As a Wakefield-based family, we love to explore the free public play areas within the district. The recurring theme with all the recommended parks is that they are completely free of charge and are open to all of the public.
We have chosen a breadth of options located within a 10-mile radius of the city centre so they appeal to all families within the district.
These spaces are managed by the local council and community organisations, ensuring accessibility for residents and visitors. Below is a detailed table of the identified play areas, their pros, cons, and overall ratings, reflecting their suitability for family outings. These ratings are based on our own experience. All free play areas are an asset to the community however some are better updated than others which is reflected in the reviews.
We have also included detailed information on each park as well as links to our reviews of specific parks. This is more extensive with photography from our own visit to the park. Even though we live here there are still parks we are yet to visit so stick with us!
Table of Contents
- Wakefield Parks Overview Table:
- Additional information:
- Pugneys Country Park:
- Alverthorpe Meadows and Wrenthorpe Park:
- Anglers Country Park:
- Carr Lodge Park, Horbury:
- Hedleys Park, Newton Hill:
- Hemsworth Water Park:
- Illingworth Park, Ossett:
- Newmillerdam Country Park:
- Outwood Park:
- Pease Park, Pontefract:
- Pontefract Castle Play Area:
- Pontefract Park:
- Thornes Park:
- Walton Park:
Wakefield Parks Overview Table:
| Play Park Name | Pros | Cons | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pugneys Country Park | Themed play area (Pirates Cove Play Area) with pirate equipment, part of a larger country park with lakes and walking paths | May be crowded on weekends. | 4/5 |
| Alverthorpe Meadows and Wrenthorpe Park | Open spaces, surfaced paths, football pitch, playground for kids | Smaller play area, basic facilities | 3.5/5 |
| Anglers Country Park | Large country park, adventure playground, various amenities | Playworld has a small entry fee for children, and may have specific hours | 4/5 |
| Carr Lodge Park, Horbury | Good playground with baby swings, slide, tyre swing, rock climbing area, suitable for families | May be smaller, limited in variety | 4/5 |
| Hedleys Park, Newton Hill | Small playground, sports field, open spaces | Basic play area, limited equipment | 3/5 |
| Hemsworth Water Park | Adventure playground (Playworld) with tower slide, climbing frames, sandpit area, etc. | Playworld has a small entry fee for children and may have specific hours. | 3.5/5 |
| Illingworth Park, Ossett | Modern playground for children, football field, picnic areas | Smaller park, may not have as many attractions. | 4/5 |
| Newmillerdam Country Park | Large country park with nature trails and natural play areas. | There’s no specific play park on this one but it’s one of the most visited places in Wakefield. | 4/5 |
| Outwood Park | Children’s play area, historical significance, picnic areas | May not have as much variety as larger parks | 4/5 |
| Pease Park, Pontefract | Playground with slides, swings, cargo net, large grassy area | Basic play area, may not be as diverse as others | 3.5/5 |
| Pontefract Castle | Historical ruins, play area for children, free entry | Limited play equipment. | 4/5 |
| Pontefract Park | New themed play area with fairy-tale theme, suitable for various age groups | None at this time other than litter. | 4.5/5 |
| Thornes Park | Expansive play area with a host of activities. | Urban location can open it up to vandalism. | 4/5 |
| Walton Park | Play area with relatively new equipment, large grass area for sports and recreation. | Limited scope for older children. | 4/5 |
Note: Although we have visited most of the parks on the list we shamefully haven’t reviewed them all! Check back here often for more comprehensive reviews.
Additional information:
Pugneys Country Park:
- Location: Asdale Road, Denby Dale Road, Wakefield, WF2 7EQ (Pugneys Country Park – Wakefield Council).
- Description: A large, pirate-themed play area with equipment for various ages, part of a country park offering additional attractions like a miniature railway and nature trails.
- Pros: Offers imaginative play, suitable for families, and integrates with broader park facilities like the Pugneys Light Railway, enhancing the visit with diverse activities. Reviews highlight it as a “haven for kids” with swings, slides, and climbing frames.
- Cons: May be crowded on weekends.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, reflecting strong family appeal but acknowledging peak-time challenges.
Alverthorpe Meadows and Wrenthorpe Park:
- Location: Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, WF2 0NE (Alverthorpe Meadows and Wrenthorpe Park – Wakefield Council).
- Description: Includes a children’s playground with a football pitch and surfaced paths, suitable for younger kids and family activities.
- Pros: Offers additional sports facilities, accessible paths for buggies, and open daily. Reviews note it as a “lovely park with extensive walks and well-used children’s play area”.
- Cons: Smaller play area with potentially limited equipment. Some litter issues were reported.
- Overall Rating: 3.5/5, reflecting basic facilities but limited scope.
Anglers Country Park:
- Location: Haw Park Ln, Wakefield WF4 2EE
- Description: Adventure playground, set within a natural setting with walking and bike paths, suitable for pushchairs.
- Pros: Natural environment, calming walks, and accessibility for families with young children.
- Cons: The play area could do with a revamp as some of the equipment is dated. Council seem to focus on trails and café rather than play facilities.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, given the natural focus over play facilities.
