a good place for bird watching, and from time to time you can even hear woodpeckers making their distinctive tapping sounds in the trees. As for the lakes, Upper Lake is maintained as a wildlife area and Waterloo Lake is available for fishing. There is a natural amphitheatre called The Park Arena, and this has been used for major gigs, as well as bonfires and firework displays.

If you are feeling in a sporting mood then there are tennis courts, areas for skateboarding, sports pitches, bowling greens, and a golf course. But if you are not feeling so energetic, then just relax in the gardens which include a Monet Garden, an Alhambra Garden, and even a garden full of scented plants.

Must visit Tropical World

However, one of the great modern day attractions of Roundhay Park is Tropical World, with its vast collection of tropical plants, its stunning profusion of colourful butterflies, and its magnificent aquariums where you can see sparklingly bright fish flitting in the warm waters. In amongst the plants you will also find spectacular birds, and even the odd reptile. Tropical World has its nocturnal section (with bats!), a Desert House, and a jungle section.

Places to eat and drink near Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park has some good places to eat when refreshments are needed after all the activity and excitement. The Mansion has a Garden Room Restaurant that offers fine dining in elegant surroundings and on the edge of Waterloo Lake is the pretty Lakeside Cafe, which is a traditional continental-style café with freshly prepared lunches, cakes, pastries, and good quality coffee and teas.

If you fancy a spot of pub grub and a drink, then nearby are some good pubs where you can take the kids along as well. You can head for the family friendly White House on Wetherby Road, where you can get real ale, continental lagers, a variety of ciders, wines and even herbal teas. Go there on a Sunday, and you can tuck into the full traditional Sunday roast.

Another good pub nearby is The Deer Park on Street Lane which has recently been refurbished. They do cask ale, wine, cocktails and freshly prepared meals. Children are welcome and there is a relaxing patio and garden area. So if you are looking for the perfect family day out in the environs of Leeds then Roundhay Park is exactly the place to head for, offering plenty of adventure both indoors and out.

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Take the family on a trip to Roundhay Park

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Temple Newsam is a stunning Tudor-Jacobean house, sometimes referred to as the ‘Hampton Court of the North’. The main house, which is a Grade I listed building, and is a three-storeyed block with long wings projecting outwards towards the grounds. The estate lies around four miles to the east of the City, just south of Halton Moor and Colton. It is easily accessible by both bus and train from the City centre, with ample parking space for those travelling by car.

History of Temple Newsam house

The house dates back to the Doomsday Book, with the name derived from the Knights Templar, who acquired the estate in the mid-12th century and the house passed between a number of private individuals – and was the birthplace of Lord Darnley, infamous husband of Mary Queen of Scots – before the estate was sold to Leeds Corporation in 1922.

In recent years Leeds City Council have undertaken refurbishment of the building and the house is filled with paintings, silverware, ceramics, glorious wallpapers and furnishings and Chippendale furniture and now boasts one of the most prominent collections of art in the north of England.

The house has recently undergone substantial restoration to its exterior. There is an established programme of restoring rooms back to known previous configurations, reversing the numerous intrusive installations and modifications that took place during the buildings ‘art museum’ phase.

Temple Newsam estate

The estate is made up of much woodland – the second largest part of the Forest of Leeds – many of which join on to the surrounding estates of Leeds. There are facilities for sports including football, golf, running, cycling, horse-riding and orienteering in addition to a park. Also on the land is a café and gift shop, both of which have produce made on the farm for sale.

The estate also includes a working farm which was built in 1694 and is the largest working rare breeds farm in Europe, and only one of 16 nationally approved by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and houses pigs, goats, sheep, ducks and hens and visitors can also explore life on the home farm during feeding times.

The grounds are vast, with approximately 1500 acres of parkland includes parkland, woodland, lakes and gardens such as the 1920s Rose Garden. The parkland was landscaped by the famous ‘Capability Brown’ in the eighteenth century.

