Exploring…The Meanwood Valley Trail, Leeds
The Meanwood Valley Trail is an area I’ve been meaning to see for quite a while. It’s around 7 miles one-way, stretching from Woodhouse Moor all the way up to Golden Acre Park, through a mixture of urban woodland, meadows, streams and more peaceful countryside. The Woodhouse area was a bit of a throwback for me having spent my Leeds university years in and around Headingley and Hyde Park.
As I wasn’t sure where some of the access points were for mid sections of the trail, I focused my walk on Woodhouse Ridge and Meanwood Park, both of which I knew had nearby parking. I also didn’t want to do the full 7 miles yesterday, so we had two stop-offs.
If you want to do the official route…
The trail begins (if you go from south to north) at the statue of Henry Rowland Marsden on Woodhouse Moor, close to the University of Leeds.
From there it goes through Woodhouse Ridge: a narrow strip of woodland with a steep hillside, footpaths, views over parts of the Meanwood Valley, patches of open glades, and some cute historic features like Victorian bandstands and old air-raid shelters.
Then the path passes Meanwood Beck, the old tannery site (now residential), some allotments, and eventually opens into Meanwood Park, which is a large green space including meadows, woodland, a stream, picnic areas, and playgrounds. My dogs had a grand old time here paddling in the water.
Beyond Meanwood Park, the trail continues through Scots Woods, under the Ring Road, past the Seven Arches Aqueduct, through more rural settings (Adel Woods, Adel Beck) and ends up at Breary Marsh in Golden Acre Park.
Our walk at Woodhouse Ridge & Meanwood Park
The lower end of Woodhouse Ridge feels like a sandwiched bit of greenery in studentville. The trees, the Beck and the steep hillsides give you a sense of being somewhere wild even though you’re not far from the city’s skyline. I have to say I felt a little closed in at points and as a solo walker this did keep me on my toes. There’s some very cool graffiti along the walk (the kind that looks impressive, rather than scruffy) and I had planned to walk back the route I came to grab more shots of it, but a bit of a worrying encounter with a dodgy looking bloke on a bike meant I actually walked back a different way back! Having said that, I did come across other walkers, most of whom said hello and stopped to fuss the dogs.
Meanwood Park is a more open and varied landscape. You’ve got playgrounds, places to sit, meadows, woodland, and the watercourse (Meanwood Beck) running through it. The industrial heritage is still visible in parts and it’s a great place to let the dogs explore. There’s plenty of free car parking and a little cafe for refreshments. The playground is very popular (heed the sign for the no through road here! Otherwise you’ll find yourself on a single track road with very little space to move or turn around).
Parking at Meanwood Park
The main car park is off Green Road (postcode LS6 4LE). There are disabled parking bays and the paths through the park are mostly okay for pushchairs / wheelchairs on the main routes, though woodland paths are more uneven.
Parking at Woodhouse Moor
If you want to start near the southern end of the trail, you can use Woodhouse Moor or nearby on-street parking (e.g. streets around Rampart Road). I parked on Melville Place and walked down one of the cut-throughs. I couldn’t say why but I did feel slightly uneasy here - keep to busy areas.
Refreshment Stops
The Three Cottages Café Bar in Meanwood Park is perfect for a rest, tea or cake, lunch etc.
Things to Consider
Many parts of the trail are very dog-friendly. There are lots of woodlands and meadows where dogs can roam off lead. That said, some bits (especially near roads, farm fields with livestock, or near playgrounds) mean keeping dogs on leads, so remember to check signs as you go.
The Beck (stream) is a huge plus for dogs, and both my two had a really good paddle and splash. I believe the water in here is safe for them to drink too.
According to the council website, during or after heavy rain streams can run stronger, and paths can become muddy/slippy, so as always wear decent footwear!
Because of its accessibility, the trail seems to attract all kinds: families, dog walkers, runners, people wanting some fresh air, students, people exploring. It’s relaxed but active. Meanwood itself feels pretty friendly. There’s a mix of heritage and community: old mill sites, historic paths, local volunteer groups looking after the woods, allotments, and green spaces. There also seems to be a large number of young professionals and their young children.
And finally…
If I’d done a longer section of the trail, I’d be thinking seriously about transport one way. Seven miles is quite a stretch for the dogs (and me!) 😊 As it stands, the best part of what we covered was definitely Meanwood Park which is a varied dog walk in itself.
