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.

Ahh, Hyde Park. I thought I'd update my review, since it's been eons since I last show it some…read morelove. I've always been confused that everyone calls it Hyde Park, but it's actually Woodhouse Moor. What's up with that? I'll have to do some research and find out. I do love this park, even though there are down sides. The positives include amazingly huge trees, which often house my favourite birds - crows - who you'll find pecking about the place doing their thing. It's lovely to walk through, summer or winter, with these behemoths towering over the paths. The amount of green space makes this city feel much less of a city, and even on a summer's day when filled with students, you can find a spot to enjoy the green. There's also a WWII bunker, but, thankfully, it is closed off. I imagine it'd be terrifyingly claustrophobic in there. They're pretty strict about barbecues, which is probably a good thing, as people have a tendency to be lazy at the best of times - even on Unity day when it's encouraged to use the many bins, litter is just scattered around. And as mentioned previously, Unity day is one of the awesome yearly reasons to come out to the park. This year I had a delicious lunch from Sukhothai, and listened to some fabulous local live music. Also, some heavy boom music, which is all part of the experience. Last night a crew of us went to celebrate bonfire night here again, and whilst it's probably worth trekking to Roundhay more, I'm actually really fond of the underdog. I mean, you really have to work at being able to see anything. They place the fireworks so that they go off just at where the tree tops are, for most of the audience, and the fire safety brigade means you're actually about a mile from the blaze. (Which, naturally, means there's little heat or light to be seen.) But I love the naff-ness of it. And this year there were at least 10 really loud huge fireworks to finish, so I was pleased. 15 minutes of boom, and about 40 of making sure you don't lose anyone in the crowd. All part of the funs! The mulled wine I made also helped. But, jokes aside, I do love this place. And it could be the fond memories and being a country girl that does it, but I'll recommend a wander through Hyde Park to anyone. Bring a guitar, bring friends, bring your skates. Or just your imagination!

Woodhouse Moor consists of three parts…read more Formal Park: The main park area (which is usually referred to as Hyde Park) a 26 hectares square of green including a kids area, skate park, tennis court, basket ball court and allotments. This part of the Moor is predominantly used by students during the summer season, playing frisbee, eating picnics, drinking and generally making a mess. I don't mean to sound like a grouch, I for one absolutely love getting merry on the park and basking in the sun but I always clean up after myself. Unfortunately many people do not. During early August the park area also plays host to Unity Day, a fantastic celebration of culture and community with the aim of bringing people together. This is not to be missed. Monument (upper): A small piece of green home to a statue of Henry Rowland Marsden. It is adjacent to a strip of takeaways and plays host to nothing more than the occasional magpie or seagull. Somewhere I have sat and scoffed a pizza out of pure convenience, but otherwise would not have given a second thought. However, there are some little lonely looking steps that once were used for mounting horses, kind of interesting! Ish? Cinder (lower): Cinder is on the other side of the road from Monument and is a semi grassy, mainly gravelly spot on which the fair always parks its bum. The fair is like many other, and is more scary than fun due to it's gobby teenagers and rowdier of the locals. I have seen the odd jumble sale on here though which is always worth a visit.

When I first moved from the countryside to the city a couple of months back, I was really worried…read moreabout there being not enough trees or birds or, well, green things. Discovering Woodhouse Ridge on my doorstep was an absolute treat. It's a patch of wood which runs from Headingley, down between Meanwood Road and Woodhouse with lots of little paths weaving in and out. It doesn't have many amenities but its charm is its ruggedness. It's perfect if you just want to feel like you've ducked out of the bustling city for a while to pop your headphones in and go for a wander. The paths can get a little bit muddy but it's worth exploring. The views over the east of Leeds are quite impressive. Right now (late May/June), there are bluebells and wild garlic all over and it smells amazing. It's not very busy - a few dog walkers, cyclists and the odd jogger, but it's generally a very peaceful place. Last week, some friends & I took a picnic blanket and found a clearing in the Ridge and had a lovely time just chatting and munching snacks and watching the birds etc. There's a good amount of shade, as you'd imagine, so good for getting a bit of sun but not too much sun. Near the entrance by Rollette cafe on Meanwood Road, there are some allotments and, further up, there's the foundations of where an old bandstand used to be in the 1800s (I think). There is talk of renewing the bandstand and regenerating the Ridge a bit more, so fingers crossed this little natural gem is going to get even better.

