Sands Playground, Holmfirth Review For Families

A beautiful spring weekend called for an outdoor adventure, and Sands Playground in Holmfirth delivered! With blue skies and sunshine (a rare treat in March), we jumped into the car and headed off to explore. I wanted to head back to Holmfirth for some time. We really like this part of Yorkshire and I hadn’t been with the kids so the Sands Playground seemed like a nice spot to enjoy. We went without any expectations and it was far better than we imagined.

Spoiler alert: It’s a fantastic spot for families, and there’s way more to it than just a playground!

Where is it located?

Sands Playground sits right next to Holmfirth Leisure Centre, making it an easy find. If you’re not local, Holmfirth is a picturesque town in West Yorkshire, famously known for ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’ It’s got plenty of charm, great walking routes, and lots of little cafes to pop into after a play session.

History of the Sands Recreation Ground

The Sands Recreation Ground has been a hub of outdoor fun for generations. Over the years, it has been updated to include a playground, multi-use games area (MUGA), and a skate park. Most recently, a fantastic hard-surface path was added, leading straight into Holmfirth, making it even better for walkers and cyclists.

The new hard surface seemed like a huge success and was used by dog walkers, ramblers, families and cyclists. I was speaking to a local in the park and he said it’s a relatively new addition. It enables you to safely get into Holmfirth (which can be busy with cars) without going near the main road.

What is There to Do for Families?

Plenty! The playground itself has a great mix of equipment for different ages. Barney loved the toddler-friendly slides and swings, while Matilda was all about the climbing frames and the more challenging obstacles.

Right next door, there’s a multi-ball area, which was packed with kids kicking footballs and shooting hoops. We didn’t bring a ball this time (rookie error) but it didn’t matter as we had plenty to do with the river, walking path and the playground. Next time we plan to bring our Swimming gear too and join one of the family fun sessions.

The real surprise however was the new hard-surfaced path running alongside the field. It takes you directly into Holmfirth, popping out at the Co-op car park. It’s completely traffic-free and follows the river, making it an easy and scenic walk or cycle. It sounds like such a small thing but when you run a cycling for kids website you notice these traffic-free additions more closely. 

It’s such a simple, inexpensive addition which has improved the experience for many. We saw teenagers riding their bikes with friends, families walking along the path and dog walkers all enjoying this route. I’m reliably informed this was a muddy track previously so it’s a huge addition for the local community.

Facilities for Families

Toilets & Changing Facilities:

The leisure centre next door has all the essentials, including baby changing. I’m unsure if this is accessible for non-paying customers but with the parking requiring payment (after two hours) you would assume it would be ok?

Cafés & Food:

The playground itself doesn’t have a café, but Holmfirth is packed with options. We grabbed lunch at Sid’s Café, famous for its role in ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ (history points for the parents!). We also had a wander around the town and grabbed some ice cream too. 

Parking:

There’s parking available at the leisure centre, so no need to stress about finding a spot.

Areas for Improvement

While the play area is fantastic, one area for improvement would be the surfacing. On our visit, parts of the space were quite waterlogged, limiting where the kids could play. A better drainage system or upgraded surfacing would make it an even better experience for families, especially during wetter months.

Would you recommend it?

Without a doubt! Sands Playground isn’t just a play park—it’s a full-on family-friendly destination. The combination of play equipment, the ball game area, and the new cycle/walking path makes it a winner. Plus, being able to combine it with a trip into Holmfirth for food or a mooch around the town makes it even better.

We didn’t have any expectations before we visited (it’s the way we like to approach things) but I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. Easy parking, lovely scenery, a great town within walking distance and a good playground made it an ideal spot for an inexpensive day out

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a café?

Not on-site, but Holmfirth is overflowing with cafés. We highly recommend Sid’s Café if you want a side of TV nostalgia with your tea.

What was your favourite part?

We loved it all. If I had to choose I would say the new path linking this area with the town centre. We assumed we’d have to jump back into the car and find parking in the centre but this made it a breeze and a lovely walk too.

Is it good for dog walkers?

Yes! The open spaces and riverside paths are great for dogs, though you’ll want to keep them on a lead near the playground and ball games area.

How much does it cost?

It’s completely free! (Always a bonus.)

Is there a skate park?

Yes, and it’s popular with older kids and teenagers. It’s separate from the main playground but they are very close together (see pictures)

Can we get into Holmfirth from the playground?

Yes! The new hard-surfaced path takes you straight into the town centre. It’s completely traffic-free, making it perfect for little legs and bikes.

Can you park at the leisure centre?

Yes, parking is available right next to the playground. Super convenient.

Pros & Cons

Park enjoyment rating

Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Ryan