Wonders of Wakefield (WoW) – 21‑Mile Circular Route Review

I’ve ridden almost every section of the Wonders of Wakefield loop in isolation over the years, but this was my first time stitching the whole thing together in one go. I rode it with my mate Chris (who contributes to Family Cycling), and it reminded me why the WoW is such a brilliant showcase of Wakefield’s green spaces: lots of traffic‑free riding, links between our favourite country parks, and plenty of places to stop. 

This review gives a friendly, practical overview for families and recreational riders: what to expect, how to navigate, the best stop‑offs, and how to adapt the loop for younger legs.

Where is it located?

The WoW is a circular loop connecting Wakefield’s marquee spots—Pugneys Country Park, Newmillerdam Country Park, Anglers Country Park, Nostell Priory, Heath Common and nearby reservoirs. Being circular, you can start anywhere; Pugneys is popular thanks to its easy parking, toilets, and café.

Ride suitability level

• Overall difficulty: Easy–Moderate
  
• Why: Mostly flat, wide paths with a handful of short on‑road connectors on quieter lanes. Surfaces vary between well‑compacted gravel, tarmac cycleways and bridleway sections.
  
• Who it suits: Adult beginners with some confidence, families with kids who can manage 10+ miles (or ride it in stages), and anyone wanting a scenic local endurance spin without big hills.
  

Surface & bike choice

• Surface mix: Compacted gravel, tarmac multi‑use paths, park trails, and short quiet‑lane links. There’s a stretch to Wakefield city centre too.
  
• Recommended bikes: Hybrid, gravel, or MTB. Road bikes with wider tyres (32 mm+) can be fine in the dry; after rain, a hybrid/MTB is happier. E-Bikes would be recommended if you want to complete it quickly.
  

Family facilities & pit‑stops

• Pugneys Country Park: Big car park, café, toilets, lakeside loop for bonus laps.
  
• Newmillerdam Country Park: Café, toilets, woodland trails, ducks to feed, great play‑stop.
  
• Anglers Country Park: Café, toilets, nature trails, sculptures; ideal halfway lunch/play.
  
• Nostell Priory (NT): Grounds, café, toilets; bikes on the estate tracks (check opening hours).
  
• Heath Common: Open green, pubs nearby.
  

Safety & navigation

• Signage: The Wakefield District Cycle Forum have done a fantastic job of piecing this together with signs and stickers on posts throughout the route. It’s easy to follow, making the entire journey a breeze. Special thanks to them!
  
• Road links: Short connectors on country lanes. There’s also a section into Wakefield which, although it is technically a bike lane, is just painted so plenty of parked cars.
  
• Gates & pinch‑points: Occasional barriers which can be annoying for getting the bike through. 

Parking & access

• Best all‑rounder: Pugneys Country Park (paid parking, reliable facilities).
  
• Other options: Newmillerdam, Anglers and Nostell car parks; on‑street options near Heath/Common Lane, depending on your chosen start.
  
• If you live in or around Wakefield, you should be able to join at a point close to your home. We joined at Pugneys as it’s close to where we live.
  

When to ride

• Year‑round, but it shines spring–autumn. After heavy rain, a few bridleway sections can be puddly, nothing dramatic, just plan the best time to go accordingly.
  

Route breakdown (anticlockwise from Pugneys)

You can ride this loop in either direction and start anywhere. The outline below follows a popular anticlockwise flow.

1. Pugneys → Newmillerdam
   Easy lakeside roll‑out from Pugneys before linking through woodland paths and cycleways towards Newmillerdam. Mostly traffic‑free with family‑friendly gradients.
   
2. Newmillerdam → Anglers Country Park
   A classic Wakefield link via bridleways and the Barnsley Canal corridor. Broad, mostly flat paths make it relaxing; lots of nature to spot. Anglers is a perfect early lunch/play stop.
   
3. Anglers → Nostell Priory
   Quiet‑lane connectors and permissive paths bring you towards the Nostell estate. Expect short, gentle undulations. Facilities here are solid (café, toilets). If riding with younger children, this is a natural split point before finishing the loop another day.
   
4. Nostell → Heath Common
   Green corridors and cycle paths head back towards Heath. This stretch feels rural with open views and calm lanes. Heath’s green is a nice breather with pubs nearby for a soft drink stop.
   
5. Heath → Pugneys (finish)
   Final glide back to the lake, mostly on established cycleways and park paths.

This is obviously a quick overview of things. There’s more detail required but the WOW signs should glide you through the route. The Wakefield District Cycle forum have a nice map you can download here but the beauty of the route is to let the signs guide you.

Suitability for children

• Younger riders (under ~8–9): Consider riding it as two shorter days (e.g., Pugneys ⇄ Anglers one day; Anglers ⇄ Pugneys the next) or split it down into shorter routes in general. You can view some of the reviews on our website for more details.
  
• Confident juniors: Many 9–12s can manage the loop with generous stops. You could make an entire day of it.
  

What we loved

To be honest, it was great to ride side by side with a mate and take our time. There’s something beautiful about riding a bike away from traffic and having a good chat. This is what the WOW Cycle route does best. 

Having also lived in Wakefield for the past 10 years, it was amazing to ride the entire route, threading together so many of our favourite Wakefield green spaces in one continuous ride.

The fact that most of it is long, quiet, traffic‑free stretches where we could chat and properly switch off made it even more appealing.

The occasional hello to Dog Walkers, ramblers and fellow riders makes it fantastic for your mental health too. Just having that ‘hello’ can make a huge difference.

Things to know

• Expect a handful of short lane sections; they’re quiet, but still roads. There’s also a section into Wakefield via Barnsley Road
• After wet weather, some bridleway bits develop puddles, so make sure you are prepared or plan your day carefully.
• The signs are brilliant, but sometimes can be vandalised (WTF?). Use the map or an app for further guidance.
  

FAQs

Is the WoW route fully traffic‑free?

Not fully. It’s mostly traffic‑free, linked by short, quiet‑lane sections and a short spell into Wakefield.

How long does it take?

Most adults: 2–3.5 hours moving time. Families should allow half a day with stops or complete it over a couple of days.

Where should families start?

Pugneys is the easiest all‑rounder for facilities and stress‑free parking, but if you are going from your home on a bike, you can start wherever is convenient.

Best direction?

Either works. Clockwise from Pugneys gives early cafés at Newmillerdam and Anglers.

Can I do it on a road bike?

 In dry conditions with 32 mm+ tyres, yes. Otherwise, go hybrid/gravel/MTB.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely. The Wonders of Wakefield is one of the easiest ways to see how much green space we’ve got on our doorstep, stitched together mostly off‑road. As a family day out, it’s an inexpensive way of taking in a number of the council’s green spaces, and as an adult loop, it’s a chilled endurance ride with plenty of café options.

Final thoughts

This was my first time doing the full loop in one hit after years of riding the pieces separately, and I am really pleased Chris nudged me to do it. If you’re new to Wakefield cycling or fancy a relaxed, scenic circuit with proper stop‑offs, the WoW should be near the top of your list.

Cycle Route Rating

• Scenery: ★★★★☆
  
• Family‑friendliness: ★★★★☆
  
• Surface quality: ★★★☆☆
  
• Navigation ease: ★★★★☆
  

Overall:

Last Updated on October 3, 2025 by Ryan