This great country park is one of my favourite places to visit. It has some truly beautiful spots and lots and lots to see for little ones. Painted rocks and fairy doors have started becoming a common sites in Eshald Wood, enough reason on they’re own to go and look!

Distance: Various, a full circuit is roughly 5km but there are lots of options for shorter potters!

Parking: A few designated areas at the South East side, perfect if you want to do a canal loop or a full circuit with a pub stop in Woodlesford half way round. Roadside parking is also available around the junction of Fleet Lane and Eshald Lane.

Accessibility and path conditions: Mixed. The canal paths are fine for buggies, as is the main path through Eshald Wood. Many other paths may be possible in dry weather but are unsurfaced so are frequently uneven, narrow and can get muddy and boggy!

Facilities: Local facilities in Woodlesford.

Vlog: Watch my YouTube video on a walk around the park here.

Key features

Eshald Wood

This small woodland, adjacent to Eshald Lane, is perfect for children to explore, with little footbridges, a mix of trees for nature collections, and locals often leave painted stones and fairy doors!

The canal paths

There are good paths at either side of the canal, and you can do a circular walk. At the South side cross at Lemonroyd Bridge and walk around the back of the old depot site, at the North side, beware you have to cross Wakefield Road to use the pavement over the bridge which can be busy. To the north of Wakefield Road is the gorgeous Woodlesford Lock, and South of Lemonroyd Bridge is Lemonroyd Marina. Both worth taking a look at.

Between the River Aire and the canal is a small hill. Small in size but big on views… you rarely see a soul about and can enjoy the scenery in peace.

My favourite walk

To fit in a walk that gives you a taste of the best bits, I enjoy the route below (covered in this YouTube video). Park at the red cross and follow the red route. Although not all paths are marked on the map, they are well trodden routes. If you fancy popping to a pub for a spot of lunch, the Midland is on the blue route, marked with a blue cross. A short warning that the path adjacent to the railway line can get a little muddy and overgrown at times.

Have you been here before? There are lots of options to extend this walk with plenty of other routes nearby

• A summary of ALL local walks here

• Woodlesford Lock
• Lemonroyd Marina, Methley and St Aidens
• Oulton Hall Perimeter Walk
• Rothwell Country Park
• Methley Estate from Woodlesford (also starting on Eshald Lane)

Let me know if you visit!