Breathing space: green parks, forests and walks in or near UK cities | Travel

Richmond Park, London

Originally created as a deer park by Charles I in the 17th century, Richmond is the least central of the royal parks, but has quick and easy Tube and train links to central London. It is also the largest of the parks, covering 2,500 hectares and with a varied landscape of hills, meadows and old trees, still surrounded by original walls (albeit rebuilt in places). The capital’s largest scientifically interesting site, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including owls, peregrine falcons, and forests and herds of spruce deer that have been grazing the land since 1637. King Henry Mound – the Bronze Age tomb is a place of views that stretch all the way to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Fishing, golf, horse riding and bicycle rental are all available. Afternoon tea at Pembroke Lodge, an elegant Georgian mansion, is a great way to end your visit.
royalparks.org.uk

Jesmond Dene, Newcastle

A historic park in the heart of Newcastle’s suburbs, Dene is a steep valley that offers a peaceful promenade that feels like miles of the city’s bustling streets. The landscape of dams, rocky islands and a waterfall created by a prosperous businessman in the 1850s was carved from a river valley that was once full of watermills. Pets Corner – home to goats, sheep, peacocks and rabbits – is a big attraction for small children and has a play area designed for under 8s. Mill House Café offers a nice selection of light lunches and homemade cakes, or treat yourself to a quality lunch at Peace and Loaf (peaceandloaf.co.uk), a restaurant run by Dave Coulson, a finalist MasterChef: Professionals.
jesmonddene.org.uk

Seven Lochs Wetland Park, Glasgow

The new nature park, just a 15-minute drive from the city center, is home to a huge number of wetland birds, including the gray heron and the majestic song swans that fly from Iceland over the winter in the park. Kids will love the downloadable activity packs and Play Wild area, while the numerous walking trails offer the opportunity to see roe deer and rare butterflies alongside rich birds. The nearest refueling point is Glasgow Fort (glasgowfort.com) – A 10-minute shopping mall with popular restaurants.
sevenlochs.org

Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield

Ecclesall, the largest ancient semi-natural forest area in South Yorkshire, consists of three separate forests located in the south-west corner of Sheffield, near the border of the Peak District National Park. Covering nearly 140 acres, there are 15 miles of public suites and walking trails leading from the JG Graves Discovery Center (open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) – named after the benefactor who helped the Sheffield Corporation purchase the forests in 1827. An architecturally impressive wooden building with glazed a central atrium overlooking the wildlife pond and the bird feeding station. This is the place to start and stop. Maps and other information are available, as well as hot drinks and homemade cakes at Woodland Coffee Stop (open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Something more heartfelt, the rising sun (emberinns.co.uk) is a cozy inn nearby serving classic pub food.
friendsofecclesallwoods.org.uk

Manchester’s Green Path

The first project of its kind in the UK, the Green Trail is a walking route consisting of 14 routes that cycle around the city of Manchester and connect parks, woods and open spaces. There are 14 separate walking trails from which downloadable maps are available; Some are more urban, such as the Whitworth Park – Alexandra Park route via Moss Side, while others are further afield and have a really rustic feel, like Heaton Park – Queens Park. The routes are of varying lengths, and the shortest are about two miles, which means that no matter what level of walker you are in, you will find the right route for you.
gmwalking.co.uk

Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham

Just 10 miles southwest of the city, Lickey Hills is 524 acres in size and offers biking, walking, horseback riding and sculpture trails. There is also the best Lookout in the area – the 275 meter high Beacon Hill with 13 different counties visible on a clear day. The park is famous for its trees – there are 70 different species in the arboretum – while the large coniferous plantations offer walks under the pines and spruce, and the Geological Trail introduces the five rock species that rest under the hills. Lickey Hills Golf Course offers 18 challenging holes for adults and a “tri-golf” course for children, while the nature center borrows cycling equipment for family tournaments and there is free table tennis and an adventure playground nearby. After all the activities, Duck Pond Café (duckpondcafe.co.uk), located on a golf course, offers refreshing tea and cake.
birmingham.gov.uk

Water of Leith Walkway, Edinburgh

This 22-minute walk along the riverfront, from Leith in the north-east to south-west Balerno, runs right through the heart of Edinburgh, past the Gallery of Modern Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The beaches designated as the Urban Wildlife Site are home to more than 80 species of birds, including herons, geese and kingfishers, and feature ancient forests. The route can be cycled or walked, maps are available from the nature center in the middle. If the whole route is too long for one day, stop walking at night in Bonham (thebonham.com), located near the river in the city’s green West End.
waterofleith.org.uk

Golden Acre Park, Leeds

Six kilometers north of Leeds city center, Golden Acre Park began operations in the 1930s as a privately owned theme park with a swimming pool and miniature railway before it was closed due to the war. Now divided into several different areas, the park offers Europe’s largest heather garden, natural flower meadows and sandstone gardens, and a peaceful lake with storks, geese and swans. Although there is no play area, there are flat, family-friendly cycling routes, and the Golden Acre Café (open daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in winter) serves cakes and sandwiches to the public, and the outdoor terrace is popular. . If not, Lawnswood Arms (hungryhorse.co.uk) is a short drive away and offers plenty of pub food and a comfortable getaway.
discoverleeds.co.uk

Taff Trail, Cardiff

The Taff Trail is a 93 km long marked walking trail from Cardiff Beach to Brecon Town in Brecon Beacons National Park. The first eight-mile trip is a great way to explore the city through its green spaces and parks as you walk along Taffi Beach – once the city’s main shopping route and now a wildlife paradise. Herons and kingfishers are regular visitors, and jumping salmon are often seen in Blackweir, where the Blackweir Tavern (blackweirtavernpub.co.uk) is an ideal stopover for lunch or a refreshing beer. If you want to explore further afield, the Bay Trail is a great way to explore Cardiff Bay’s attractions and activities.
outdoorcardiff.com

Speke Hall Garden and Estate, Liverpool

Next to Liverpool Airport and a stone’s throw from the city center, the riverside farm has a history of over 400 years. The charming Tudor timber-framed mansion is surrounded by lush gardens and woods that stretch to the shores of Jersey. A great choice for families, with a child-friendly shrub labyrinth, two playgrounds and an activity trail, the space is also steeped in history – Stockton’s Wood was once used to hide planes from German spy planes in World War II. The home’s buildings house a café serving the foundation’s trademarks for homemade soups and cakes, as well as Speke’s Volumes – a used bookstore whose entire proceeds go to the foundation’s conservation work. At the end of the day, visit the village of Hale with its two cozy pubs (visithalevillage.co.uk).
nationaltrust.org.uk