Magnificent old deer park - worth a walk at any time of the year.read more

After last years epidemic of baby births, sorry that sounded shallow. After the delight that was…read moremany of my friends and colleagues creating or expanding their families (better) the seasons are changing and as we move out of Winter into Spring and hopefully balmier climates, talk has turned on where's a nice and safe place to take the kids that isn't pure saccharine wacky zany child fun, and is parent and friends of parent friendly, eg, friends of parents won't balk at the idea of spending time with the kidlets because it's "just too much fun(!)" Anyhoo, an excellent compromise or combination, of green, flowers, pretty, play areas, etc is Pudsey Park. My idea to take friends kidlets here stemmed from the glowing reports this park has. Prior job projects included something on open spaces in West Yorkshire, and Pudsey Park comes in top of the list with regards to awards and such. It's been a Green Flag award winner every year since 2003, a worthy acheivement. The park is always clean, and I've never had any trouble, plus in half term and Summer holidays, there's plenty of families about, which is nice for the kids to play about, without being too loud and annoying for anyone enjoying the park sans child. So what's to do here? If you enter the park at the Car Park side, you'll immediately notice the playground, and there's a basketball court, and a skate park. Wandering through there's a bowling green, flower gardens, a glass house filled with exotic plants and a pets corner and aquarium and aviary. For replenishments there's also a little cafe too. At the moment the park is undergoing some regeneration, so there are some major developments going on, and the structure and layout of the park is changing. But when it's all done and dusted it should be even better than ever.

I'm feeling the love for all things slightly off centre. No I'm not having another Mel meltdown, I…read moremean I'm quite liking exploring the deeper depths of our beloved Leeds and it's Pudsey. Since I'm on a park ting (getting all street again, word up), I thought it'd be rude not to look this bad boy up. Now most of the parks have been reasonable to good it has to be said but this one is a perfectly formed package. It should shout about itself, it's a Greenflag winner and has been on many occasions. That's probably because it's very well maintained and has loads of stuff for the kids. Pet's corner is a nice touch and they keep on reconstructing areas left, right and centre so it's only going to get better. You've got exotic fish and birds and a tropical greenhouse. So get your best silly hat and cargo shorts out and go jungle trekking in your own back yard. There are plenty of flowers and tree lined walks. Plus, skate park, green bowls and a bandstand. Altogether with some air trumpet now.

Good bit of woodland for dog walking!read more

Hi Mike. You have proved that it is definitely possible to teach an old dog new tricks! Your advice…read morehas transformed our relationship with Angel, our 11-year-old rescued Bichon. We've had her for about a year but her possessiveness over food and resources was getting much worse and we were really worried that things were not going to work out with our current family situation. After one home visit from you, we have put in place all of the advice and training measures you suggested and everything is going really well. The daily growling incidents have reduced considerably now we know how to avoid and distract. Mealtimes in particular have improved - we are putting only small amounts of food in her bowl, then putting it down after she waits and then repeating the process until she has had the whole portion. One of the key things you helped us realise, is that just because she is 11, not to let her get away with things. For example, she used to have a set route she preferred for walks, with lots of little foibles about where to cross the road and stop at certain points. We used to indulge her routines and because she is an old dog, let her do what she wanted. But now, if we want to go left and she doesn't, I stand still until she stops pulling. Then I start to move towards the way I want. If she pulls again I stop, and I do not look at her. Eventually she starts to come towards me and once we are trotting off in the new direction she is fine. Thanks again for your advice. It has made Angel a much happier little lady.

From the owner: Dog & puppy training in Northwich & Cheshire…read more A well-behaved dog is a pleasure to own. At the club we show you how to interact with your dog and improve your dog handling skills. What's more, socialising with like-minded people and their dogs is a treat for you and your dog too.