There are extensive gardens, with a noted rhododendron walk and six national plant collections. During the summer months in particular, the grounds are a haven for visitors and picnickers who come to Temple Newsam to enjoy the scenery and attractions on offer.

Tour around Temple Newsam house

The house has a regular programme of exhibitions and family activities with regular family activities, demonstrations, guided walks or tours that take place throughout the year, including ‘Hidden Temple Newsam’ a tour of cellars, underground passages and servant quarters and children’s activities and continues to be a popular destination during school holidays as a day out for families.

Temple Newsam is also the venue for two annual free concerts staged by Leeds City Council; Party in the Park and Opera in the Park, which have both been held on the site for over fifteen years and regular attract in excess of 50,000 people.

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Family day out at Temple Newsam

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The Leeds art scene is growing. As well as the two main art galleries on the Headrow there are several independent galleries and arts organisations which have developed over the last decade thanks to the hard work of artists and curators in the city. Leeds has a thriving visual arts community and it is possible to see a great deal of quality art if you know where to look. This guide tries to be as comprehensive as possible so please forgive me (and let me know) if I have missed anyone out.

Leeds Art Gallery

The city art gallery on the Headrow houses a collection of 20th century British art which was designated by the government as being of national importance. There are displays of painting, sculpture, drawing and video from the permanent collection and also a continually changing programme of exhibitions. Recently there has been a major show of the work of one of the most important British sculptors of the 20th Century, Henry Moore, who was from Castleford, the son of a miner. The Northern Art Prize exhibition is also held here.

There are three floors of exhibits, where works by historically important painters and sculptors such as Rodin, Henry Moore, Stanley Spencer and Barbara Hepworth are displayed alongside works by prominent contemporary artists such as Paula Rego, Brigit Riley, Mark Wallinger and Tacita Dean.

It is free to enter and the museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly. There is information about exhibitions and artists on the gallery walls and there is also a programme of interesting free talks. The Artspace, where weekend activities for children take place can be found by walking through the main exhibition space on the ground floor. To the left of the main entrance, the magnificent Tiled Hall Cafe sells a good selection of drinks, sandwiches and cakes.

The gallery is home to a maquette of Anthony Gormley’s 1986 ‘Brick Man’, the famous ‘sculpture that never was.’ Leeds city council decided not to commission this large scale statue for the Holbeck triangle and later Gormley went on to make Britain’s best-known sculpture, the Angel of the North.

Henry Moore Institute

Next to Leeds Art Gallery and connected by a walkway is The Henry Moore Institute, an international centre for the study of sculpture and a major exhibition space. You can enter by the front door in the centre of the shiny black marble facade or by crossing the bridge from inside the Leeds Art Gallery next door. The HMI has a programme of interesting exhibitions relating to sculpture and lots of well informed staff to answer any questions you have.

This award-winning space is a leading centre for research into sculpture, there is a programme of talks and you can browse through publications and catalogues in the entrance. Recent exhibitions include the Arte Povera sculptor Mario Mertz, an exhibition of the correspondences of Henry Moore and a collection of sculptural objects from the ice age.

Something people often don’t know, is that there is a library of books about sculpture upstairs which is a great place to spend a quiet lunch time and also an archive of drawings that you can visit. To use the library you have to join, ask at the desk, but to visit the archive of sculptors papers, drawings and sketchbooks you must write, telephone or email to make an appointment. Here you can get a close look behind the scenes at some of the work that goes in to making great sculpture. The sketchbooks of the artist and feminist Helen Chadwick are a highlight of the archive and they are also available to view online on the HMI website.

Project Space Leeds

Project Space Leeds (PSL) is an independent, artist led, contemporary art space. It has some great exhibitions and events focusing on contemporary art and also a little cafe. It is tucked away on the ground floor of the apartment building called Whitehall Waterfront and can be accessed either by walking along the River Aire waterfront walk or, less glamorously, from Whitehall road by crossing a large car park.

