Roundhay Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is a wonderful place for a family day out, and the Specialist Gardens and Canal Gardens are some of its most magical spots to explore. Full of colourful flowers, interesting plants, and peaceful ponds, there’s something to catch everyone’s eye — whether you’re a keen gardener or your little ones just love being outdoors. With plenty of open space to wander, relax, and discover, these gardens are perfect for a fun and easy-going adventure together.
Tickets and Opening Times:
The gardens are free to enter. They are open from 9am till 3:30pm every day.
Parking/ Travelling:
There are lots of parking spaces around The Specialist Gardens, including spots opposite The Roundhay Fox. The postcode of this pub is LS8 2EP. Disabled parking is available on Princess Avenue.
Bus services 2 and 12 can be caught right outside the entrance.
Prams and accessibility:
Nearly every path can be accessed with wheelchairs and prams as they are level surfaces. There is one small bridge accessed by stairs only but this can be passed by an alternative flat route.
Things to do at The Specialist Gardens
1. Visit the 4 medal winning Chelsea Flower Show gardens
Including gardens inspired by Monet and inspired by the Alhambra, Spain, these gardens are truly beautiful and can entertain kids because there are so many things to spot. See if your little ones can find the canal lock, the sensory garden and any unusual wildlife. My personal favourite thing to spot is the water wheel in the Hesco Garden.
2. Picnic
There are plenty of green spaces to choose from to set up your picnic blanket. Alternatively, find one of the many benches. If you choose to picnic in the Canal Gardens, there is a little tepee den where little ones will love sitting for their own picnic.
3. Play Table Tennis
Located just beyond the Monet Gardens, there is a table tennis table free for anyone to use. Just bring your own bats and ball and enjoy a match surrounded by the wonderful wildlife that the Specialist Gardens are home to.
Things to do with kids nearby
A free museum like no other, the Royal Armouries has tons of weapons and armour from throughout history on display. There are many activities for children to interact with and daily events such as live sword fighting. In the school holidays then even host international jousting competitions.
2. Temple Newsam Estate
A farm, historic house and extensive grounds, Temple Newsam Estate has something to offer everyone. Spring is an especially lovely time to visit as they have lots of baby animals.
3. Tropical World
Visit the desert, rainforest and mangroves at this zoo, an 18 minute drive from Temple Newsam. Here you can see reptiles, meerkats, crocodiles and other wonderful animals. A highlight for me at Tropical World is the butterfly house.
4. Leeds City Museum
Located in the heart of Leeds City Centre, this is another free museum. There are exhibitions on the history of Leeds as well as on Ancient Greece and Egypt. You can even find the mummified body of a pharaoh here!
5. Discovery Centre
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, this museum has free tours where you can explore their collection of over one million objects. If you and your children have a particular interest, such as meteorites, insects, historical fashion or anything really, the tour guides will tailor the tour and make sure you get to see the objects that will be of most interest to you, and to hear the stories about them.