Parks and playgrounds in Leeds

Roundhay Park, north Leeds: two playgrounds and big lakes

Roundhay Park covers over 700 acres, and the council lists no entry charge. Tropical World’s FAQ says the park has 2 playgrounds, the largest next to the Tram car park off Princes Avenue. The council says the playground near the Tram car park has accessible play equipment.

• Water: the byelaws ban bathing or swimming in any waterway without reasonable excuse, and stepping onto any frozen water.
• Parking: charged 8am to 8pm daily, from £1.20 for up to 2 hours. Pay by contactless card or PayByPhone.
• Toilets: Tropical World’s FAQ puts the public toilets next to the Mansion. The official pages give no toilet hours, and the park page does not mention baby changing.
• Dogs: Leeds lists children’s playgrounds among its dog exclusion areas.

Middleton Park, south Leeds: a playground across the pond

Middleton Park covers over 470 acres, and the council lists no entry charge. It has a playground, a fishing lake, woodland and a visitor centre with a cafe. Its map shows the playground across the larger pond from the visitor centre.

• Short hours: the visitor centre, cafe and toilet open 10.15am to 2.15pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm at weekends. The official pages mention no other public toilet.
• Water: the byelaws ban bathing or swimming in any waterway without reasonable excuse, and stepping onto any frozen water.
• Paths: tarmac paths around the parkland suit wheelchair users. The council does not describe the woodland paths.
• Parking: the park page does not mention parking. The council’s price list includes the Leeds Urban Bike Park car park, charged 8am to 8pm daily from £1.20.

Kirkstall Abbey: a large playground beside the ruins

The park around Kirkstall Abbey has a large playground, with space to picnic and walk by the river. Abbey entry is free under Give What You Can, with a suggested £5 donation per person if you are able.

• Hours: from October to March the abbey opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The abbey and café are closed on Mondays.
• Underfoot: some areas of the grounds are cobbled or uneven. Our own tip is to keep young children close on the river walks.
• Toilets: the accessible toilet in the visitor centre has a baby change unit.
• Parking: a large free car park on Abbey Walk, then a short but steep hill down to a pedestrian crossing. A less steep route and ramped access are also described.

Horsforth Hall Park, Horsforth: inclusive play for under 8s

Horsforth Hall Park is a council community park with no admission charge listed. Its integrated play area lets disabled and non-disabled children under 8 play together. Older children get a playground with a Spider’s web climbing feature, a skate park and a trim trail.

• No toilets listed: the council says there are no disabled toilets, and lists no other toilets or café.
• Parking: the main car park off Hall Lane has two disabled bays. The council does not say whether it charges.
• Paths: the council says paths suit wheelchair users and all entrances are wheelchair accessible.

Fun Arium at The Arium, Whinmoor: free play with house rules

Fun Arium is a free outdoor play area at The Arium, the council plant nursery in Whinmoor. It has a castle for ages 5 to 12, a toddler area for ages 1 to 4, a sand zone and a music area. Donations are invited to help keep it free.

• Hours: 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday. Closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
• Rules: children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Only food and drink bought at The Arium may be eaten there, and no glass bottles. Only assistance dogs may go into the play area.
• Facilities: toilets, baby changing and parking for 70 cars. The official pages mention no parking charge and no covered play.

Temple Newsam, east Leeds: lakes, long walks and an accessible playground

The Temple Newsam estate has three lakes, a walled garden and many miles of informal paths. The access page says many trails are steep in parts. A Changing Places toilet with a hoist and bed sits next to the accessible playground, and it needs a RADAR key.

• Charges: parking is paid, but the visit page does not list the charges. The House costs extra.
• Roads: Elm Tree Walk is closed to motor vehicles. Use the West Entrance for the House car parks, or the North Entrance for the Farm car park.
• Wheels: push wheelchairs may struggle on gravel and cobbles. Free outdoor wheelchairs and scooters can be arranged on 07891 270 750.
• Baby changing: in the stable courtyard toilets, down a sloping path onto cobbles.

Golden Acre Park and Chevin Forest Park: walks, not playgrounds

Golden Acre Park is on the A660 near Bramhope. The council calls its circular route around the park and lake well maintained and fairly flat. The council page does not mention a playground, and its park map shows none.

• Water: there is a lake, streams and ponds. The byelaws ban stepping onto any frozen waterway.
• Facilities: public toilets include a Changing Places facility, but baby changing is not mentioned. The café opens 10am to 3.30pm daily in winter.
• Parking: charged 8am to 8pm daily, from £1.20 for up to 2 hours. The council map marks an underpass from the car park across the A660, so hold hands near the road.

Chevin Forest Park is woodland and heath on the steep ridge above Otley. Our venue page mentions no play equipment.

• Steep ground: Visit Leeds says much of the land is steeply sloping. The Friends of Chevin Forest Park call the Surprise View ridge path short and fairly flat.
• Plan for no toilets: the park page still lists the White House Café and its toilets, but a council report says the café closed in 2020.
• Keep close: timber lorries may use some tracks, and there are crags.
• Parking: five pay and display car parks, charged 8am to 8pm daily from £1.20. The Yorkgate car park closes at 6pm.

Which place suits your family?

• Inclusive play: Horsforth Hall Park for under 8s, or the playground near Roundhay’s Tram car park.
• Toddlers who need a toilet: Fun Arium, with toilets and baby changing on site.
• Play plus history: Kirkstall Abbey, on any day except Monday.
• A long walk: Golden Acre Park on fairly flat paths, or the Chevin in boots.

Frequently asked questions

Which Leeds parks have a playground?

Roundhay Park, Middleton Park, Kirkstall Abbey’s park, Horsforth Hall Park and Temple Newsam. Fun Arium is a free play area at The Arium.

Are Leeds parks free?

The council lists no entry charge for Roundhay, Middleton, Golden Acre, Chevin Forest or Horsforth Hall parks. Kirkstall Abbey and Fun Arium are free, with donations invited. Several car parks charge.

Which parks have few or no toilets?

Horsforth Hall Park lists none. The Chevin’s only listed toilets are at a café that a council report says closed in 2020. Middleton Park’s visitor centre toilet keeps short hours.

Can adults go into the playgrounds on their own?

Not at Middleton Park or Horsforth Hall Park. The byelaws let people aged 14 or over into those play areas only when in charge of a child under 14.

Can I bring a picnic to Fun Arium?

No. Only food and drink bought at The Arium may be eaten in the play area.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Leeds venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.

Photo: Tim Green, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).