Golden Acre Park and Eccup Whin Circular
West Yorkshire
Golden Acre Park is a 179 acre Leeds City Council park on the A660 north of Leeds where dogs must go on a lead around the wildfowl lake but can range more freely elsewhere, opened in 1932 as a private amusement park with a boating lake formed by damming Adel Beck. This 8.8km walk starts from the car park beside Breary Marsh, passes through the pedestrian tunnel into the park and around the lake, then heads out along the edge of Adel Dam nature reserve to the woodland and wetland of Eccup Whin. It follows the unmetalled Swan Lane past East Breary to Bramhope, crosses the A660, and returns by Fish Pond Plantation and Marsh Beck to the marsh. With only about 66 metres of climbing it is practically level, on good tracks, woodland paths and footbridges over wet ground, with a few short stretches of quiet road.
This dog friendly walk suits almost any dog, and Golden Acre is one of the most popular dog walking spots in Leeds. Dogs must be on a lead in a couple of signposted areas, including around the wildfowl lake, but there is room to let a dog with good recall stretch its legs in the woods and on the tracks beyond the park. Keep dogs on a lead crossing the A660. The cafe does not allow dogs inside, but they are welcome on the decking, where water bowls are put out, and there are toilets beside the cafe.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Woodland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Golden Acre Park Café (dogs on the outdoor decking only, water bowls), public toilets beside the cafe.
- Parking
- Golden Acre Park car park on Otley Road (A660), Leeds City Council, pay and display; blue badge holders free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Golden Acre Park and Eccup Whin Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Golden Acre Park and Eccup Whin Circular dog friendly?
Yes, Golden Acre Park is one of the most popular dog walking spots in Leeds and earns a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 8.8km circular route takes in Breary Marsh, Adel Dam nature reserve, and the woodland of Eccup Whin, and suits almost any dog. After your walk, the park café welcomes dogs on the outdoor decking, where water bowls are provided.
Can dogs be off lead at Golden Acre Park and Eccup Whin Circular?
There are a couple of signposted areas where dogs must stay on the lead, including around the wildfowl lake and when crossing the A660. Beyond the park itself, there is good space for dogs with reliable recall to roam more freely in the woods and along the tracks through Eccup Whin. The route is largely on good tracks and woodland paths, making it a comfortable outing for most dogs.
What should I know before visiting Golden Acre Park and Eccup Whin Circular with my dog?
The car park is on Otley Road (A660) and is pay and display, though blue badge holders park free. The route is practically level with only around 66 metres of climbing, and the paths are generally good, with footbridges over the wetter ground. The café does not allow dogs inside, but they are welcome on the decking where water bowls are put out, and there are public toilets nearby.
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