Quick answer
Thornes Park is Wakefield’s main open space. It has a play area that opened in December 2022, a duck lake, a skateboard park and a 2-mile circular path. It is outdoors, so it suits a dry day, and the council’s park page lists no entry charge. The council says the park is open every day and does not suggest a visit length. The council lists the miniature steam railway as running most weekends in summer. It gives no winter dates, so do not count on a ride in November or December. The council lists toilets only during the leisure centre’s opening hours, and that centre is closed on Sundays.
Is it right for my child?
- Playground fans: a new play area opened in December 2022. The council lists a train-themed toddler area, a “giant’s unit” nearly 9m tall and a double zip line.
- Little knights: a motte and bailey castle-styled play area has an embankment tube slide. In the middle of the park is a mound that was once a castle site, which the council says gives great views of Wakefield.
- Children of different abilities: the council lists an inclusive swing seat, a basket swing, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and low-level sensory panels.
- Bird spotters: the park has a duck lake and a small aviary.
- Older children and teens: there is a skateboard park, plus exercise stations along the circular path.
- Garden lovers: the council lists a walled garden and conservatory. Its page does not give their opening hours.
- Safety: the giant’s unit is nearly 9m tall, and the lake is open water. Keep young children within reach at the lake edge and on the tallest equipment.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the toilet hours before you go. The council lists toilets as available during Centre opening hours, and the leisure centre is closed on Sundays.
- Do not promise a train ride in November or December. The council lists the miniature steam railway as running most weekends in summer.
- Bring wellies or sturdy shoes for the 2-mile circular path and the castle mound. The council page does not describe path surfaces.
- Pack your own snacks and drinks as a backup, because the council page does not give café opening hours.
- Choose your car park in advance. The council lists three car parks but does not give their charges on the park page.
- Note the council’s parks contact number, 0345 8 506 506, in case you need to check anything on the day.
Prices and tickets
The council’s Thornes Park page lists no entry charge for the park.
- Play area, lake, aviary and skateboard park: the council page lists no charge for any of them.
- Miniature steam railway: the council page gives no fares. It lists the railway as running most weekends in summer.
- Parking: the park page lists three car parks with no prices. The Thornes Park Stadium page lists free parking among the stadium’s own facilities.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Toilets: the park page says toilets are available during Centre opening hours. It does not name the centre. The only hours on that page are for the leisure centre and athletics track by the Horbury Road entrance.
- Leisure centre hours: Monday 12pm to 8.30pm, Tuesday to Friday 7.15am to 8.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 1.30pm, and closed on Sunday.
- Baby changing: the council’s park page does not mention baby changing, so bring a changing mat.
- Pushchairs: the 2-mile circular path runs around the park. The council page does not say whether it is surfaced or step-free all the way round.
- Toddlers: the play area has its own train-themed toddler area.
Food and drink
The council lists Stork Lodge Café and the Holmfield Hotel among the park’s facilities.
- Opening hours: the council’s park page does not give hours for either, so check with them before you rely on a hot lunch.
- Picnics: the council page does not mention picnic tables or a picnic area.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Thornes Park, Horbury Road, Wakefield WF2 8TY. The council says the park is less than a mile from the city centre.
- Car parks: the council lists three car parks for the park. Its page does not give charges, opening times or Blue Badge spaces for them.
- Stadium car park: the Thornes Park Stadium page says regular, disabled and cycle parking is available, and lists free parking among the stadium’s facilities.
- Horbury Road entrance: the leisure centre and athletics track sit by this entrance.
- Buses and trains: the council pages we checked do not name bus routes or a station, so check with your travel operator before you set off.
When to visit
- Every day: the council says the park is open every day. Its page does not give gate times.
- Sundays: the leisure centre is closed on Sundays, and the park page links toilet availability to Centre opening hours.
- Saturdays: the leisure centre opens 8.30am to 1.30pm.
- Miniature railway: the council lists it as running most weekends in summer. Its page gives no winter dates.
- Christmas and New Year: the council’s park page does not mention Christmas or New Year arrangements for the park, the café or the leisure centre.
- Rainy days: the council lists a conservatory but does not give its opening hours, so plan for a dry day.
Additional needs and disability support
The council lists inclusive play equipment at Thornes Park, and the stadium page lists disability facilities.
- Inclusive play: the council says the play area has equipment for children of different abilities. It names an inclusive swing seat, a basket swing, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and low-level sensory panels.
- Parking: the Thornes Park Stadium page says disabled parking is available.
- Stadium: its page lists Disability Access and adapted cycle hire among its facilities. That page gives no times or prices for adapted cycle hire.
- Not listed: the council’s park page does not mention a Changing Places toilet, an accessible toilet, a sensory guide or quiet times.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thornes Park free?
The council’s Thornes Park page lists no entry charge for the park or its play area. It does not give charges for its three car parks, while the stadium page lists free parking at the stadium.
Is the Thornes Park miniature railway running in winter?
The council lists the miniature steam railway as running most weekends in summer. Its page gives no winter dates, so do not count on a ride in November or December.
Are there toilets at Thornes Park?
The council says toilets are available during Centre opening hours. The leisure centre opens Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday, so plan ahead for a Sunday visit.
What is in the Thornes Park play area?
It opened in December 2022. The council lists a train-themed toddler area, a giant’s unit nearly 9m tall and a double zip line. A castle-styled area has an embankment tube slide.
Is Thornes Park good for disabled children?
The play area includes an inclusive swing seat, a basket swing, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and low-level sensory panels. The council page does not mention accessible toilets or path surfaces.
Is there a café at Thornes Park?
The council lists Stork Lodge Café and the Holmfield Hotel among the park’s facilities. Its page does not give their opening hours.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Wakefield Council pages for Thornes Park and Thornes Park Stadium. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
