Meanwood Valley Trail facts for kids
The Meanwood Valley Trail is a special walking path in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It's about 7 miles (11 kilometers) long. The trail starts at a statue of Henry Rowland Marsden (who was a mayor of Leeds a long time ago) near the University of Leeds. It then winds its way through different areas like Headingley, Meanwood, and Adel.
The trail finishes at Breary Marsh in Golden Acre Park. Here, it connects with another long path called the Leeds Country Way. For most of its journey, the Meanwood Valley Trail is also the official link from Leeds to the famous Dales Way walking route. As you walk, you'll see signs that tell you about the cool plants and animals that live there.
Each year, usually in March or April, a fun running race takes place on parts of the trail. Over 300 people join this race, which is organized by a local running club called the Valley Striders.
Contents
Exploring the Meanwood Valley Trail
The Meanwood Valley Trail has special markers to guide you, so you can start walking from any point. This guide describes the trail going North, starting from the Marsden Statue.
Part 1: From Woodhouse Moor to Meanwood Beck
Starting Your Adventure
Your journey begins near the statue of Henry Rowland Marsden on Woodhouse Moor. Look for a map sign and an arrow pointing you down Raglan Road. Follow this road, then turn right onto Rampart Road, and keep going straight up Delph Lane.
Walking Woodhouse Ridge
At the end of Delph Lane, turn left onto a footpath. You are now on Woodhouse Ridge. Stay on the top path, keeping a stone wall on your left. Soon, you'll reach a metal gate. Go down the steps and turn right. This path will lead you to Meanwood Beck, a small river. Turn left here, keeping the stream on your right, until you leave the Ridge and cross a main road called Grove Lane.
Into Meanwood Park
After crossing Grove Lane, the path continues behind some houses. You'll reach another road, Monkbridge Road. Cross it, turn right, and then take the first left onto Mill Pond Lane. Immediately turn left again onto a footpath. After crossing a bridge over Meanwood Beck, turn right for a short distance, then left. You'll follow the path around an old millpond, which used to serve a tannery but is now surrounded by homes. The path then turns sharply right through some garden plots. Just before reaching Hollin Drive, turn right to cross Meanwood Beck again. You'll pass an old cricket ground on your right, then turn left over a small bridge to enter the lovely picnic area of Meanwood Park.
Part 2: From Meanwood Park to the Outer Ring Road
Along Meanwood Beck
In Meanwood Park, stay on the right side of Meanwood Beck as you walk upstream (North). You'll see many small bridges you can cross if you want to explore the other side. You'll pass through an arch in a stone wall. After this, turn left over a wooden bridge, then right into the woods.
Discovering The Hollies
Keep following this path. You'll cross over a weir (a small dam in the river). If you want to take a short side trip, go left over some small bridges and walk uphill to find beautiful gardens known as The Hollies. Back on the main trail, you'll cross another bridge over a larger weir. Then, bear left, go through a gateway, and continue following the Beck until the path reaches Parkside Road.
Part 3: From the Ring Road to Stairfoot Lane
Under the Ring Road
Turn left and cross Parkside Road. Walk almost to the big Ring Road. You'll find a footpath on your right that leads to a tunnel under the Ring Road. After coming out of the tunnel, turn right up some steps. Follow the path with the Beck on your right as you enter Scotland Woods. Turn right to cross the Beck over the stone remains of an old mill's dam.
Seven Arches Aqueduct and Adel Woods
Once you've crossed the Beck, turn right and walk uphill for about 100 meters to a wide track. Turn left here and follow the higher path through the woods. You'll pass under the impressive Seven Arches Aqueduct, which was built in 1840 but is no longer used. Continue through Adel Woods, keeping to the higher path with the Beck (now called Adel Beck) on your left.
The Slabbering Baby and Adel Crag
Look out for a cool carved water spout on your right called the "Slabbering Baby." It's quite old, probably from the mid-1800s. Just after this, cross another small stream and go up a slope. You'll see a small pond on your left. Immediately past the pond, follow a marked path that bears to the right. This path leads to a car park off Stairfoot Lane. Keep an eye out for arrows painted on trees or rocks to show you the way! If you want another short detour, from the car park, follow the main path about 100 meters into the woods, then take a path on the left for another 100 meters to find large stones known as Adel Crag.
Part 4: From Stairfoot Lane to Golden Acre Park
Heading Towards King Lane
Cross Stairfoot Lane and join a bridleway (a path for walkers and horses) opposite the car park. Continue along the clear path as it goes uphill. You'll reach a waymarker post that shows bridleway directions. Go through the gap where an old gate used to be and enter a grassy field. Follow the edge of the field on your right until you reach a wide track lined with trees and bushes. You'll see Headingley Golf Course on your left. This track leads to King Lane at Golf Farm. Cross the road and turn left, following King Lane. Be careful, as this road can be busy. Instead of walking on the main road, take the clear path that runs along the side of the road.
Reaching Golden Acre Park
At a junction where five roads meet, continue straight ahead. You'll have a narrow strip of woodland briefly on your right. Keep following the path along the side of King Lane. At the next junction, you'll see a gate across the road that leads into Golden Acre Park. Follow the path inside the park to reach the lake. You can walk either left or right around the lake to find an underpass. This underpass goes under Otley Road.
Once you're through the underpass, you'll be on raised paths through the woods over Breary Marsh. This is the end of the Meanwood Valley Trail! The Golden Acre car park is right nearby, and you can catch a bus from Otley Road to Leeds, Otley, Ilkley, or Skipton. There are also toilets and a cafe near the main lake if you need a break.
