One positive to come out of the Covid lockdowns was the chance to explore more of Leeds, our home city. It didn’t take us long to discover that there’s a multitude of brilliant walks right on our doorstep in Leeds city centre.
The Leeds Liverpool canal is a key feature of many of the routes. Cutting straight through the heart of the city, it gives quick and easy access to the rolling countryside surrounding Leeds.
From RSPB reserves to country estates, here’s a list of our 13 favourite walks and routes from Leeds city centre. These were a revelation during lockdown, and we’ve continued to enjoy them ever since.
Our Favourite Walks in South and East Leeds
1: Exploring the Temple Newsam Park & Estate
From pristine landscape gardens to thick woodland, Temple Newsam is an excellent spot for a varied walk from Leeds city centre.
Whilst the sweeping lawns around the main house are an excellent place for enjoying a picnic in the sun, it’s the wilder woodlands of the Temple Newsam estate which are the best areas to walk. Head up the bridleway for a fantastic view of the house before cutting into the tree line.
Here, you’ll enjoy a hugely varied woodland and a few surprises along the way. Perhaps you can find the clearing with dozens of makeshift shelters, or the occasional rope swing hanging from a branch.
The aptly named Sunnyside Walk is probably my favourite spot here. Created in 2017, this trail leads through a lovely, quiet corner of the Temple Newsam woods. You’ll rarely find anyone else down here, and it’s a perfect spot to reconnect with nature.
How to get to Temple Newsam from Leeds city centre: Temple Newsam is just over an hour’s walk from Leeds Dock. Head east along the canal and join the path to Temple Newsam at Skelton Lake.
2: Enjoying the wildlife at RSPB St Aidan’s
This has been one of our favourite lockdown walks near Leeds. We first discovered RSPB St Aidan’s in February 2020, back when you could use a ticket machine without needing to douse your hands in a dollop of sanitising gel afterwards. Ah, the good old days.
This is one of several sites around Leeds reclaimed from its industrial past. St Aidan’s heritage as an open cast mine is hard to miss, with its lakes and walkways overlooked by the hulking beast that is the “walking” dragline excavator.
It’s just about far away from the city that it never feels busy, even on a sunny weekend afternoon. That being said, it’s at its best on a weekday, when you can all but guarantee the quieter trails to yourself.
There is a wide variety of wildlife to be spotted here. From kestrels hovering overhead to rare migratory birds such as the elusive Slavonian grebe, St Aidan’s is a treasure trove for both casual and dedicated naturalists.
How to get to St Aidan’s from Leeds city centre: St Aidan’s can be reached in two hours from central Leeds. Head east down the canal to Lemonroyd Marina before cutting into the RSPB reserve.
3: Strolling around Skelton Lake
Skelton Lake is halfway between Leeds Dock and RSPB St Aidan’s. It’s a lovely little spot, just a two-minute detour from the canal towpath – undoubtedly one of the most easily reachable walks in Leeds.
The lake itself is beautiful and sparkles bright blue on a sunny day. Swans, coots, moorhens and cormorants are consistent residents here, and I’ve even spotted the occasional kingfisher zooming around the banks.
How to get to Skelton Lake from Leeds city centre: Skelton Lake is an hour’s walk from the city centre. Alternatively, it’s a 5-minute (yes, 5 minutes!) drive from Leeds Dock. It’s super accessible thanks to the recently opened service station hidden behind the treeline. As motorway stops go, this has to be up there with the best in the UK!
Read more: The best things to do during 48 hours in Leeds
4: Admiring the views from Rothwell Country Park
Directly across the canal from Skelton Lake is the very pleasant Rothwell Country Park. This is another site that has been reclaimed and given a new lease of life, having previously been a colliery.
There are lovely woodland trails and some cracking views of the Leeds skyline from the generously named “summit”, which stands at a mighty 70 metres. Pack the oxygen masks.
How to get to Rothwell Country Park from Leeds city centre: Head east along the canal from the centre and enter the park near Skelton Lake. The walk should take you about an hour.
5: Getting lost in the woodland of Middleton Park
The bluebell carpet covering the woods around Middleton makes this a perfect spot for a spring walk. Middleton Park is also home to the world’s oldest continually working railway, dating back to 1758. Who knew?!
With everything from a duck pond to wide-open meadows, as well as lovely woodland, this is an excellent spot for a casual stroll. Despite being surrounded by a city, it feels like a little oasis of countryside.
How to get to Middleton Park from Leeds city centre: Middleton Park is just over an hour’s walk from Leeds city centre. However, much of this is uphill, so I’d recommend catching the 12 or 13 bus to Middleton Park Road and walking back into the city.
Our Favourite Walks in Leeds City Centre
6: Coffee and a wander at Leeds Dock
Leeds Dock is a perfect waterfront oasis in central Leeds, and it is an excellent spot for a lunchtime or post-work wander.
