Primrose Valley Park

Primrose Valley Park is one of the five nature reserves that make up the Wyke Beck Valley, a green corridor brimming with nature and diverse habitats that follows the Wyke Beck. Primrose Valley is located in the east Leeds district  of Halton, 5 miles from Leeds City Centre and is a great place for cyclists, nature lovers and families to explore.

Explore the forest

Delve into the forest of Primrose Valley where you will find a mix of oak, silver birch, sycamore and coniferous species standing tall amongst the rich grasslands. Can you spot the wild cherry trees? Visit in the summer months to forage the delicious cherries, before the birds get them.

To the east of the nature reserve there is a little pond, which has in the past hosted pond dipping events. Visit in the spring and you might be able to spot the spawn of frogs and the smooth newt under the water’s surface.

There are hedgerows and scrublands scattered amongst the trees, home to a variety of small mammals, birds and insects. Foxes and bats have been seen in the area along with kestrels, buzzards and red kites which can be seen circling in the skies hunting for prey.

Nature reserve meets park

Stroll through the woods of the Primrose Valley Nature Reserve and you will find Primrose Valley Park. Featuring a large bowling green the park is a great place to take children and four legged friends to run around and let off steam.

Football

Enjoy a game of football on the park’s large football playing field.

Tennis

There are three tennis court to use. Bring your own rackets and balls.

Do I need to book a tennis court?

It’s free to use the tennis court but you will need to book a court space on the LTA clubspark website.

Bowling

Chapel Street Bowling Club play crown green bowls at the council maintained bowling green. Their pitch is located next to the tennis courts.

Walk along the Primrose Valley Park Loop

The Primrose Valley Park loop is a 3.2km looped trail that takes you through the forests of the Primrose Valley Nature Reserve and into the park. The lightly trafficked trail is suitable for all ability levels and is great for those who enjoy hiking, walking, running amongst nature. The route is also a great place to walk the dog!

Cycle or Run the Wyke Beck Way

Primrose Valley is one of the five nature reserves that features on the Wyke Beck Way a 6.7 mile (or 13.4 mile stretch if you choose to do there and back) network of cycle paths that take you on a journey through some of Leeds greenest areas.

Start at Roundhay Park, one of the biggest parks in Europe and opposite the fantastic Tropical World, follow the freshwater Beck through five diverse nature reserves featuring woodlands, scrublands and meadows and end up at the grand Temple Newsam Estate, complete with a farm that the kids will love.

The route is fairly easy going and uses a mix of quiet roads, cycle routes and pathways. It is on the National Cycle Network and follows path 6. A map of the route can be found on the OS Maps.

What are you waiting for? Get on your bike and explore and if you’re more of a runner the cycle route is a perfect place to practice those 10km and half marathon distances.

To find out more about the Wyke Beck Way and other great cycles routes in Leeds and surrounding areas visit the Sustrans website.

Whilst Primrose Valley is now a designated nature reserve, community green space and habitat for a variety of wildlife it didn’t used to be so tranquil. In fact Primrose Valley was a hive of activity. It was originally a farm, before being used as a quarry, a coal mine and a sewage works after which the land was landscaped into a landfill site. By 1938 the old quarry workings were marked as disused and replaced by a recreation ground and allotments .

Pay attention when visiting Primrose Valley Park as you may see clues to the past, such as tall steel poles sticking out from hillier bits of the park. It is believed that these were used to let out methane gas from the waste under the topsoil.

There are no toilet facilities at Primrose Valley. Please use the bins provided or take your litter home with you.

Primrose Valley is a great place to picnic. Stop for a bite to eat amongst the trees and listen to the sounds of nature or take a perch at the top of a hill for great views over the city.

On nearby Selby Road you will find the friendly Marimonte Restaurant  serving up tasty Mediterranean food with a smile. Expect to see a mix of authentic Mediterranean pasta, pizza and grill dishes on the menu. There restaurant has a selection of vegetarian pizza options

Another great food choice on Selby Road is Spice House Indian Restaurant. A family run business they specialise in authentic fusion dishes full of fresh ingredients and flavour that combine tastes from Indian and Bangladishi cuisine. Described as one of Halton’s gems, Spice House is well worth a visit.

There is no car park at Primrose Valley. Limited parking is available roadside in nearby residential streets.

There are surfaced paths across the site which are great for completing circular walks of the nature reserve. These can be accessed via entrances on Sutton Approach (off York Road), Lucy Avenue (off Selby Road) and Primrose Lane. Surface paths are suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Be careful when using informal paths as these may be bumpy and muddy.

You can get to Primrose Valley Nature Reserve by car by following the A64(M) and York road from Leeds City Centre

Travelling by bus? Take the 19, 19A, 40 or 163 bus from Leeds City Centre. Alight at Selby Road Primrose Lane or Selby Road Portage Avenue.