Springhead Park is a lovely public park located in the heart of Rothwell just below Rothwell Country Park. It’s a park that’s frequently used by all the community, offering lots of sports and recreational activities that families and individuals can enjoy. Our last visit was on a really cold day in December but we still enjoyed it! We have been before this on sunnier days too when there is an ice cream van at the bottom of the hill which we obviously had to run down to! I have included our most recent photos with a couple of oldies too.
The park seems to be a popular spot for all ages, young and old, and is full of recreational activities to do here – tennis courts, public gardens, aviary, skate ramps, café, mature trees, grassland, seasonal planting, and beckside walks. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this attractive public park.
Where is it located?
Springhead Park is located in the heart of the Rothwell, South Leeds, just below Rothwell Country Park. It has free on-site parking facilities, and there is also parking available nearby if you are visiting the shops also. The address of the park is Springhead Park, Park Lane, Rothwell, Leeds, UK.
History of Springhead Park
Springhead Park was originally named Rothwell Public Park and was created between 1935 and 1937. The western end of the park was created with a grant from the West Yorkshire Joint District Miners Welfare Committee and was opened in 1935. The eastern end of the park was funded by the Yorkshire Miners Union and was opened in 1937.
The park included tennis courts, a children‘s playground, and a bowling green from 1936. Over the years, the park has undergone several renovations and now boasts several facilities that cater to families.
What is there to do for families?
Springhead Park provides a versatile space for families, friends, and couples to enjoy the outdoors in a welcoming environment. There is plenty to see and do here for all ages, and the park offers excellent facilities that make for a great visit for a couple of hours. Here are some of the highlights
Play Areas For Children
The Park boasts two different playgrounds that cater to different age groups for children, located just up from the bowling green in the main section of the park. With distinct play areas designed for different age groups, the kids found themselves amidst the swings, slides, and climbing frames.
Matilda and Barney both loved the equipment and we stayed in the play park for as long as we could withstand the cold!
Bike-friendly Paths
As a family that loves cycling, we were thrilled to discover the bike-friendly paths at Springhead Park. After play park, we decided to explore the park on two wheels.
Matilda enjoyed cycling around and Barney was just behind her on his balance bike. We think it is a pretty good place to practise or learn to cycle as there are lots of smooth pathways and they are not that close to any roads which is what we worry about as parents don’t we.
Tennis Courts
Another great facility at Springhead Park is the tennis courts, which are free to access throughout the year. There are four floodlit hard courts that are fully accessible for anyone wanting to play tennis.. You will need to book a court space on LTA Clubspark’s website.
Stream
At the bottom of the hill is a nice little stream where B & M enjoyed throwing sticks and playing Pooh sticks. They liked running across the bridge too. This is just next to where the aviary is. The only thing to note is that there is water so for little ones to be watched at all times.
More play park photos
Gardens
We were impressed by how well the park is kept, and the fantastic gardens created as a part of the Dementia Friendly Rothwell initiative in association with Leeds City Council. The garden includes scented and colourful planting at ground level and raised beds, plenty of new benches and handrails, as well as wide paved accessible paths. The aviary is quite nice – we didn’t get down to it the last time we went but I have taken Matilda previously.
Skate Park
The park also features a skate park located alongside the Pavilion Café, featuring various obstacles suitable for skateboarders, roller skaters, in-line skaters, BMX riders, and scooter riders. It’s perfect for kids looking for a bit of adventure and excitement.
Walk-Run
For those who prefer a more laid-back activity, the park offers ample space for a leisurely stroll or an invigorating run. The far end of the park, with its secluded paths, is quite nice place to walk or run in peace.
And if you like doing Parkrun – I think this is on a Saturday here doing a 5km route looping the park.
Facilities At Park
The Park includes popular recreational facilities and areas further afield offering quiet seclusion. The amenities at the park include:
- Pavilion Café
- Bins dotted around the park
- Benches.
- Toilets can be found in The Pavilion Café, towards the park next to the tennis courts.
We had lunch at home but wanted a treat, so we headed to the Pavilion Café, a charming brick building overlooking the park. It was quite sweet really because before we got to the door a guy opened it for us to greet us! We said we only wanted ice creams (yes even in December) but that was fine. The cafe had been updated since I had last been a few years ago and it is a really nice atmosphere.
Areas For Improvement
There was quite a bit of litter which is such a shame but we see it everywhere now. If everyone could just take home what they brought with them – it sounds so simple doesn’t it?
Would you recommend it?
Yes we would. I used to work at Rothwell Primary so I always hope I will bump into one of my children from my old classes! Springhead Park defnitely has a lot to offer for families and individuals for an hour or two. We enjoyed the bike-friendly paths, gardens, playgrounds, and skate park. With plenty of space to walk, run, and play, it’s a great place to spend a day outdoors.
The park also has free on-site parking and a lovely café. We highly recommend visiting Springhead Park Rothwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have compiled some commonly asked questions about Springhead Park to help you plan your visit.
Is there a café?
Yes, there is an on-site café called The Pavilion, serving homemade food as well as a selection of warm and cold drinks. The café has indoor and outdoor seating and sells refreshments, breakfasts, and light lunches.
What is your favourite part?
That’s a tough one! We loved the variety of play equipment, throwing sticks into the little stream, and the friendly cafe.
Is it suitable for Dog walkers?
Yes, the park is dog-friendly, and there are freshwater streams throughout the park to cool your dog on hot days.
Can we bring our bikes?
Yes, you can bring your bikes to the park, and there are paths specially designed for biking. Bringing your bikes is a fantastic idea to explore the park’s bike-friendly paths and enjoy a family ride amidst nature’s beauty.
Is there parking available?
Yes, there is free on-site parking available within 100 yards of the tennis courts.
Is there any entrance fee for visiting the park?
Nope, Springhead Park is an open-access park, inviting everyone without any entrance fees.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great walking routes
- Nice cycle paths
- Good facilities (skate park/tennis)
- Enjoyable playground.
Cons
- Close to the road at some points.
Park enjoyment rating
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Springhead_Park%2C_Rothwell_-geograph.org.uk-_3858144.jpg
Hi I am Beth, mummy to Barney & Matilda and wife to Ryan. I love to do many things – explore, exercise, spend time with loved ones, read – to name a few. For paid work I teach primary children, I teach Bikeability, I work on our businesses, and we are always dabbling in something together. I like to write for our blog, and I am here for our children every day wherever they need me, and for that, I am very happy. We love to experience new and old adventures, whether that’s on our bike or via foot or further afield. Whatever you do in life, try to do it with passion, care and kindness.