The Bowery

The Bowery is a small exhibition space where artists and makers from Leeds and the surrounding area show their work. It has some interesting exhibitions of contemporary art and also activities for families on Saturdays. There is a lovely organic coffee bar and cafe at the Bowery.

Shine

The Shine Business Centre is a magnificent conversion of an old school into a conference centre, office complex and art space. There is a programme of exhibitions which fills every room in with painting, printmaking, photography and drawing, all of which is for sale.

Test Space Leeds

Test Space is a not for profit arts organisation who run a variety of music, arts and culture showcases and events at their venue on Melbourne Street in Leeds city centre. Events they have organised in the past include exhibitions, pop up kitchens, and music gigs by working with local artists and other creative people.

The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery

This gallery is accessed by way of the Parkinson Building, University of Leeds, on Woodhouse Lane. Walk up the steps and go to your left once inside and you will find a small gallery which has an interesting series of temporary exhibitions, events and talks. Also in the main hall of the Parkinson building, every March, there is the annual International Artists Book Fair, an opportunity to buy collectible handmade books from artists and designers.

Leeds College of Art Exhibitions

There are several exhibition spaces within Leeds College of Art, all open to the public, where a programme of temporary exhibitions takes place. A wide variety of contemporary art work by established international artists and emerging British artists, many of whom work at the college, is shown.

The programme runs at both the college sites: one in Vernon Street, next to the city museum and another at Blenheim Walk, opposite the University of Leeds. A brand new gallery space will be opening soon at the Blenheim walk site too. See website for details or call in and pick up a programme from reception in either building.

Art in Unusual Spaces

In shop units and across Leeds City Centre, look out for a wide range of temporary exhibitions, events and installations in unused or empty shop units. A great way to make use of these spaces, check the website for details.

East Street Arts

The main Patrick Studio hosts regular events and exhibitions as well as housing the studios of many Leeds based artists and is also linked to Union 105, a small gallery on Chapeltown Road, LS7 3HY and the Art Market in the Merrion Centre market.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Places to visit for culture in Leeds

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Set amidst beautiful parkland in a stunning riverside location on the banks of the River Aire in Leeds are the preserved ruins of Kirkstall Abbey – still at their original full height. Built between 1152-1160 by Cistercian monks, Kirkstall Abbey is a wonderful example of a medieval Abbey, with many of its walls still intact. At Kirkstall Abbey, you will discover woodland trails, recreation spaces, tennis courts, and children’s playground. There is also a visitor’s centre with audio and visual presentations along with a guide to all ongoing activates.

Find your way to Kirkstall Abbey

It is easy to find along Kirkstall Rd, located just a couple of miles from the City centre and well served by both bus routes and nearby Headingly train station which is less than half a mile away. Admission to Kirkstall Abbey is free.

History of the Abbey

The Abbey was closed in 1534 on the command of Henry VIII, who had ordered the dissolution of all religious buildings and the gatehouse was blocked at either end as a result, forcing the monks. In 1926 Abbey House was bought by Leeds City Council and opened as a bygones and folklore museum; it is a Grade I listed building and underwent a £5.5 million restoration aided by a significant grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Kirkstall Abbey visitor centre

The visitors’ centre provides an informative visit, catering for all the family with interactive displays and presentations exploring the history of the Abbey, along with information of the special events that are hosted there, ranging from ghost walks to various festivals and not to mention an annual open-air concert. You are also able to experience the life of a medieval monk and take a step back in time and imagine how different life was for the monks compared to today, whilst also admiring the wonderful ancient stone work.

Walk around the Victorian streets

Across the road from the Abbey itself is the Abbey House Museum. The ground floor of the museum is set out as an area of Victorian streets, including a range of houses, shops and services, where you can even take some time out in the Hark to Rover Inn, a recreated model of a Victorian drinking house.

