The Best Parks and Green Spaces in Yorkshire

Set among 110 acres (45ha), this park, in the grounds of the stately home of Oakwell Hall, offers guests a snapshot into the history of the Elizabethan house as well as a chance to explore the nearby countryside. It’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon. Outside the Grade I listed house, the park has a nature trail around the grounds, a playground for the kids and picnic tables dotted around that offer an idyllic spot for a packed lunch.

This Grade II listed English Heritage site has plenty to offer its guests, from beautiful scenery, sporting activities and even woodland to explore. The gardens, in the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate, east of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, feature some of the most pristine flower beds in the country, with seasonal displays replanted throughout the year. Outside the gardens, there are also activities available, including mini golf, a kids’ play area and a boating lake, to name just a few.

Spread over 500 acres (200ha) of the historic estate of Bretton Hall, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. The park features sculptures from some of the world’s most lauded artists, including Damien Hirst, Ai Weiwei and Tony Cragg, to name a few. Temporary exhibitions run throughout the year, and the park has plenty of workshops and courses on offer for those wanting to try their hand at sculpting.

Opened in 1884, Greenhead Park near Huddersfield is one of the top attractions for locals. After a major refurbishment a decade ago, the park has seen vast improvements to its landscaping and infrastructure. Ideal for a summer’s day, Greenhead Park has plenty of wide-open spaces for a relaxing picnic. If you want something a bit more active, however, the park also has a skate park, several tennis courts and a paddling pool for younger swimmers.

A gold winner in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest and green flag-awarded park in the heart of West Yorkshire, Manor Heath Park is a huge attraction in the area. There’s plenty to see and do, including the Jungle Experience, a series of converted glasshouses showcasing hundreds of species of plants and animals. The park is free to enter, open all year round and runs workshops with the countryside team for guests to take part in.

Classed as a Unesco World Heritage site, the grounds of Fountains Abbey feature the oldest monastic ruins in the UK. Outside the 900-year remnants, though, the park has plenty of other attractions on offer, from its traditional English water garden, abundant wildlife and remarkable architecture. Although it’s open all year, come in summer for a chance to see the wildflowers bloom across the grounds.