Middleton Park Review For Families

We’ve been meaning to do a proper review of Middleton Park for a while now. You might already know it as the giant green space that wraps around the Leeds Urban Bike Park (which we’ve raved about here), but it’s much more than just a spot for cycling.

This place is huge, varied, and full of the sort of outdoor family fun we love. It’s a fantastic spot for families, dog walkers and runners with trails, play areas, tennis facilities and a lovely cafe. Best of all, it’s completely free.

Where is it located?

Middleton Park sits in South Leeds, around four miles from the city centre. The main entrance is on Town Street (postcode LS10 3SH), and there’s a free car park just off that. It’s also well served by buses, and if you’re cycling in, there are stands near the visitor centre and bike park. You can also park at Leeds Urban Bike Park, which has its own parking facility and a lovely cafe too and cycle to the Play area from here. It’s good to combine both, but you can easily spend hours at both separately. 

History of Middleton Park

There’s a bit of everything here – ancient woodland, mining history, heritage railway, and even a replica horse gin (which is surprisingly interesting when the kids aren’t pulling you towards the playground).

The parkland was once part of a grand estate and has traces of medieval mining dotted through the woods. In 1919, it was gifted to the people of Leeds, and since then, it’s slowly transformed into the vibrant family space it is today, helped by community groups and lottery funding. It’s an incredibly well-maintained park and one of the best in Leeds.

What is there to do?

Loads. Honestly, it’s one of those places where you keep discovering new bits each time you go.

Here’s what we explored:

• Brilliant Playground – Near the visitor centre, this is a proper park with all the things kids of all ages will enjoy. Slides, climbing bits, swings, all well-kept and safe.
  
• Woodland walks and mini-adventures – The woods are perfect for family rambles. We spotted squirrels, climbed on fallen logs, and ventured off the beaten path. It was January at the time of visiting, so fewer photos due to cold hands!
  
• Fishing lake and duck-spotting – There’s a peaceful lake with benches around it. People do fish here, but we just ventured around it as part of our walk.
  
• Middleton Railway – This was a hit. You can ride a real heritage steam train from the bottom of the park (at Park Halt) and learn about the park’s mining past. It’s a short ride, but the kids loved it.
  
• Events and activities – Check the noticeboards or the Friends of Middleton Park site. They run regular events like bug hunts, summer shows, Shakespeare performances and nature crafts.
  
• Leeds Urban Bike Park – While technically next door, it’s all part of the same visit for us. The bike park has family-friendly trails, a pump track, and a great café. If your kids are on bikes, it’s a must. We’ve written a separate review of this linked above.
  

Facilities

• Visitor Centre & Café – The café is open daily with drinks, snacks, sandwiches and sweet treats. It’s simple but good value. There are indoor and outdoor tables, plus toilets and baby changing facilities inside.
  
• Toilets – Located at the visitor centre. Clean, accessible, and well looked after.
  
• Sports facilities – Tennis courts (you can book), a multi-use games area (great for older kids), bowling greens and even an outdoor table tennis table.
  
• Accessibility – The main paths are tarmacked and buggy-friendly. There are obviously woodland paths which are less accessible, but the main areas are well-maintained and great for all.
  

Would you recommend it?

Without hesitation.

Middleton Park ticks nearly every box for us,  big open space, woodland for exploring, bikes nearby, a playground, café, and loads of little surprises like the railway and lake. We’ve been back several times and always found something new.

It’s one of those places where you can have a fantastic family day out without it costing anything. There are obviously cafe facilities, but even with the obligatory ice cream stop, it’s a cheap day out for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a café?

Yes – it’s part of the visitor centre near the main entrance. Good for drinks and light snacks, with indoor and outdoor seating, toilets and baby-changing. You can also visit the cafe near Leeds Urban Bike Park. 

What is your favourite part?

It’s a good, all-around day out. Great play area, expansive space and plenty of varied activities. There’s not one specific part which stands out. It’s just good, solid, family fun. 

How much is it?

Completely free! You only need to pay if you fancy a coffee or hop on the train.

Are there bike trails?

Yes – the fantastic Leeds Urban Bike Park is right on the edge of Middleton Park. It’s ideal for families, with beginner and intermediate trails, a pump track, and a welcoming café. We’ve done a full review here.

Is there suitable parking?

Yes, there’s a free car park off Town Street. It can get busy at peak times, but we’ve always found a space. Alternatively, if you are bringing the Bikes, you can park at Leeds Urban Bike Park, who have its own parking area. This gets busy, so we tend to get there for opening. 

Is it buggy and wheelchair friendly?

Yes. The main paths are smooth and easy to navigate. Suitable for buggies, and there are accessible toilets at the visitor centre.

Pros & Cons

Park enjoyment rating

Last Updated on July 15, 2025 by Ryan