Wortley Recreation Ground

New Wortley Recreation Ground is public park of 11 hectares that is located one mile to the west of Leeds city centre. The park is in view of some pretty prominent Leeds landmarks including Bridgewater Place; Leeds United’s Elland Road; and the New Wortley gas holder.

As the name suggests the green space is all about physical activity, sport and recreation. Here’s what you can enjoy when visiting New Wortley Recreation Ground:

Playground

There is swings, slides, and climbing frames for the babies, toddlers and children to enjoy.

Skatepark

Over in the skatepark the setup is a mixture of steel and wooden installations with mini-ramps and grinding rails on offer.

Rugby

Wortley Dragons ARLFC play their rugby league games at home on the  marked rugby pitch. There’s a real community feel to this rugby league club.

Football

The fields have two marked football pitches and permanent goal posts for both junior and adult football. Pitch bookings can be made following the email details above.

Dog Walking 

New Wortley Recreation Ground is an ideal place to walk your dog.  It is wide and visibly open. You won’t lose sight of your pooch when off the lead.

Wortley developed as an industrial extension from the centre of Leeds. It took influence from the industrial booms of Holbeck and Armley on its doorstep.

What’s left of Wortley’s industrial past is the railway junction – 3 lines actually pass really close to the recreation ground – and the two gasworks. The latter make the skyline really distinctive.

The recreation ground has rubbish and dog waste bins at the main entrances of the park. There is also changing rooms on-site that can be accessed with the use of the sports pitches. Access arrangements to facilities like the changing rooms need to be agreed with Leeds City Council in advance – use the contact email in the details above.

New Wortley Recreation Ground has several good food and drink options close by to the green space. Just off the A58 at the southern end of the ground is Greene King The Dragon. You can expect all your usual alcoholic and soft drink favourites. With a tasty British pub grub menu – veggie and vegan –  included. And once you’ve finished your food there’s the option to enjoy big screen live sport or sing your heart out at the pubs weekly karaoke.

Following the Oldfield Lane road west will bring you to a chippy called Ritz Fisheries that’s been serving fish and chips since 1933. Pick from all your usual chip shop selections from battered fish to pastry pies. We’ve been told that it’s the “best chippy” in Wortley and Armley, and it comes at a really fair price too!

Picnics

If none of the above take your fancy there’s plenty of open green space to set out a picnic, and catch some sunrays, overlooking a city skyline to remember.

Park for free on the residential road of Elmfield Grove, at the north end of the park.

• Elmfield Grove, postcode: LS12 4DL (Google Map Directions)

There is pedestrian access entrances to the north, south and east of the park. The access points and paths around the grounds are suitable for people requiring disability access. This is because the grounds have recently undergone an upgrade to the footpaths.

Please consider that toilet access is only available when the changing facilities are open.

Bus

To get to New Wortley Recreation Ground by bus you can catch the 254 and 255 from Wellington Street. Alight at the southern end of the park on the A58. Or you can take bus number 42 from the Headrow to the stop at the northern end of the ground on Oldfield Lane. Both trips will take you about 20-minutes.

Taxi

The quickest form of transport is a taxi which will clock 10-minutes on the metre.