One of the delights of living in this fantastic city is that one is never more than a stone's throw…read morefrom some incredible spots of natural beauty. Where other cities have decimated the nearby countryside, for some concrete space, we still have a wealth of green about us. Within a few minutes walk from Headingley, Meanwood and Woodhouse stands Woodhouse Ridge. Stood atop you can look right over Meanwood, and exploring left or right leads to dappled spots of forest. Not more than 10 minutes walk from the ridge I delved into the woods with a friend to watch a spoken word performance, complete with shadow puppetry and acappella song. It's the perfect place to tell tales. It's also perfect for an adventure with your camera. The green is often occupied by walkers, students picnicking and supping a few beers, dog walkers, merry wanderers, and of course all the wildlife you would expect. It's one of the remaining spots that were kept aside for leisure in Leeds, and dates back to the 1800s. Apparently there's an action group for the area, which you can join, to volunteer for days of conservation and maintenance. Since I've enjoyed it so much since living in Leeds, I may just do that.

Lovely walk peaceful and good place to walk dogs.read more

The Hollies is an old Oak woodland in Meanwood Park and is a gem in the city of Leeds. I heard a…read morerumour, and like to fully believe, that Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, was inspired by this forest, the ancient and gnarled trees that, if you close your eyes, could imagine coming alive. A river runs through it creating a deafening waterfall at one point. It is so magical, that when visiting it is hard to believe you are still in Leeds. There are rhododendron bushes that flower under the trees in bursts of colour, bluebells and snow drops further down still. My favorite feature is a large rock in the shape of a whale that looks like it has jumped out of the tiny stream it sits next to. This is a great place to go for an amble with the kids, your dog or friends,

Hidden, secluded, and secret…read more.. Almost. Filled with curiosity, I sniffed it out. Imagine being transported into the 'fairy' pictures that famously captivated people's minds for years. It's the sort of spot you might go pixie hunting, amongst foreign blooms, lush colours, and dappled light. It's a most magical, gorgeous place. Stop by, bring a pen and paper, and let the words spill out.

Oh what a night last night was. Waking up tied to a shopping trolley kind of suggests that. It was…read morereturned to its rightful owner though, so fear not. Now I need something to eradicate my stonking hangover. Time for a gentle stroll and it's off to Burley Park. It's not far to get to, it'll only take you a matter of minutes in the old mobile or you can bus it. Nothing ground breaking but a cool place to unwind and a chance to recharge those flagging batteries. You've also got plenty on hand to keep you busy. What about a children's play area, tennis courts, bowling greens, bandstand, open grass and wooded areas, footpaths and formal bedding areas for starters. Now being a frustrated Venus Williams (I know it's implausible on a lot of levels) I'm always up for a spot of tennis. Maybe today excluded but it's nice to know there are more places than I thought that offer that up. Not bad I say and I'm almost feeling human again. Winner!

As parks go Burley Park is rather pleasant, with a nice slope, a rose garden (when they are in…read morebloom!) and several decent-sized trees! It also has a range of leisure facilities: a large children's play area, tennis courts and a large bowling green. There is also a rather unassuming football area (I wouldn't quite call it a pitch) with a pair of worn-out looking goal posts. Burley Park is a good choice for residents of Hyde Park and the surrounding area who prefer to spend a sunny day in a quieter spot than the mini festival that is Hyde Park (Woodhouse Moor) when the sun comes out! There are two access points from Cardigan Road, one on Park View road, two on Cardigan Lane and one on Burley Road. All entrances are accessible by wheelchair, except if using the bridge between cardigan road and Park View Road where there is a high curb. The park's main users appear to be dog walkers, mums with kids, and older men using the bowling green...although when spring finally arrives I definitely anticipate a few picnics and barbeques!

Sometimes we all need to get a nice big helping of fresh air to blast away those work blues or for…read moreme likely hangover. Luckily we're spoilt for choice here. One such place I love to go is Potternewton Park. It's out of the city off Harehills Lane and is well maintained. You've got formal gardens and picnic areas for a start. The active among you can also feel the deep burn with a game of tennis. Lesser assertion is needed for a cheeky spot of bowls and there is often some football going on. What it's also good for is bringing the community together with some annual events. The West Indian Carnival and Reggae Concert is a must. It's a vibrant mix of costumes, music and food and is great when the sun basks down and lights up a beautiful summer's day. If you feel like some greenery and open space then look no further.

