The write up made it sound fascinating, 470 acres with 200 acres being ancient woodland and a designated nature reserve. We decided this was the place for our outing.
The first thing we saw when we parked our car was the pond. There were lots of people fishing, both young and old.
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Lottery funding was awarded to regenerate Middleton Park in 2008 and this visitor centre and cafe was constructed. It was being well used.
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A bandstand was also built and there's now regular events staged in the park.
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We decided that we'd take one of the many tracks which lead in to the woods.
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This is the largest ancient woodland in Leeds.
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The pathways are great for those less able. As we had Archie with us, we decided to venture off the beaten track so that he could have a good sniff around.
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Oak dominates the woodland, and there's lots of ferms here too.
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We found lots of rope swings.
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I enjoyed looking at all the different shapes of trees, some were really very peculiar.
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There's lots of streams and ponds in the woods and a number of small bridges have been constructed so that you don't get your feet wet.
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You could have been forgiven for thinking it was a dull day being shaded by the canopy of leaves, but every so often, the sun streamed through.
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Eventually we came to a clearing.
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Just a little further on we found Middleton Railway. This is the world's oldest continuously working public railway. It was founded in 1758 and is now a heritage railway run by volunteers.
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As you can see, this station is the end of the line.
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We walked back through the woods, this time taking a different route and encountering different things to those we'd previously seen.
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Middleton Park isn't very far away from us, it's at the other side of Leeds, but still surprising that we didn't know about it. We'll definitely return.
That looks to be somewhere where you can go year round and always see plenty of interest with the changing seasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that I've seen a post elsewhere about here which ended with the same words! Flighty xx
I think you're right. I bet the woodland is stunning in autumn, I think we'll have to make a return trip then. It's great to see places such as this benefit from Lottery grants, such a worthwhile cause which the whole community can enjoy.
DeleteI can see that your dog loves these outings too. Those trees are fascinating.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteArchie loves to go on outings with us, but he sleeps well afterwards. I love all the different shapes that trees grow in to, and of course, the rest of the woodland too.
DeleteWhat a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
It's somewhere we'll definitely go again. I quite fancy a walk there in autumn.
DeleteLooks like a great place to go, Jo. :o)
ReplyDeleteI think now we've found it, we'll return regularly.
DeleteWhat a fabulous find. The paths will be handy for when the weather isn't so good and you don't want to go adventuring in the mud!
ReplyDeleteAnd with lots of rope swings, that really is a plus, though I would prefer the cafe!
Lisa x
I would prefer the cafe too. There's lots of other interesting things there which I didn't mention in this post, so we'll definitely be going adventuring again. As you say, it's a good place for a walk in winter when woods are usually mud baths, the paths will make it a pleasant walk.
DeleteIt's great to discover new places close to home. This looks like a great find.
ReplyDeleteIt's somewhere we'll definitely go again, lovely for a walk around and great for Archie to have a run too.
DeleteIt looks fabulous! Twice recently I've discovered places local to me that despite living here for 18 years I hadn't known about. I think it can be easy to overlook what's on your doorstep sometimes. I bet you'll be back often now you've found Middleton Park :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we often go much further afield instead of exploring places nearer to home. Middleton Park is somewhere we'll go often now, especially as it's such a lovely place to walk Archie.
DeleteHow it's changed. More than ten years ago, when we lived in South Leeds, we'd walk my in-law's dog in Middleton Park when we dog-sat him. It looks a lot better now, I have to say! x
ReplyDeleteI think a lot's been done to it over the last few years from what I can gather. Perhaps you could go back and have a look at the changes they've made. I think they have children's events on at the weekend so it could make a good, family day out.
DeleteIt's lovely to discover new local places. It looks as if the park will be a good place to walk all the year round. Jx
ReplyDeleteI bet it's lovely in autumn when all the trees are changing colour. I think we'll have another trip there soon.
DeleteMiddleton Park looks like a good place to take a walk with Archie. Parks with woodland are great places to explore and it's good that there's a well maintained path as an option and a cafe to sit and take a rest.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great how they've put the paths in, right the way through the woods. It really makes it accessible to those less able, but also makes it a place where you can visit whatever the weather. The pond was being very well used by fishermen too.
DeleteWe have never actually been to Middleton Park - when we went to the railway gala we had a train tide there and back but never got to get out. maybe we should go one day.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely walk through the woods from the park to the railway. I'm looking forward to going back again in autumn, I bet the colours will be gorgeous.
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