Roundhay Park
🏟 Playground & park · Roundhay, Leeds
Roundhay Park
Leeds' most famous park: over 700 acres of lakes, woodland and gardens, with a revamped lakeside children's playground.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Park open daily, 24 hours · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Mansion Lane, off Princes Avenue, Roundhay, LS8 2HH
Plus Code: 9C5WRGR5+M2
About Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, covering more than 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens on the north-east edge of Leeds. The estate's origins stretch back to lands granted after the Norman Conquest; the present park, with its Mansion House and ornamental lakes, was laid out in the 19th century and bought by Leeds Corporation in 1871, opening to the public the following year. Today it is managed by Leeds City Council and draws close to a million visitors a year. For families, the main draw is the children's playground near the Lakeside Cafe, which was completely rebuilt after the Friends of Roundhay Park raised around 159,000 pounds to replace worn-out equipment at the under-sevens play area; there is also play provision in the Upper Park. Around the playground you will find the vast Waterloo Lake and smaller Upper Lake, the Lakeside Cafe, the Mansion House, formal gardens and miles of woodland and lakeside paths. The adjacent Tropical World is a separate paid attraction. It is a spacious, varied green space with plenty of room for a full family day out.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Waterloo Lake and Upper Lake
- Lakeside Cafe
- Mansion House
- Formal gardens
- Woodland and parkland walks
- Tropical World (separate attraction)
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: Several car parks around the park, including at Mansion Lane and the Lakeside
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Dogs: Dogs are permitted in the park
🧒 Ages & play
- Refurbished under-sevens playground near the Lakeside Cafe (reopened after a Friends of Roundhay Park fundraising campaign)
- Upper Park play area
📍 Nearby places to play
- Moortown Park · approx 1.6 miles · Moortown
- Chapel Allerton Park · approx 1.9 miles · Chapel Allerton
- Potternewton Park · approx 2.0 miles · Chapeltown
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Roundhay Park free?
Yes. Roundhay Park is a free public park managed by Leeds City Council. The neighbouring Tropical World is a separate paid attraction.
What's in the playground?
There is a refurbished under-sevens playground near the Lakeside Cafe, rebuilt after a Friends of Roundhay Park fundraising campaign, plus play provision in the Upper Park.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
Yes. There are public toilets in the park and the Lakeside Cafe is next to the main children's playground.
Where is Roundhay Park?
It is at Mansion Lane, off Princes Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2HH, on the north-east side of the city.
Is there parking?
Yes. There are several car parks around the park, including at Mansion Lane and by the Lakeside near the playground.