Taking place from July 28th to August 6th, Love Parks Week 2023 is UK-based environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy’s annual campaign that celebrates parks, green spaces and the people that look after them.
Excellent places to connect with nature and get some fresh air, exercise or peace and quiet, spending time in parks – or any pleasant outdoor space – can also benefit our mental health, so ensuring they’re well taken care of and accessible to all is extremely important – and most of all, free to enjoy!
Anyone living in and around Leeds knows there are no end of wonderful parks in our region, so which ones should you prioritise visiting over Love Parks Week 2023? We take a look!
Roundhay Park
One of the biggest city parks anywhere in Europe, Roundhay Park sets an incredibly high standard for all other Yorkshire parks to live up to.
And with 700 acres of lush and beautiful parkland, woodland, gardens and lakes, plus playgrounds and a skate park for kids, it’s easy to see why.
The park is also home to a massive amount of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, foxes, swans and woodpeckers, so visitors are pretty much guaranteed to see something special while they make their way around one of its five different trails.
Roundhay Park, Roundhay, Leeds. LS8 2ER.
Beckett Park
Tucked away in the bustling suburb of Headingley is Beckett Park, an oasis of calm among the area’s high-energy vibe.
Featuring plenty of wide open spaces lined with cherry blossoms and other trees, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a spot of sunbathing or ball games when the weather’s fine. It’s also a great spot for a walk whatever the weather, with wooded areas carpeted with bluebells and even a hidden monument to Queen Victoria!
Beckett Park, Churchwood Avenue, Headingley, Leeds. LS16 5LF.
Pudsey Park
Home to more than seven acres of grassland, sprawling gardens and a huge variety of trees, it’s no surprise that the award-winning Pudsey Park is one of Leeds’ most popular green spaces.
Walkers will have a great time strolling around the Gothic-style Church of St Lawrence, while those with a competitive edge can enjoy a game of bowls on the green and music-lovers can take in live music from the park’s traditional bandstand.
Throw in a large playground and a skatepark to keep younger family members entertained and you’ve got a park that can comfortably call itself one of Yorkshire’s best days out.
Pudsey Park, Church Lane, Pudsey, Leeds. LS28 7RR.
Gotts Park
Looking for Leeds’ best place to exercise in the fresh air? Look no further than Armley’s own Gotts Park.
Spread over 74 acres of green spaces, gardens and woodland, Gotts Park is a must for fitness fans. Boasting numerous picturesque walks around the likes of a Grade II-listed fountain and a war memorial, not to mention an 18-hole golf course at the nearby Gotts Park Mansion, this is a brilliant place to get out and get active.
If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could even tackle the notorious ‘Killer Steps’ – a set of 161 Victorian steps that are guaranteed to test your limits!
Gotts Park, Armley Ridge Road, Leeds. LS12 2QX.
Hyde Park
Also known as Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park is another of the region’s most popular public parks and one of the oldest.
Boasting five breath-taking, tree-lined avenues that meet in the centre, Hyde Park provides visitors with jaw-dropping views of Kirkstall Valley and the opportunity to enjoy a stroll around a plethora of Victorian statues.
In addition to all the open grassland, Hyde Park is also home to allotments, tennis courts and a skatepark, meaning it has something for everyone to enjoy.
Woodhouse Moor, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. LS6 1SJ.
Enjoy Love Parks Week with Leeds Credit Union!
Although entry to these parks are free, we know that days out to public spaces usually incur some costs for families to bear. If you need a small loan to help you cover your expenses this summer, you can apply to borrow as much as £1,000 with one of our Family Loans by clicking here.