It's time to venture north west out of the city and a quick stop off at Horsforth Hall Park…read more Yet another gem of a park with lots to do for all age groups and people. We're not talking massive here but it's a perfectly formed package, just the way I like it. On this occasion I'm not treated to one of the summer bands or cricket matches that take place in the summer months but that gives me the chance to have a wander around the other things available. They've got something they call a trim trail. Now I'm not sure if that means people over a certain weight will be shot if they use it but I'm guessing not. Throw in a Japanese garden too. A big plus for the community is the specially designed outdoor integrated play facility allowing disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight to play together. It's good stuff and pleasing to know there are things out there literally for all. The children have a good playground to go at and the skate park is a popular attraction amongst the older ones. Another classy park and worth a trip out

Count Merlot and I walk here about once a week as it is our nearest park with pathways...so this is…read moreusually when i have forgotten my wellies and hence don't want to walk in the woods! There is lots of parking with access for people in wheelchairs and/or pushchairs. there is a skate park; a japanese garden, bandstand, a few geocaches (although I think they are premium ones) a cricket ground, a garden boules green, an indian restaurant (that must be open in the evenings as i have never seen it open) and my favourite tree. a japanese maple. it is just glorious. This park is lovely in spring with the blossom trees and bluebells; in summer when all the kids are playing (nicely, i might add); autumn when leaves are changing and the need for a more solid than mud pathway is needed and winter when the snowmen spring up like something from a doctor who Christmas special. The only thing i don't like is that there are regular gypsy fairs on. I hate fairs with their unsafe rides and "games" that you can't win. their crazy dogs that bark and bite at everything.

Excellent walk dog friendly tea room. We walked around the lakes, good paths the hills were a…read morelittle steep but the dogs enjoyed it

I take my dogs walking here on a regular basis as it is just round the corner from where we live…read moreand it's a lovely little place. On the top of the hill is cusworth hall which I s magnificent old hall which is open to the public as a museum and a lovely cafe within the building. From the there is a steep hill leading down to 3 large ponds that's full of wildlife ducks and swans etc. the far third pond has a wooded area around it where the dogs can roam free a little and maybe a swim!! (We have two cocker spaniels and they absolutely love the water). Also at the top of the to the side of the hall is a nice kids play area as well as a picnic area. There is ample parking but be warned you do have to pay!

Try this company, your dog will be very happy you did :-)read more

Mediocre dog walking service. They are often walked in the Roundhay Park area through the gorge in…read moregroups of 6-8 dogs and the walkers never clean up after the dogs. The lady that runs the business also provides a home boarding service but I certainly cannot recommend that. I got in touch for two weeks board for my two working dogs. She put me in touch with a lady (very nice though she was) who had a small spaniel. We met at Temple Newsam and the dogs got on well but when I visited her home she was a bag of nerves and my dogs were only looking around. She clearly could not cope with two lively dogs. I have come across much better walking services

Just had a lovely half hour with our two spaniels. It was very hot but the dogs found shady places…read moreunder the trees. Lovely meadow, well fenced in. Easy parking. Will definitely book again.

Park Square is situated just a stone's throw south of Leeds Town Hall. It is surrounded on four…read moresides by grand Georgian terraces (mostly housing offices), and this, coupled with its immaculate lawns, makes the park resemble something out of Mary Poppins! It is ringed by black metal railings, making it quite a formal park, with very clear paths and benches placed at regular intervals. The grass is trimmed short, almost imploring you to stick to the path...but oh so inviting for bare feet in the sun! It is a lovely place to lie on the grass in the warmer half of the year, and this is the time that the flower beds come to life. Their simple patterns are designed by local school children, which is a pretty sweet idea! Recently, however, I found that one of the flowerbeds had been used as advertising space for a Leeds -based barristers...what!? Flowerbeds as advertising space!? That's just not on...and wrong on so many levels. People lounging in the park want picnics and peace and quiet - not barristers...go away! Leeds in Bloom...what are you thinking? We do not want every single flower we see to be inadvertently advertising something thank you very much!

Steeped in history, Park Square was originally built in 1788 to create a high class residential…read moreestate on the site of the medieval park of the manor of Leeds. Its residents comprised of merchants, clergy, lawyers and surgeons. This has remained accurate to a certain extent, due to the vast amount of solicitors and legal establishments surrounding the square. I consider the square to be similar to the ones interspersed in London's urban sprawl. It provides a wonderful oasis of calm, a site for escapism from the highly accelerated speed of the city. The area positively reeks of affluence, but is not overly exclusive, I do not feel like an imposter whilst there. There is a constant stream of young professionals clutching armfuls of legal files, bustling around the square. It did remind me of watching ants at work. The people watching opportunities in general are fantastic! Accompanied with a snack, it is a most relaxing venue. Although Winter has rendered the park fairly barren at the moment, smatterings of purple crocuses are beginning to brave the cold climate, signalling the optimism of Spring is fast approaching.