The dock is home to the excellent Royal Armouries museum, several fancy offices, and even a TV studio. You can also find our favourite café, North Star – grab a coffee and a pastry from here before strolling around the area.
How to get to Leeds Dock: The best way to reach Leeds Dock is via water taxi from the train station. Otherwise, it’s a ten-minute wander from the centre of Leeds. For more ideas of what to see and dock at Leeds Dock, click here.
7: Admiring the architecture on a “City Centre Circular”
It’s easy to ignore a city centre when looking for lockdown walks. However, the reduced footfall means there’s hardly been a better time to wander the streets of Leeds without being swept along by crowds.
My top tip for walking around Leeds city centre would be to look up! There are some stunning buildings here, but they fade into the general “noise” of shop fronts and city life all too often. Take advantage of the chance to explore at a slower pace, and you should start to notice things that would otherwise have stayed hidden.
Our Favourite Walks in North and West Leeds
8: Exploring the ancient ruins of Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey dates back to 1152. These days, the abbey is run by Leeds City Council and stands amidst a popular area of parkland on the banks of the River Aire. Admission to Kirkstall Abbey is completely free.
As your walk to Kirkstall Abbey from Leeds city centre, you’ll pass by a few towering old brick mills, reminders of the area’s industrial past. These will eventually give way to parkland and the occasional collection of houses before the imposing ruins of Kirkstall Abbey come into view.
How to get to Kirkstall Abbey from Leeds city centre: Head west along the canal to Kirkstall before cutting through to the abbey and surrounding park. The walk should take you just over an hour.
9: Catching some rays at Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park is frequently touted as one of Europe’s largest city parks. It is as colossal as it is popular, attracting thousands of daily visitors – particularly in the summer months.
Roundhay has everything – from woodland to lakes and cafés to castles. It is a perfect spot to combine walking, relaxing, and socialising. Safe to say, visiting Roundhay Park is pretty much a rite of passage for any Leeds resident.
How to get to Roundhay Park from Leeds city centre: Roundhay Park is just over an hour’s walk from the centre but is most easily reached by bus. The 12 and 13 run regularly and will save you a walk uphill.
10: Hiking the Meanwood Valley Trail
The Meanwood Valley Trail is a “green artery” that cuts straight through northwest Leeds, connecting some of the city’s most popular outdoor spaces. It makes for an excellent adventurous walk from Leeds city centre.
From the start of the trail at Woodhouse Moor to its end at Golden Acre Park, this popular route will take you through some of the best woodlands in Leeds. Once you’ve completed the 7 Mile walk, you’ll have hit the rolling countryside north of the city and enjoyed some fascinating sights – such as the remains of the Seven Arches Viaduct – along the way.
How to get to the Meanwood Valley Trail from Leeds city centre: Head to either Woodhouse Moor or Golden Acre Park, and start walking! There are plenty of bus stops along the way.
12: Duck-spotting at Golden Acre Park
On the cusp of the city is Golden Acre Park. This is another favourite for a casual but varied walk in North West Leeds.
Grab a coffee from the on-site tea rooms, and head off to explore the popular trails around the lake and woodland.
The stars of the show at Golden Acre Park are the colourful mandarin ducks who reside on the lake’s calm blue waters. Feeding the ducks appears to be a real favourite family pastime here, so it’s no wonder the place is teeming with life.
How to get to Golden Acre Park from Leeds city centre: You can either follow the Meanwood Valley Trail or catch the X84 bus from the city centre.
13: Watching the red kites at Harewood House
Despite living in Leeds for several years, we’d never visited Harewood House until recently. So, safe to say, we’ve been missing out – there are some fantastic walks around the estate.
Arriving just after sunrise, the first thing you’ll notice is the dozens of red kites soaring overhead. Their call is unmistakable and is the perfect soundtrack for an early morning walk.
The woodland and walking around Harewood is beautiful and varied. You could easily spend a whole day exploring all the paths and trails. Best of all, it’s completely free – you only need to pay an entry fee if you want to visit the attractions around the house itself.
How to get to Harewood House from Leeds city centre: If you feel like a longer walk, the Leeds Country Way connects Harewood with Golden Acre Park. In theory, you could create a mammoth walk from here to the city centre. However, you’re probably best hopping on the 36 bus. It leaves every 15 minutes and takes under half an hour to reach Harewood.
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Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.
Thanks for your comment – it’s certainly great to have so many places to explore here!
I can’t say I’ve ever been to Leeds (apart from maybe passing through on a train), but I think I might have to stop off there one day. These walks look wonderful. 🙂
It’s definitely one of those places which can surprise you, but a bit of local knowledge here can go a long way 🙂 We’re certainly lucky to have discovered these walks here in Leeds! Thanks for reading!
The UK has some fantastic bits. These walks look lovely. Thanks for the article! Stay safe 🙂
Thanks Martin – just got back from a morning walk to the RSPB reserve, still enjoying these walks! Hope all’s well with you 🙂