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National Trust Nostell Menagerie Garden walk, Yorkshire

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Nostell
© Holly Brega
Nostell
© Holly Brega
Nostell
© Holly Brega

Walk Details

This short walk explores the peace and tranquility of the lakeside paths in the Menagerie Gardens of the National Trust’s Nostell Estate in West Yorkshire.

This walk is particularly stunning in autumn when the landscape becomes coloured with flame reds and burnt oranges as the leaves begin to turn and fall.

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It’s a lovely little family-friendly route and the stories behind it are fascinating.

Look out for the distinctive acers in the Menagerie Garden, golden hazel and cut leaf beech trees along the pathways and carpets of conkers, acorns and pine cones in the woodland.

Views across the tree-lined lake from here on a sunny autumn afternoon make for fantastic photo opportunities. The cock fighting pit is now (thankfully) a pond and home to both smooth and great crested newts.

Beneath the large holm oak tree there are the remnants of a stone lion. The garden was once home to a large black eyed lioness, which was once reported as lost in 1882. This and other animals were kept in cages along the quarry wall.

trainNearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Wakefield, Leeds

Local Information

Read the Countryside Code before venturing out
Make sure to take a map and compass, and know how to use them before going into our National Parks #BeAdventureSmart

Tips for New Walkers: click here to download (PDF).

Remember to prepare properly before heading out on any type of walk or outdoor activity. Tell people where you are going and what time you are expected back. As Wainwright says "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing".