Friarwood Valley Gardens
Location - Mayor’s Walk, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2RR
Distance (around) - no specific route it’s more of a wander
Terrain - The ground is firm concrete but can have a camber
Stars (out of 5) - 5
Points to note -
Only a few small parking spaces, with quite uneven ground
No toilets or café
Local area so there are other dogs and kids
Has events in the summer
Lovely blossom in the spring
Friarwood Valley Gardens is a very local place which we pass often but rarely visit, yet we enjoy going every time we do. Located on Mayor’s Walk, Pontefract (WF8 2RR) there is a small carpark from the main road which can fit about 3 or 4 cars, the ground is uneven and could do with resurfacing, but being steady is manageable. In the spring you enter the gardens under a canopy of blossom trees, which are a beautiful sight, and always an opportunity for a photo! Although Betty was not obliging on this occasion.
The ground is sturdy being tarmac and the path is quite wide, you can easily fit ‘two way traffic’ on the path as you walk. As always we keep Betty on a lead, but there is grass directly by the side of the path which given a long lead she can run and sniff on, there are a number of benches to rest, along with bins for the all important poo bags.
There is no distinct route, it’s a variety of different paths and you can spend as long or as little walking. Historically it was a medieval monastery, followed by a cemetery and orchard, before becoming public gardens in the 1950’s. There are a few steep inclines, with an uneven camber, and steps to the far exits. But these inclines are avoidable with plenty of flat footpath to walk. There is a generic park (slides, sea-saw etc.) and a rose garden, along with a few historical signs about the site itself, and installations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We also noted a few carved wooden figures, which were a novelty to spot, including an owls, squirrels, a friar, and someone we thought resembled Dumbledore!
In the summer there are events held in the location, although you would have to read up on whether these are dog friendly, you can find more information here, and they also have a Facebook page. It would certainly suit as a picnic space, which is accessible for wheelchairs and allows running space for dogs.
Tip - during spring the blossom is lovely.