Special event days see people in traditional Victorian costume wander the recreated Victorian Streets, including the residential district of Abbey Fold that examines life and death in Victorian time as well as the displays showing rare 19th Century toys, games and dolls in the shop on Harewood Square.

Visit the Abbey House museum

There are also three galleries in the museum, along with information being displayed about the construction and history of the Abbey, and profile the history of Kirkstall Abbey, Childhood, and Leeds Social History, as well as staging temporary exhibitions from time to time.

There are various activities dotted around the museum, such as arts and craft tables where children can make masks, play with modelling clay and much more. There is also situated a cafe, a gift shop and a small play park, in addition to a local pub and Morrison’s supermarket situated nearby for those looking for something to eat.

Take a walk around the ruins and canal

On a sunny day, it is ideal to take a stroll through the parkland around the ruins. There are some lovely areas to walk, with plenty of space for a picnic or a walk down by the canal whilst the summer months in particular always attracts plenty of people setting up barbecues for the day, all adding to the atmosphere of one of the most interesting places to visit.

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Local guide of historic Kirkstall Abbey

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Harewood house and the gardens

Leeds is a city which is rich in history and packed full of interesting places to visit. One of the most versatile of these is provided in the gorgeous house and fabulous gardens of Harewood House. If you are looking for somewhere to take the family during the school holidays then a visit to Harewood estate is highly recommended.

Harewood House tour

Harewood House is a stately home only 15 minutes drive from Leeds. It was built in the mid-18th Century and boasts Robert Adam interiors, Chippendale furniture and gardens designed by Capability Brown. Don’t be fooled, however, into thinking that you can only enjoy Harewood if you are a history lover: there is more than enough going on there to provide a great experience for anyone who cares to visit.

Harewood house bird garden

There are, for example, over 100 acres of gardens in which you can picnic, play and feel generally as if you belong in a 1920s world where afternoon tea and boating after lunch were par for the course. Best of all (in my humble opinion) is the bird garden, which includes such exotic delights as parrots, flamingos and even penguins.

Over one third of the 90+ species of bird living at Harewood are threatened or endangered, so as a nice little philanthropic aside you can adopt a bird whilst visiting and help with their vital conservation. You can also get involved with feeding the penguins at certain times throughout the year.

Playground area for children

For children, Harewood is home to one of the best adventure playgrounds in Yorkshire. It includes a 20m zip wire, aerial walkways and climbing nets: kids of all ages will find something here to enjoy. The playground in its entirety, including a picnic area, covers more then 3 acres of ground.

There are numerous trails and walks through the grounds, all of them offering stunning examples of horticultural architecture. The Terrace gardens provide fantastic views over the countryside and also contain the Terrace Tearooms, with both indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy a cuppa whatever the weather.

Lakeside walks and picnics

There is also a beautiful lakeside walk, with glades that are especially rewarding in springtime, and woods that I would recommend visiting in the autumn, when the sumptuous reds and gold’s of the leaves are reflected in the lake. Situated within the grounds to the north of the house you can find All Saints Church. This beautiful building dates back to the 15th Century and is home to one of the largest collection of alabaster tombs in any English churchyard outside a cathedral.

One of the great things about Harewood is the amount that has been done to bring the place to life for a modern audience as well as keeping its historic integrity very much intact: ‘Art at Harewood’ is a programme of temporary exhibitions which take place throughout the house and grounds each season, making it possible to find something new despite numerous visits.

Impressive Harewood House

Moving into the house itself, you can see the beautifully decorated rooms complete with Chippendale furniture and a tea service that once belonged to Marie-Antoinette. You can’t fail to be impressed by its, well, impressiveness, but if you are anything like me the knowledge that the house was commissioned by Edwin Lascelles with money made from the sugar (and therefore slave) trade may dim its grandeur somewhat.