Carr Lodge Park, Horbury:
- Location: Carr Lodge Park, Horbury, Wakefield Rd, Horbury, Wakefield WF4 5HE
- Description: Features a good playground with baby swings, slides, tyre swings, a rock climbing area, and football goals, catering to various ages.
- Pros: Diverse equipment, suitable for younger children and sports enthusiasts. Community events like the Horbury Show enhance family visits.
- Cons: Other than your usual litter there’s nothing of note which sticks out to us as a con.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, based on equipment variety.
Hedleys Park, Newton Hill:
- Location: Newton Hill, Wakefield, 62 Noble Rd, Wakefield WF1 2JD
- Description: Small playground with football pitch and large field, basic facilities for children.
- Pros: Open space for additional play, suitable for casual visits.
- Cons: Smaller play area with limited equipment, may not engage older children.
- Overall Rating: 3/5, reflecting basic facilities.
Hemsworth Water Park:
- Location: Hemsworth, Wakefield, Hoyle Mill Rd, Kinsley, Pontefract WF9 5JB
- Description: Includes Playworld, an outdoor adventure playground with specific hours, part of a water park setting with lakes and beaches.
- Pros: Offers additional water park activities.
- Cons: Limited hours, potential costs for some activities, may require planning. Can be a little dated in places.
- Overall Rating: 3.5/5, balancing facilities with accessibility constraints.
Illingworth Park, Ossett:
- Location: South Ossett, Wakefield, 151 Manor Rd, Ossett WF5 0LH
- Description: Modern playground for children with football field, catering to active families.
- Pros: Modern equipment, sports facilities, suitable for active play. Community events like the Illingworth Gala enhance the appeal.
- Cons: No specific cons, but may be busy during sports events.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, based on modernity and facilities.
Newmillerdam Country Park:
- Location: Wakefield, WF2 6QQ (Newmillerdam Country Park – Wakefield Council).
- Description: Includes natural playgrounds (I know, not a playground) within woodland trails, picnic spots, and adventure trails, offering a natural play experience.
- Pros: Natural setting, diverse activities like bird spotting and creepy crawley hunts, family-friendly trails..
- Cons: Doesn’t have a specific play area but it’s so popular we had to include.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, reflecting strong natural appeal.
Outwood Park:
- Location: Outwood, Wakefield (Outwood Park – Wakefield Mumbler).
- Description: Revamped in 2017 with a wide range of equipment, supported by community events from Friends of Outwood Park.
- Pros: Modern, varied equipment, community engagement through events. Historical significance with remnants of old colliery (Outwood, Wakefield – Wikipedia).
- Cons: No specific cons identified, urban setting may limit natural space.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, based on recent upgrades.
Pease Park, Pontefract:
- Location: Pontefract, Wakefield district.
- Description: Features playground equipment including slides, swings, cargo net, and a large grassy area.
- Pros: Diverse play options, open space for additional activities. Community initiatives like Tiny Forest enhance natural play.
- Cons: Basic towards larger parks but great if you live in the area.
- Overall Rating: 3.5/5, reflecting standard facilities.
Pontefract Castle Play Area:
- Location: Pontefract, Wakefield district (Pontefract Castle – Wakefield Council).
- Description: Castle-themed play area with battering ram swing, drawbridge, ramparts, cargo nets, and two slides, part of the historic castle grounds.
- Pros: Unique thematic play, historic setting enhances the experience, suitable for imaginative play.
- Cons: Limited scope when the weather is not playing ball.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, reflecting unique appeal but with access considerations.
Pontefract Park:
- Location: Pontefract, Wakefield district (Pontefract Park – Wakefield Council).
- Description: A recently revamped play area with a fairy-tale theme, featuring dragon hunts, gingerbread houses, and a 9m tall giant’s unit, suitable for babies to 14-year-olds, opened in 2023 with a £450,000 investment.
- Pros: Themed equipment enhances imaginative play, caters to different age groups, and is part of a park with additional amenities like a racecourse and nature reserve.
- Cons: Busy during peak times.
- Overall Rating: 4.5/5. Very good modern park. One of the highlights of the area.
Thornes Park:
- Location: Wakefield, WF2 area (Thornes Park – Wakefield Council).
- Description: Opened in December 2022, features inclusive equipment like wheelchair-accessible roundabouts, sensory panels, a train-themed toddler area, and a 9m tall giant’s unit, catering to children of different abilities.
- Pros: Inclusive design, modern equipment, and additional park facilities like a bike park and miniature railway, making it versatile for family visits.
- Cons: Urban location can open it up to abuse, graffiti and litter.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, based on modern facilities and accessibility.
Walton Park:
- Location: Walton, Wakefield district.
- Description: Recently revamped with new play equipment, slides, swings, bridges, basketball, and a large grass area.
- Pros: Modern, varied equipment, suitable for sports and play. Nice play area for smaller kids.
- Cons: Perhaps not suitable as children get older. It’s more geared towards the smaller end of the scale.
- Overall Rating: 4/5, based on the relatively recent upgrades.
Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.