Roundabout in Roundhay Park: A Circular Walking Tour in Leeds
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Roundhay Park is one of Leeds’ premier outdoor spaces, and a treasure trove of natural beauty and unexpected secrets. On this walking tour around one of Europe’s largest parks, you’ll hear the intriguing stories and fascinating history beyond its sweeping vistas, which many of its thousands of annual visitors miss.
This circular walk starts and ends at the Roundhay Park Main Car Park. Along the way, you’ll take in some of the park’s many sites, including the impressive Mansion with its Garden Room Café, the Roundhay Castle, and the picturesque Canal Gardens. Roundhay Park boasts lush, verdant landscapes and relaxing lakeside walks, and on this tour, I’ll guide you along its prettiest (and most interesting) paths. As you make your way around Waterloo Lake, I’ll dive into the park’s history and show you some of its more manicured areas, like the Specialist and Coronation Gardens.
My name is Sarah and I grew up less than a mile away from Roundhay Park. The park has played a big part in my life, from school trips and park galas, to the lakeside walks and trips I take to the Lakeside Café nowadays. Because who doesn’t enjoy a ‘Cake and a Lake?
On this circular tour of Roundhay Park, you’ll:
- Find out about the visionary landscape designers and philanthropists who transformed what was once a private estate into the expansive park we see today
- Discover the unlikely story of how Roundhay Park briefly served as an international airport (yes, really!)
- Explore the quirky Roundhay Castle, a whimsical folly that’ll spark childlike wonder and imagination
- Learn how Michael Jackson memorably celebrated his 30th birthday here, together with thousands of his singing fans
- Hear about the bizarre antics of a whacky Victorian tightrope artist who wowed audiences in the park with his daring high-wire stunts
- And much, much more!
This walk will take approximately 75 minutes to complete, and there are plenty of opportunities along the way where you can enjoy a cup of tea or treat yourself to an ice cream. If you have time, there’s also Tropical World and some beautiful formal gardens to explore.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or just looking to spend a leisurely afternoon outdoors, this Roundhay Park tour has something for everyone.
Please note: There are some moderately steep downward steps close to the beginning of the tour, and parts of the route follow some moderately steep hills on unsealed pathways and grass. My alternative tour, ‘Roundabout in Roundhay Park: a Step-Free Tour in Leeds’, takes a shorter route suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Sarah
My name is Sarah, and I love sharing the stories that make places feel real. Whenever we visit somewhere, we experience just one brief moment in its long life. That moment is unique to us—but the place has seen gazillions of others before we arrived. Generations of people have passed through, each leaving their own mark, big and small, and creating many fascinating tales.
On my tours, I reveal the hidden stories behind the place; the surprising events, local characters, and long-forgotten details that bring a location to life. My aim is to help you see beyond what is there now and connect with who has been there before you.
“Everywhere we go, there is a story to tell!”
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 17
Charles Blondin
Possibly the most bizarre story about Roundhay Park occurred here at the Upper Lake in 1894, when Charles Blondin, a world-famous tightrope walker of the time, made multi... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Roundhay Park
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Roundhay Park Main Car Park
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Soldiers Field Playground
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The Park Arena
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Lakeside Playground
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The Lakeside Café
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Waterloo Lake
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Roundhay Castle
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The Upper Lake
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The Mansion- Weddings
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The Garden Room Cafe
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The Specialist Gardens at Roundhay Park
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Tropical World
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Coronation Gardens
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Canal Gardens
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationPrinces Ave, Roundhay, Leeds LS8, UK
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Total distance3km
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Final locationPrinces Ave, Roundhay, Oakwood, Leeds LS8, UK
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Distance back to start location55.72m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at Roundhay Park's main car park which is just off Princes Avenue in Leeds. The carpark is close to bus routes which run frequently to and from the city centre.
Once in the car park, walk away from the road towards the far end of the car park where you will see a footpath and a children's play area. The tour starts at the beginning of the footpath.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are several places to stop for refreshments including the Lakeside Cafe, the Mansion and Tropical World, and there are also lots of ice cream vans (even in winter!)
Accessible (step free) washrooms are available at Tropical World. There are also washrooms available at the Mansion.
Best time of day
From dawn to dusk. The park is busier at weekends and holidays.
Precautions
Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Bring sunblock, a hat and water in warmer weather; an umbrella and/or waterproofs if it's raining. Parts of the park route can get muddy in wet weather so wear appropriate footwear.
There are some moderately steep downward steps close to the beginning of the tour, and parts of the route follow some moderately steep hills on unsealed pathways and grass. My alternative tour, ‘Roundabout in Roundhay Park: a Step-Free Tour in Leeds’, takes a shorter route suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The route passes along the side of lakes and canals. Please take care when close to the water.
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