The best walks and hikes around Huntwick With Foulby And Nostell

Yes, the area is excellent for families. Many trails are on gentle, well-maintained paths. A great option is the Nostell Priory Lower Lake – View From the House loop from Wragby, which is a short and easy walk. Additionally, the nearby Anglers Country Park features the popular 'Room on the Broom Adventure Trail', which is a big hit with younger children.

Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths and throughout the wider Nostell parkland. However, please keep them on a lead, especially around wildlife near the lakes and in areas with grazing livestock. Always be sure to clean up after your pet to keep the trails enjoyable for everyone.

The two main starting points both have dedicated parking. The National Trust car park at Nostell Priory is ideal for exploring the estate's trails. For walks around the lake and connecting woodlands, Anglers Country Park also has a large car park. Both are pay-and-display, so it's a good idea to have some change or a payment card.

Yes, the main hub of the area, Nostell Priory, is accessible by bus services from nearby towns like Wakefield. From there, you can easily access the network of footpaths. We recommend checking local bus timetables for the most current routes and schedules before you travel.

The landscape is a beautiful mix of historic parkland, serene lakes, and ancient woodlands. You'll walk through traditional grazing pastures and wildflower meadows, with key features including the impressive 18th-century Nostell Priory, the lakeside Boathouse, and the striking Obelisk gatehouse.

While most trails are gentle, there are options for a longer day out. The Anglers Country Park Lake – Nostell Priory Lower Lake loop from Nostell is a moderate hike of over 7.5 miles (12 km) that connects the two main parks. For a true challenge, the 70-mile Wakefield Way long-distance path also passes through the district.

The area is highly regarded by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the well-maintained paths, the beautiful lakeside scenery, and the peaceful atmosphere of the woodlands. The blend of nature and history is a frequently mentioned highlight.

Many of the main paths, particularly the two-mile accessible trail around the lake at Anglers Country Park, are perfect for a gentle cycle or run. The wider network of public footpaths in the woodlands can be more rugged and may be better suited for trail running or mountain biking.

The region offers several fantastic hiking areas that are popular with locals.

• Nostell Priory: The heart of the area, offering 300 acres of free-to-access parkland with multiple marked trails.
• Anglers Country Park: A Green Flag award-winning park with an accessible lakeside path and connections to other reserves.
• Haw Park Wood: A beautiful and quiet woodland adjacent to Anglers Country Park, known for its peaceful atmosphere.
• Walton Country Park: A highly-regarded nature park with lakes, wildflowers, and trails for hiking and cycling.

The trails are enjoyable year-round. Spring brings vibrant wildflower meadows, summer is perfect for leisurely lakeside strolls, autumn offers stunning colours in the ancient woodlands, and the hard-surfaced paths make for great crisp winter walks.

The area is steeped in history, centered on the 18th-century Nostell Priory, an architectural masterpiece designed in part by Robert Adam. The surrounding parkland was landscaped in the 1700s and contains several historic follies, including the Obelisk Lodge and a Gothic Archway, which you can see on many of the walks.