The Gnome Roam, Newmillerdam, Wakefield

The Gnome Roam at Newmillerdam has fast made it to one of my favourite ever family walks. It’s FREE, interactive, fun and is absolutely beautiful.

We’ve walked round Newmillerdam a few times and on this sunny day the car park was full and lots of people were out enjoying the circuit round the lake. But once off the lakeside we only passed a couple of people and were able to soak in the fantastic woodland walk in peace.

Location and website: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/gnoam-roam

Route: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/sports-leisure/parks-countryside/gnome-roam-leaflet.pdf It starts at the back of the car park and is well signposted all in way round in both directions.

Parking: Coin only pay and display

Facilities: Toilets at far side of lake. There’s a couple of pubs and cafes too, we went to Lakeside for a gorgeous Antipasti Platter.

Distance: 1.8 miles

Accessibility: Most of the route is surfaced and fairly flat, but it’s steep in places. There’s also a short grassy section. At the start avoid the steps by taking the track to the left and then cutting up on the steep path to the right. It’s a workout! But after this the rest is much more manageable.

You can avoid these steps at the start by taking the steep track to the left; be prepared to push!

This is a lovely family walk, where you find the gnomes and complete the various activities as you go round. My favourite activity had magnifying glasses to look at some bugs, genius!

Whilst we’ve walked round the lake before we’ve never ventured up into the country park, and so I’m so pleased this takes you up there it’s gorgeous ❤️ The bear is in a particularly impressive area of woodland!