Harewood House events

As if all of the above wasn’t enough, you will also find events at Harewood throughout the year such as vintage car rallies, red kite walks, family story telling and open air concerts: check out their website to see what’s coming up. I have been to Harewood House many times since moving to Leeds, and each visit has provided a different experience that I remember with pleasure. I thoroughly recommend that you go and check Harewood House out for yourself.

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Take a family day trip to Harewood House

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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 a great family day out 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.

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Ideas for family days out with kids in Leeds

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If the little ones are feeling bored there’s nothing like a museum to engage their attention. Forget the idea of museums being stuffy places – modern museums are full of displays and activities for the young ones to enjoy, and Leeds has a good selection of historical, industrial, and art museums.

Leeds Art Gallery

In the very heart of Leeds, on the Headrow, Leeds Art Gallery makes for a terrific budget day out for the family as it is free. Not only do you have the Art Gallery with its fine collection of traditional and contemporary paintings, sculpture, drawings and prints, but also adjacent to it is the Henry Moore Institute, the Craft and Design Centre and Leeds Central Library. Connecting the Art Gallery with the library is the lovely Tiled Hall Café, which has to be one of the most beautiful cafes in Leeds.

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery

If your family really love art galleries, then you could also take a walk up to the University of Leeds where you will find the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery which displays innovative temporary exhibitions along with some lovely works from the University Art Collection. Entry is free, and you can always nip along to The Refectory for a reasonably priced meal.

Leeds Royal Armouries Museum

One of the top family days out in Leeds is the Royal Armouries. Children love the displays of falconry and the knights in full armour actually jousting in the Tiltyard! There are other animals too, in fact a whole menagerie of them. Also there is a Craft Court where you can see ancient crafts in progress such as gunmaking, armouring and costumery.

Thackray Museum

If you think there may be some potential doctors in the family then inspire your children with things medical by taking a visit to the The Thackray Museum next to St. James’s Hospital. Here you can take a look at some of the innovations that have led to the safe operations and medical procedures that we have come to expect in modern medicine. The exhibition gives a history of medicine and surgery from the mid-1800’s onwards. (Maybe not for the fainthearted though).

Abbey House Museum

Abbey House Museum is housed in what was once the gatehouse to Kirkstall Abbey, meaning that a visit to this museum can also be combined with a visit to the ruined abbey too. The ground floor of the museum is laid out as a complex of Victorian streets complete with shops, and upstairs you’ll find a variety of exhibitions, including a history of the abbey. Family tickets are five pounds.

Leeds City Museum

Right in the heart of the city centre, and on Millennium Square is Leeds City Museum. Bring the family here to enjoy the various exhibitions, games, and informative talks. Here you can explore Natural History, Ancient Worlds, Worldwide Culture, and Local History. And all this fun is for free.

Lotherton Hall

If you feel like straying a little further afield then get yourself off to Lotherton Hall, a beautiful country house not far from the Great North Road, and but thirteen miles from Leeds. There are some lovely grounds to enjoy, a Bird Garden, a play park for children, and, come the good weather, some great picnic sites.

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills is a great celebration of the industrial past of the area, and there are loads of fantastic working exhibits that children will love. Housed in a former woollen mill, not only is this one of the largest textile museums in the world, but you can also see a working Spinning Mule, a working cinema from of the 1920’s, and old steam engines. Family tickets are just a fiver.

Thwaite Mills

You’ll find more of the area’s great industrial past at Thwaite Mills. Water powered mills used to be all over the place, but now this fully restored working water mill on the River Aire is one of the few remaining ones in Britain. The mill goes back to the 1820’s and is now an industrial museum where children are fascinated to see the working water wheels and machinery. As well as the mill itself there is the manager’s house, which has been restored to its pre-1940’s and pre-electricity state.

So with all these cool things to do and see, there is no need for children in Leeds to ever feel bored.

