St Ives Estate
🏟 Playground & park · Harden, Bingley, Bradford
St Ives Estate
The largest park in Bradford District - a 217-hectare country park in Harden with a big adventure play area, Coppice Pond and a dog-friendly cafe.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open 24 hours a day, all year round · Free · No booking needed
About St Ives Estate
St Ives Estate is a sprawling country park at Harden, near Bingley, and at around 217 hectares is the largest park in the Bradford District. The land has been inhabited for at least 4,800 years and passed through many owners, including Rievaulx Abbey, before the Ferrand family bought it in 1635; Bradford Council acquired the grounds in 1974 and opened them to the public. Today the estate combines woodland, open moor and a wildflower meadow with miles of walking and cycling trails. Its adventure play area is a major draw for families, with high slides and climbing towers for bigger children, a zip wire, tyre swings and a sand play area, plus a recently expanded section using natural materials for younger children. Nearby Coppice Pond is a favourite spot for feeding the ducks. Facilities include The Ivy Kitchen cafe (dog-friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating), a visitor centre, public toilets, car parking, a walled garden and picnic areas. Independent operators offer archery and an 18-hole golf course, and Bingley Angling Club manages fishing on site. The estate is open 24 hours a day, all year round, and is free to enter, though car parking charges may apply.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Coppice Pond
- The Ivy Kitchen cafe
- visitor centre
- walled garden
- woodland walking routes
- cycling routes
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: True
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Dogs: Dog-friendly cafe (The Ivy Kitchen); estate welcomes dogs on wider trails
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: all ages
- slides
- climbing towers
- zip wire
- tyre swings
- sand play area
- natural-materials play for younger children
📍 Nearby places to play
- Myrtle Park · approx 1.4 miles · Bingley
- Prince of Wales Park · approx 1.6 miles · Bingley
- Victoria Park, Keighley · approx 2.0 miles · Keighley
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is St Ives Estate free to visit?
Yes, entry to the estate is free and it is open 24 hours a day, all year round, though car parking charges may apply.
What is in the play area?
The adventure play area has high slides, climbing towers, a zip wire, tyre swings and a sand play area, plus a natural-materials section for younger children.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The Ivy Kitchen cafe is on site, is dog-friendly, and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Are there toilets and parking?
Yes. There are public toilets, a visitor centre and car parking at the estate.
How big is St Ives Estate?
It covers around 217 hectares, making it the largest park in the Bradford District.