We always felt lucky in that although we live close to the busy city centre of Leeds there were green spaces close at hand to walk through.
Indeed Gary’s dad had always insisted that Leeds was one of if not the greenest cities in Europe. I am not sure how accurate that claim is but if you look at a map of Leeds it certainly does have lots of green spaces.
Just a 2 minutes walk from our house takes us to the wonderful wooded area of Woodhouse Ridge, known locally as simply The Ridge.
This forms a part of the Meanwood Valley Trail and joins up with The Dale’s Way long distance footpath. A variety of trails meander through this native woodland which follows the path of Meanwood Beck and offers enticing views of Meanwood Valley below and Sugar Hill opposite.
For over 30 years we have wandered through this tiny woodland. Usually heading for The Chemic Tavern in Woodhouse. A firm family tradition is to walk through the wood and then back through the ginnels every Christmas Day before our late afternoon Christmas dinner.
Sadly, and of course, The Chemic has been shut throughout the lockdown but Arkwrights …the fish and chip shop next door has remained open for take aways and we hope to stop off there one day for a treat!
Although The Ridge has always been a popular place as it is so accessible and offers a more pleasant walk to the University and the city centre than the main road, there has been a noticable increase in the numbers of people resorting there for their daily exercise. Although, having said that most of my photos are empty of folk!
The three main pathways are wide and firm enough for prams and pushchairs and so it is popular with families. Cyclists use this route too and we are often carefully overtaken both by fully lycra’d up and helmeted experts and also more casual….often aged plodders.
We feel so lucky to have this beautiful area so close to home and have become more aware of its special attractions each time we walk through.
Just off The Ridge by The City of Leeds high school a wonderful and very innovative permaculture garden has been developed on waste land by volunteers.
Sometimes on our circular walk home we call in at another hidden gem which is stowed away amongst the back streets of Hyde Park…Dagmar Wood.
This outdoor garden, a former sandstone quarry, has more recently been custom adapted for outdoor theatre and hosts Shakespearean plays at the height of midsummer .
It is a wonderful oasis of calm close to one of the busiest and most polluted roads in Britain.
Spring is always a very special time on The Ridge, especially once the bluebells are flowering.
And of course there is always the wildlife. Wild pigeons coo lovingly, blackbirds, robins and even little Jenny Wrens can be heard strutting their stuff. Ducks with their ducklings can be espied on the tumbling waters of the Beck.
And finally, there are always the horses…which are usually pleading for a carrot or two as we pass by.
Yes we are very lucky and my heart goes out to all those other townies and city dwellers not so fortunate. Especially those families trapped in high rise flats with no outdoor spaces close by.
How about you, where do you take your daily lockdown dose of exercise and escape?
Leeds and this area is very green, I was walking up opposite the ridge just the other day up in Sugarwell way.
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Yes, it is surprising how you can be so close to the city centre and yet feel as if you are miles out in the countryside .
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How lovely to have such beautiful places to visit in these strange times.
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Yes, we feel very lucky. Lockdown has meant that more people have become aware of the lovely green spaces right on their doorsteps.
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