Leeds is a great place to do Guiding, with lots of places to visit with your unit. Below you will find some ideas for places to go when you want to take your unit on a trip further afield than your usual meeting place.
Please check the Girlguiding website for guidance about what you require when taking your girls away from the unit meeting place (e.g. risk assessments, consent forms).
We will continue to add to this list when we come across something new. If you have any great ideas to share with other leaders, please contact us on resources@girlguidingleeds.org.uk and we’ll add it to the list.
Infinity Parks (Greengates) [Discount available for Girlguiding groups]
Our centre offers a range of exciting and engaging activities, including soft play, inflatables, a football arena, and a fantastic role-play area that allows children to explore, learn, and have fun together. We’d love to welcome your Girl Guide groups for a fun day/evening out at our facility!
To make this experience even more accessible, we are offering special discounted group tickets just for you. This is a great opportunity for your girls to enjoy a memorable and active outing, whether it’s as part of a badge work activity, a team-building session, or simply to have some fun.
01274 271327 – david@infinityparks.co.uk
www.infinityparks.co.uk
Clip & Climb (Leeds or Ilkley)
A tried and tested favourite with our County’s units. A range of colourful and fun climbing walls for all ages.
https://leeds.clipnclimb.co.uk/
https://clipnclimbilkley.co.uk/
The Depot, Pudsey
Bouldering, a fun alternative to climbing.
https://www.depotclimbing.co.uk/leeds/
Yeadon Tarn
Kayaking, sailing and raft building. Packages can be tailored to your group.
https://active.leeds.gov.uk/findacentre/LeedsSailingandActivityCentre
Middleton Railway
The oldest continuously working railway in the UK (1758 to present), steam trains will take you to Middleton Park and back. Discounted tickets available with the ever popular Santa train heavily discounted in early December.
https://middletonrailway.org.uk/
Nell Bank Activity Centre
Fantastic day trips or residentials for all ages. Facilities include adventure playground, pond dipping, habitat trail, assault course, etc. Activities led by centre staff. Excellent indoor accommodations. Day trips from £14pp and residentials from £40pp (2021).
https://www.nellbank.org/
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm
A working farm with an aim of reconnecting urban people with their food. They have a wide variety of animals and gardens. Evening visits can be arranged for just £1 per child with leaders going free. Contact education@mvuf.org.uk
https://www.mvuf.org.uk/
LCC Park Rangers
The park rangers can visit green spaces, such as, Otley Chevin with your unit.
Contact Countrysiderangers@leeds.gov.uk for more details and to book a session.
Horse Riding
Kelcliffe Riding Stables in Guiseley will offer riding for Brownie, Guide and Ranger groups.
Parks and Walks
Leeds leaders recommend orienteering at Bramley Fall Park, the Hollies, Middleton Park, Horsforth Park, Meanwood Park and Spring Wood at Esholt.
Museums:
Thackray Medical Museum
https://thackraymuseum.co.uk/
Abbey House
https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/abbey-house-museum/
Thwaite Mill
https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/thwaite-watermill/
Armley Mills Industrial Museum
https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-industrial-museum/
Leeds City Museum – Get close to amazing animals, uncover buried archaeological treasures and discover the incredible story of Leeds’ history, at Leeds City Museum.
Visit the website here.
Royal Armouries – Explore arms and armour from across the world and through time at the Royal Armouries.
Visit the website here.
West Leeds Activity Centre
Water sports, pedal go-karts, climbing, crafts, assault course, orienteering, water slide and more!
www.westleedsactivitycentre.co.uk
Gravity Leeds trampoline park, Kirkstall
Let loose as the girls jump, bounce and dance on the extreme trampolines
https://www.gravity-uk.com/cardigan-fields-leeds
Leeds Brownie Owl Trail
If you look around you while you’re in Leeds, you will notice that owls are a recurring theme. Owls are actually part of the city’s heritage dating back centuries to the city’s first alderman.
If you are seeking a fun and physical activity to pass a couple of hours, and as owls form such an important part of the Brownie story, you could follow the Leeds Owl Trail to twenty-five locations around the city.
You can order badges at a cost of £1 each, from our online shop: https://shop.girlguidingleeds.org.uk/product/owl-trail-badge
Visit the Leeds Owl Trail website here.
Kirkstall Abbey [Free]
Grade 1 listed Kirkstall Abbey is one of the best preserved monasteries in the country and sits in leafy grounds besides the River Aire.
Visit the website here.
Temple Newsam [Group rates available, grounds free]
Discover Temple Newsam and explore the Tudor-Jacobean mansion filled with hidden treasures, encounter rare breed farm animals in the historic farm and stroll through the impressive grounds and gardens.
Visit the website here.
GO APE [Discounts available for groups]
Muster your courage and summon your strength for the challenging courses at GO APE, set in the grounds of Temple Newsam.
Visit the website here.
Ice Cube [Prior booking required. Charity rates available]
Yorkshire’s coolest wintertime attraction, Ice Cube (ice skating), is situated in Millennium Square, usually open during January and February each year.
Visit the website here.
Planet Ice [Discounts for Girlguiding groups available]
Ice skating sessions, lessons and events. Also hold ice skating performances, including Christmas pantos – for ticket enquiries (discounts available for Guiding groups) contact foh.leeds@planet-ice.co.uk
https://www.planet-ice.co.uk/
Tropical World [Entry fee]
Home to the largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew Gardens, Tropical World provides the opportunity to explore the plants, animals and insect life from exotic places across the world.
Visit the website here.
Fairburn Ings [Parking fee for non-RSPB members]
Shaped by a long history of coal mining, Fairburn Ings is an RSPB reserve that protects a mixture of habitats. At Fairburn Ings there are facilities to do pond dipping and also winding trails through woodland, wetland and grassland, offering the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Charges for some activities.
Visit the website here.
