Roundhay Park is amazing. Situated on the outskirts of the thriving metropolis of Leeds it bears constant testimony to the foresight of our Victorian forefathers who created this haven of green for all to enjoy. I visited the park yesterday for the first time on my own. Well not strictly on my own as I was accompanied by my faithful guard dog - Dilly. Dilly might be a small lhasa apso but she is big on attitude despite not having many teeth. A true case of her bark is worse (much worse!) than her bite.I was there because Merice was attending a school reunion in Roundhay and not wishing to intrude on an all girl affair I escaped to the peace and quiet of this lovely space.for a couple of hours. Sadly I am not able to explore great areas of this wonderful park these days but I did enjoy a stroll up to an old bandstand overlooking the large lake. This is Waterloo Lake and an added attraction for me it that it features in one of the three paintings commissioned by the original founders to celebrate the grand opening of the park. The paintings were done by my very favourite artist - John Atkinson Grimshaw and typically he did three 'moonlights' even though the park would have been closed by then in those days. My watercolour is based on one of his oils and perhaps the great man even used the same vantage point that me and Dilly enjoyed so much. The park features the Lakeside Cafe and a more upmarket restaurant in the old Mansion House. There is another smaller lake, a folly of a ruined castle, a waterfall and acres of greenery to explore in between. Car parking is free (yup - free!) so if you fancy a day out put it on your list - you will not be disappointed.
RSS Feed