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Leeds Map

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Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Leeds attractions for money conscious families

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3. Family friendly parks in and around Leeds

Despite Leeds being a major city with all that you would expect from an urban environment, you are never short of pleasant green spaces either, where you and your family can get active, enjoy gardens, or simply roam wild and get in touch with nature. There are large parks, small community parks, playgrounds, skate parks, formal gardens and woodland areas, so here are some good ones to visit.

Farnley Hall Park

Farnley Hall Park is four miles west of the centre, and is mostly open grassland which is much loved by children. The main feature of the park is Farnley Hall, and there is also a Ha Ha. There is also a pond with ducks which the kids will love to feed, a new children’s play area, formal gardens with flowerbeds, cricket wickets and woods to explore.

Golden Acre Park

Six miles north-west of the centre of Leeds, at Bramhope on the A660, is Golden Acre Park with gardens and mature woodland around a beautiful lake. As an extra bonus, next to the park you have Breary Marsh Nature Reserve, and both places are perfect for teaching your young ones about wildlife and conservation. Here you will find deer, fox, rabbits and squirrels. Around the lake you will see elegant swans, and also grebes, geese, heron and various species of duck.

Horsforth Hall Park

Horsforth Hall Park is a large community park about six miles north-west of Leeds city centre, with a Japanese Garden, an integrated play project where disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight can play together, plus a playground for older children with a fantastic climbing feature like a spider’s web. There is also a skatepark that is very popular.

Middleton Park

Four miles south of the city centre is Middleton Park with ancient woodlands dating back to at least 1600, with lovely old oak trees, streams, ponds, and all kinds of flora and fauna. There are tennis courts, a bowling green, a public golf course and nearby is the famous Middleton Railway which the children will also enjoy.

Kirkstall Abbey

Founded in 1152, Kirkstall Abbey is one of Britain’s best preserved abbeys, and you can still explore large parts of it free of charge. The visitor centre has exhibitions that give you the history of the abbey, covering all aspects of life there in its heyday – children will no doubt be interested to learn about the monks’ antiquated toilet system!

Kirkstall Abbey is only a quarter of a mile from Kirkstall Retail Park, so you can always round off the day out with pizza or a trip to the cinema.

Roundhay Park

One of the finest parks around Leeds has to be Roundhay Park with its superb expanses of parkland, gardens, lakes, and woodlands, as well as the thrilling Tropical World, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Despite being only three miles north of the city centre, the park is teeming with wildlife, including foxes, roe deer, moles, voles, rabbits and grey squirrels.

If your family is into birdwatching then here you will have a great time spotting woodpeckers, warblers, great-crested grebes, and other wild birds. Add to all this a cool skateboard park, bowling greens, a canoe club, tennis courts, football and cricket pitches and a grass cycling track, and you have one fantastic family day out.

Otley Chevin Forest Park

About ten miles from Leeds, and with free access, is Otley Chevin Forest Park with magnificent sloped woodlands offering some terrific views of the market town of Otley and the Wharfe Valley. Children will love exploring the slopes and paths of this huge park which is dominated by huge rock formations that rise to a height of 280m above sea level.

Orienteering and geocaching courses are organised in the park and these make great fun activities for children. If your children are interested in wildlife then they could join Chevin Wildlife WATCH Group, which is a fun environmental group for children aged 8-13.

Temple Newsam Estate

If you like formal gardens and old stately homes then take a look at Temple Newsam and its huge estate of gardens and woodland. There are colourful rhododendrons, scented roses and a wide variety of plants and flowers. Around these expansive grounds there are a number of trails making it the perfect place for family walks. Temple Newsam even has its very own farm with cattle, sheep, pigs, goat, chickens, ducks, and an old Georgian dovecote.

So if you need a break from city life and need to get close to nature, there is plenty of opportunity to do so around Leeds.

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Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Family friendly parks in and around Leeds

Related Leeds Guides

1. Leeds guide to Opera in the Park
2. Free money-saving things to do in Leeds
3. Tour around cinemas in Leeds