Rothwell Pastures

Rothwell Pastures is 13-hectares in size and is located south-east of the centre of Leeds. There are 4-main entry points to the green space.

This section of the Lower Aire Valley green corridor is owned by Leeds City Council, and maintained in partnership with the Trust.

Birdwatching

Rothwell Pastures has lots of naturally regenerating birch trees; the nectar producing blossom become nut and berry in the autumn. These kind of trees are hotspots for birds feeding. Sit still and watch birds like the bullfinch, goldfinch, blackbird, yellowhammer and dunnock feed off the trees.

Wild Meadow 

In the northern end of the Pastures there is a wild meadow area that draws beautiful butterflies like the meadow brown, speckled wood and even the striking cinnabar moth.

Pond Dipping

At the southern end of the Pastures several beck waterways meet one another. In this wet side you will come across a wetland pond habitat that has frogs, toads, mallards and moorhens. And there’s a chance you might catch a glimpse of the rare and shy water vole. Bring your net and container for some pond dipping!

Walking

Alongside the Oulton Beck you can walk around the Pastures in a horse shoe shape keeping Rothwell Castle on your right. If you fancy something a little longer along the green corridor, then you can take the Rothwell Pastures to Robin Hood Circular walking route.

This 2-mile walk takes in the old disused railway line towards Robin Hood. It covers easy terrain – gritted and leafy path – and is suitable for all the family, whether you’re travelling on foot or by wheels.

1,500 years ago the village of Rothwell existed as a medieval village during Saxon times and would probably have been based around the Saxon Hall and a wooden constructed church.

Around 1068 Rothwell Pastures was granted to Ilbert de Lacy by William the Conqueror. The De Lacy family made the vast woodland in the area the official ‘Rothwell Haigh’ hunting park. Rothwell Pastures was maintained as a hunting estate for the aristocracy until 1339.

Around this time the story goes that John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, hunted and killed the last wild boar left in the UK. You’ll notice that there is a boar head on the Rothwell Urban District Council badge.

In more recent decades the Rothwell Pasture area was farmed until the 1970s; all that remains of the old mansion is a pile of stones, known locally as Rothwell Castle.

The nearest toilet is at the Hare and Hounds just off Church Street.

There are bins on the marked footpaths of Rothwell Pastures.

There are two great food and drink options in a 5-minute walk from the entrance to Rothwell Pastures on Church Street. Checkout the Hare and Hounds for some quality pub grub or Salute at the White Swan  for some classy Italian.

For free parking use Church Street car park, LS26 0QL (Google Map Directions) – the footpath leads direct to the reserve.

Rothwell Pastures is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is accessed by uneven footpaths.