Potternewton Park is a great green space in the Chapel Allerton/Harehills area. The surrounding…read morestreets are full of beautiful old style terraced houses and so it's a lovely addition to the area for the local children and teens to go for a wander. I've driven past it so many times on the way to work it seemed only right to stop by and check it out. At the top end there are some really lovely shrubbery arrangements, which I realise isn't the thing most people are interested in, but I quite enjoyed sitting and eating a sandwich with all the greenery around me. Further down there is a play area for the younger kids, which certainly looks more exciting than the likes of parks from when I was a kid, and there are basket ball courts and a skate area for the older ones too. As an adult there is simply a large expanse of beautiful green parkland for an afternoon stroll/sunny picnic. All in all it's a lovely place to visit if the busy roads and city life is stressing you out.

When I'm stressed, unimpressed, or my head's in need of rest, Beckett Park is my playground. I'm so…read morefortunate in that I'm a stone's throw away from it and can go for a walk/cross march whenever I need to clear my head. Considering that Beckett Park is literally slap-bang next to Leeds uni Headingley campus, it's hardly ever packed with people. I find it odd if I see more than 3 joggers whenever I go for an amble. I take the route via Churchwood Avenue into a thick arch of towering trees, the sky above stained with lush green leaves. it's easy to see why this was the childhood haven of many Leeds dwellers. I can just see the myriad games of Robin Hood / Manhunt / Hide and seek that must've gone down here. Biking through this strip of woodland must be very liberating! This park is beautiful at any time of the year, so if you're looking for a scenic setting to your morning jog you could do alot worse!

I realise my review may be somewhat tainted by the arrival of the snows but, when stripped of such…read moreexciting weather, I think Beckett's Park will still offer up plenty of fun and games. Literally ten minutes from Headingley you can walk straight up St. Anne's Road and you will have arrived at Beckett's Park. To the left there is the option to go for a mini woodland walk, in the midst of the suburban Headingley area, or you can carry on and in front of you to the park area itself. It might not be the largest space but it's big enough for a decent game of rounders/football and is surrounded by picturesque trees and greenery. Lots of fun! There's also a cute little bench, perfect for a sandwich and a light read. In terms of snow related fun I have been snow boarding - using a wheel-less mountain board as a snow board - down the hills of Beckett's Park! It is like, totally awesome. Be warned though, snowboard at your own risk - injuries are very possible - I have come away with a sprained posterior. You may laugh now but it's not great walking around with a limp and having to explain exactly where it hurts...

The older I get the less cool I seem to be able to exude to my friends' kids. This amuses me and…read moreconcerns me in equal measures. I've never really been that fond of kids, but as they get older they grow out of being kids and more into being young adults and then I realise I do have more of a common ground with these young folk and no idea how to reach it. One of my friends suggested I grabbed a couple of the stroppy teens, hauled their butts and their skateboards into the back of the car and took a drive out to Hyde Park Skate Park. It's summat to do for a nice afternoon, and it's not the usual museums I feel obliged to force down their throats, nor the consuming crap that their mothers scorn me for. This seemed like a happy compromise, under the one condition that they promised not to break any of their bones. Deal. Great place for them to roam free, with enough leash room for me to pick a green spot to crack open a book and peer over the edges whilst they practised their moves, and there seems to be a good solid group of people practising their skills and just generally showing off to people seated around the periphery. If the kidlets slash young adults are feeling sociable they'll mutter and mumble over at each other and trade some skills and secrets all trouble free, all in the name of improving their own techniques. There's a steady mix of skills knocking around, from the novices just finding their feet or wheels, to the more confident show boaters ready to perform all what they've got. Either way, if you've got a book to read, you won't get much read.

A Mecca for local kids and students alike, and apparently the coolest place to hang out if you're…read moretoo young to get served in the pub, the Hyde Park Skate Park is also quite good for skating too. It's concrete with metal coping, and has a decent collection of ramps, banks and ledges to keep even the most adventurous extreme sportsmen and women entertained. There's a fairly high concentration of BMXs, and the usual animosity between them and the skaters, but other than that it's a fairly accepting park that, thanks to its location in the heart of studentville, doesn't really pay much attention to new faces.