Roundhay Park to the north of Leeds is massive. It's much more than the shrubberies, flower beds, lakes and arena where outdoors rock concerts are held. There's a golf course too, and acres of woodland to be explored.

This walk takes in both of those. It's inspired by one which comes recommended by the Ramblers' Association in the revised edition of their book of Kiddiwalks. And it is indeed a terrific walk for children, with lots to see along the route and a fine treat in store at the end of it.

I parked up just before 9am in Prince's Avenue alongside Tropical World after a slow, rush-hour drive from Bradford. There's an official off-the-road car park a couple of hundred yards further south but at this time of morning there was plenty of space at the roadside near my starting and finishing point.

I crossed the road by the pedestrian crossing just above the Roundhay Fox pub and noted the sign at the end of Mansion Lane pointing the way to "Monet" and" Alhambra". These are in fact two formal gardens created in the park in 1999, one based on the French painter's garden, the other on the 13th century gardens in Alhambra, Spain.

I strolled down past the pub, enjoying the crisp, cold morning air, and turned right into the park gates. My route initially followed the northern perimeter of this formal section of the park, past a shelter and circular flower bed and with fine views down over the arena as the path headed towards the Mansion, the Georgian architectural highlight of the park, built in 1826 by London banker Thomas Nicholson who had bought the 77-acre estate in 1804.

The mansion wasn't looking at its best, currently fenced off from the world while outdoors structural work is being done on it, but there was enough of it on show to be able to see what a splendid place it is.

A bit of a dogleg past it found me heading across one of the many large grassed areas to arrive at the edge of Upper Lake. A good half of its surface was frozen but the fountain was working, maintaining a large area of open water on which gulls were bobbing.

I strolled round the edge of the lake and into the woodland beyond which was quite light at this time of year but is dense and dark in the summer. I passed a few dog walkers and a couple of joggers on my way to the exit gate into the road which runs past the park from the Leeds ring road.

After just a few yards of pavement walking I was heading back into a different type of park. Here was a golf club and a restaurant and a grassy path with a warning sign to watch out for flying balls. So watch I did, though there was little need as only one golfer was out and about.

The path soon headed through a gap in the wall away from the golf course and into the steep-sided, tree-filled Roundhay Gorge. What a fine place this is, with its stream snaking along the bottom among the tall trees and the path crossing it via a series of bridges a terrific place to linger, particularly if you're seeking shade in the height of summer.

This early-March morning, though, was not designed for lingering. It was more a striding-out, keeping-the circulation-going sort of morning as I headed out of the gorge and joined the path which runs alongside the vast Waterloo Lake, created in 1815.

In the wood to the left a loud drumming of a near-at-hand woodpecker was echoed by another further away. I stopped, stood and looked for long enough, but although the nearby sound was clearly very close I failed to see anything.

A little further along was a poignant memorial at the side of the path to a 15-year-old boy who had drowned the previous summer trying to rescue a friend who had got into trouble in the water. Inscribed on it was a warning to others who might be tempted to bathe in the lake.

It was food for thought as I continued on my way, admiring the views across the lake to the open grassland rising beyond. Soon the Pavilion Caf came into view round a bend in the lake. My route took me past it after crossing the dam at the end of the water and turning back towards the heart of the park.

The Pavilion is an attractive spot tucked away in the heel of the lake, with its timber terrace ready for use on warmer days. The park's public toilets are here, too but available only during caf opening hours.

From behind the caf I took the path to the right of the children's playground and arena to get the best view of the Mansion up the hill. It was this that I headed towards before retracing my steps to the park gate.

And now, if I'd had my grandson with me, would have come the outing's treat: crossing the road to the Canal Gardens and then heading into Tropical World to enjoy (yet again) the butterflies, birds, reptiles, fishes and exotic plants and, of course, the gift shop on the way out.

But being on my own on this occasion I climbed into the car and headed back for Bradford.

Step by Step

  1. From Tropical World, cross road, turn right to cross Mansion Lane and pass Roundhay Fox pub then go left through gates into park. Follow path past ornamental shelter and around circular flower garden and keep on in same line. At T-junction, go left towards Mansion, bearing right just before it then going left at another T-junction. Head now to left of another ornamental pavilion and walk down over grass to lakeside.
  2. Turn left and walk to head of lake, going right at fork. Cross bridge then fork left on broad track through wood to arrive at road.
  3. Go right on pavement briefly, then fork right into entrance of golf course, passing clubhouse and restaurant on right. Pass bollards then walk down golf course, initially with hedge on right then in same line to gap in facing wall.
  4. Through this, turn right on path above Roundhay Gorge, before long going left on to descending path to gorge bottom. Walk along this to lakeside and follow that to far end of lake. Cross dam and turn right to walk up to Pavilion Caf.
  5. With back to caf, follow path to right of playground and arena and walk up towards Mansion, retracing steps from there back to start.

Fact File

  • Set-off point: Tropical World, Prince's Avenue, Roundhay (alternatively main car park 200 years further south on opposite side of road).
  • Time for 3-mile stroll: 1 hours.
  • Map: OS Explorer 289 (though not really necessary).
  • Getting there: follow Leeds ring road A6120 to Roundhay turn-off on right. At T-junction at top of hill, turn left.
  • Parking: main car park (see above) or at roadside by Tropical World.
  • Refreshments: Pavilion Caf, caf adjacent to Tropical World, or in Roundhay Fox pub.
  • Public transport: No.12 bus from Corn Exchange, Leeds.
  • Toilets: at Pavilion Caf in park, or in Tropical World.