Welcome
Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Leeds, St Aidan’s is a stunning park to explore. Whether you’re on foot, on your bike or have your camera at the ready, take advantage of the amazing views and wonderful wildlife including bitterns, avocets, black necked grebes, skylarks and meadow pipits.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Welcome PointAccessible toiletThe Little Owl Café Recreation AreaAccess with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to:
Toilet BlockHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Travel by taxi
Parking
Parking costs £4 for a full day. There is a parking machine located in the car park, near the main toilet block. Payment can be made at the ticket machine via card or contactless, or by using the Pay By Phone app. Cash payments can be taken in the Little Owl Café.
RSPB Members and Blue Badge holders can park for free.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The entrance to the Little Owl Café has an open doorway which is approximately 140cm wide. The doorway is reached via a short ramp, which is made of non-slip recycled plastic. The ramp is approximately 240cm wide, and less than 1:12 gradient. With prearrangement, we can support and assist with accessing the Little Owl Café.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Welcome Point
The Welcome Point is a wooden structure approximately 2m wide and 2m tall, and has an open front. The outside and inside of the shelter have signage and displays about the RSPB. There is a member of the RSPB team in or around the hut to welcome visitors and help with directions. One of the signs is a large map, which the team can use to help give directions to visitors.
Near the Visitor Welcome shelter there is a large blackboard which shows information on latest sightings, events and activities, and other useful information about what is happening on site.
Public toilet
Accessible toilet
There is ample space inside the cubicle for individuals with specific needs/need of a carer – the dimensions of the cubicle are approximately 140cm by 2m.
On the left hand side as you look at the toilet is a fold down baby changing table that can be used from a seated position. There is also a nappy bin. Breast feeding is welcome anywhere on site, including in the Little Owl Café.
There an emergency alarm cord that is accessible from ground level and is located to the right of the toilet as you face it. This emits a loud noise when operated, and alerts Little Owl Café staff that assistance is required. An additional vertical rail to the left of the toilet, when facing the toilet, can be easily lowered and locked into the horizontal position. Handrails are navy coloured, and toilet and washbasins are white. There are easy to operate push buttons to operate the taps on the sink.
There is an automatic hand dryer, hand soap dispenser, paper towels, a hygiene bin, and general waste bin.
Public toilet
Toilet Block
The male and female toilets are located in a small building separate to the Little Owl Café, which is located by the car park.
The male and female toilets have separate entrances, each with an open doorway which is approximately 80cm wide. Both toilets have sensor-activated lights. There are two steps up to each doorway, and no ramp access.
The female toilets contain four cubicles, and four sinks. The male toilets contain two cubicles, two urinals, and two sinks. Both sets of toilets also have hand soap dispensers, paper towels, hygiene bins and general waste bins.
Place to eat and drink
The Little Owl Café
Inside the Little Owl Café, visitors can purchase a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks, including crisps, cakes, traybakes, sausage rolls, and ice creams. Gluten free and vegan options are available. All calorie and allergen information is available – please talk to friendly staff about any concerns or questions.
Getting around outside
Bowers Bimble
There is a slope from the Little Owl Café down to the lake – the most direct route is a 1 in 10 slope downhill to access some of the trails, which is 110m long. There is also an accessible path which leads down through the Recreation Area. It has a hard surface, light gravel, and is less than a 1 in 12 gradient.
The Bowers Bimble footpath is mainly loose gravel and it is at least 2m wide. Some parts of the trail are public bridleway, as well as some public and permissive footpath. There are a number of lectern stands, made of recycled plastic, which contain family trail activities and information. There are a number of benches and rest areas along the trail.
Designated Walking Trail
Lowther Loop
There is a short section of the trail on the eastern edge of the lake which is currently inaccessible due to a broken bridge. This means the trail cannot be completed as a circular walk – visitors can walk along the northern, western and southern edges of the lake.
The trail It is mostly flat. The footpath is very rough and unsurfaced in places. Some parts of the trail are mainly long grass and roughly trampled. In wet weather it becomes very wet and muddy. The route is very narrow in places - sometimes less than 30cm. There are no benches on this trail. It is not suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs or pushchairs. Some sections of the trail are public bridleway.
Designated Walking Trail
Hillside Hike
Some inclines on this trail are more than a 1 in 12 gradient. The footpath is very rough and unsurfaced, mainly long grass and roughly trampled. In wet weather it becomes very wet and muddy. It is very narrow in places – sometimes less than 30cm. It is not suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs or pushchairs. Some sections of the trail are public bridleway. There are a small number of benches spaced along the trail.
Designated Walking Trail
Reedbed Ramble
The trail has a hard surface, is mainly loose gravel, and is at least 2m wide. It is mostly flat. All of this route is public bridleway. There are a number of benches and rest areas at regular intervals around the trail.
Picnic Area
The Little Owl Café balcony
The balcony is rectangular shaped, approximately 12 metres by 2 metres, and faces out onto the site. The surface is non-slip recycled plastic. The balcony is accessed by a ramp from the outside, which is at least 1m wide and less than 1:12 gradient. From the balcony, there is a small step up to get inside the Little Owl Café– a portable ramp is available and staff are happy to assist. Access between the inside of the building and the balcony is via a door with manual handle opening, which opens outwards towards the balcony side. The door is approximately 80cm wide.
On the balcony are a number of small round metal tables, and lightweight wicker chairs with metal frames. Chairs can easily be moved to create different seating options around tables, and there is ample room for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Picnic Area
Outdoor picnic area
Near the Little Owl Café there is an outdoor picnic area which includes 12 sturdy wooden benches – visitors are welcome to bring their own food to eat. There are general waste and recycling bins outside the Little Owl Café, which are clearly labelled.
Recreation Area
Outside the Little Owl Café there is a large grassed area, called the Recreation Area. The Recreation Area slopes down towards Bowers Lake, and extends east of the Little Owl Café towards the Linesway.
Visitors are welcome to picnic in the Recreation Area on the benches provided, and to enjoy the grassy spaces off the paths. Barbecues and open fires are not permitted.
There is an accessible path which leads down from the Little Owl Café and picnic benches towards the lake and the walking trails. It has a hard surface, is 1m wide or more, and is less than a 1in 12 gradient.
Customer care support
A mobility scooter is available to hire, and this can be brought to the car park on request. We require pre-booking – please contact us on 0113 2320529.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
A mobility scooter is available to hire, and this can be brought to the car park on request. We require pre-booking – please contact us on 0113 2320529.