Roundhay Park is one of Leeds’ premier outdoor spaces, and a treasure trove of natural beauty and unexpected secrets. On this walking tour around one of Europe’s largest parks, you’ll hear the intriguing stories and fascinating history beyond its sweeping vistas, which many of its thousands of annual visitors miss. This circular walk starts and ends at the Roundhay Park Main Car Park. Along the way, you’ll take in some of the park’s many sites, including the impressive Mansion with its Garden Room Café, the Roundhay Castle, and the picturesque Canal Gardens. Roundhay Park boasts lush, verdant landscapes and relaxing lakeside walks, and on this tour, I’ll guide you along its prettiest (and most interesting) paths. As you make your way around Waterloo Lake, I’ll dive into the park’s history and show you some of its more manicured areas, like the Specialist and Coronation Gardens. My name is Sarah and I grew up less than a mile away from Roundhay Park. The park has played a big part in my life, from school trips and park galas, to the lakeside walks and trips I take to the Lakeside Café nowadays. Because who doesn’t enjoy a ‘Cake and a Lake? On this circular tour of Roundhay Park, you’ll: • Find out about the visionary landscape designers and philanthropists who transformed what was once a private estate into the expansive park we see today • Discover the unlikely story of how Roundhay Park briefly served as an international airport (yes, really!) • Explore the quirky Roundhay Castle, a whimsical folly that’ll spark childlike wonder and imagination • Learn how Michael Jackson memorably celebrated his 30th birthday here, together with thousands of his singing fans • Hear about the bizarre antics of a whacky Victorian tightrope artist who wowed audiences in the park with his daring high-wire stunts • And much, much more! This walk will take approximately 75 minutes to complete, and there are plenty of opportunities along the way where you can enjoy a cup of tea or treat yourself to an ice cream. If you have time, there’s also Tropical World and some beautiful formal gardens to explore. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or just looking to spend a leisurely afternoon outdoors, this Roundhay Park tour has something for everyone. **Please note**: There are some moderately steep downward steps close to the beginning of the tour, and parts of the route follow some moderately steep hills on unsealed pathways and grass. My alternative tour, ‘Roundabout in Roundhay Park: a Step-Free Tour in Leeds’, takes a shorter route suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.