55) Anglers Country Park, Haw Park Lane, Wintersett, Wakefield, WF4 2EB.

​

Distance:

2:98 miles tho you can add more miles if you explore further into the woods and surrounding areas.

​

Terrain:

Initially on hard standing paths, the woods section is on dirt path, around the lake is on wide track. Some small sections of wooden boardwalk. 

The whole site is fairly flat with only minor slopes. I went after a very cold and wet period so the paths were quite mucky, thankfully there were a few good puddles in the carpark that served as a wheel wash !

​

Facilities on site:

An excellent cafe (take out only due to covid) and excellent toilets. Also pleasing to find a full "changing room" facility with overhead hoist and plinth.

​

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-health-and-leisure/parks-and-countryside/parks/anglers-country-park

​

Ample hard standing and level carpark with many disabled bays. No charge for Blue Badge holders.

​

Dogs are permitted everywhere on the country park, only assistance and guide dogs (in jackets) may enter the cafe area.

​

Bird hides:

There are several bird hides - all have wheelchair access and viewing areas. At the time off my visit the main hide -disabled viewing windows had been secured shut with screws? I took this up with the warden who apologised and informed me that these would be removed straight away.  One hide has a small two inch step. All entrances to the hides are wide enough for any type of mobility equipment.

​

Route:

From the carpark - head into the country park via the footpath. The building on your right is the cafe, visitor centre and toilets. There is a children's outdoor play area and this has a wheelchair obstacle course too! There is a nice woodland walk adjacent to the children's play area - you access the wooded section over a wooden walkway. This path was very boggy so I turned around mid way around, one to try on a dryer day.

From the visitor centre head towards the lake, do visit the bird hide viewing screen that is found on the left of the path. Excellent place for viewing all types of small birds. Hand around here as there are little flocks of Long tailed tits, Yellowhammer, Robin, Finch, Warblers, Blackbirds, so many species if your lucky.

​

Out of the hide and head left and left again, Here you pick up the path to the Pol Hide and Main Hide.

Both overlook excellent viewing areas. The Main hide overlooks a section of the lake with rocky island, lots of different fowl, ducks , geese and waders.

​

I then do a clockwise trip around the lake. Following the lakeside path.

​

There are also many paths off the main - some may be suitable for wheelchairs but I have not tested many of these.

​

What might you see?

All there usual fowl, songbirds, Geese, Commorants, waders, gulls, ducks, divers, swan, Heron, Lapwing etc.

Keep an eye on the bird activity - if they take to the air on mass have a look for a predator hunting.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​