Haw Park Circular Walk

Michael Palmer
Jul 13
6 min read

Updated: Aug 4

Haw Park Circular Walk – 3.1 Miles Near Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Looking for an easy circular walk near Wakefield? This 3.1-mile Haw Park Circular Walk takes you through the peaceful woodland of Haw Park Wood, close to Anglers Country Park and Wintersett in West Yorkshire.

Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire. We found it to be an easy and enjoyable walk, making it a great choice if you're looking for a shorter woodland walk around Wakefield.

With mature woodland, wildlife and the wider landscape around Anglers Country Park nearby, it's a lovely place to get outside without committing to a long or difficult walk.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks or explore our full collection of Yorkshire circular walks.

Haw Park Circular Walk at a Glance

Distance: 3.1 miles

Route type: Circular

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Haw Park Wood

Area: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Nearby: Anglers Country Park and Wintersett

Recorded using: Komoot GPS

Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire

About the Haw Park Circular Walk

The Haw Park Circular Walk is a relatively short woodland route close to Anglers Country Park, south-east of Wakefield.

At just 3.1 miles, we found this to be an easy walk and a good option if you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a relaxed hour or two outdoors.

The route takes you through Haw Park Wood, where mature trees, woodland paths and open clearings create a completely different atmosphere from some of our more open countryside walks.

It's particularly enjoyable if, like Lyn and me, you appreciate walks where you can slow down and enjoy the surroundings rather than concentrating on covering lots of miles.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks

Haw Park Wood: A Brief History

Haw Park Wood has formed part of the Wakefield landscape for centuries.

The woodland has historically been managed for timber and other woodland resources, reflecting a time when woods played an important economic role in surrounding communities.

Over time, the landscape changed considerably.

Industry and particularly coal mining transformed much of this part of West Yorkshire, before the decline of the mining industry brought another period of change.

Today, Haw Park Wood is valued primarily for something very different – wildlife, recreation and the opportunity to enjoy nature close to Wakefield.

If you enjoy discovering the history and heritage behind the places Lyn and I visit, discover Yorkshire attractions and historic places to visit.

From Working Woodland to Nature Reserve

One of the things we enjoy about walking around Yorkshire is seeing how landscapes have changed over the centuries.

Haw Park Wood is a good example.

What was once a landscape managed partly for its natural resources is now an important green space and Local Nature Reserve.

The woodland contains a mixture of mature trees and younger growth, providing habitats for a variety of plants, birds and animals.

Its proximity to Anglers Country Park and the Wintersett area also means Haw Park forms part of a much larger landscape of woodland, water and open countryside.

Wildlife at Haw Park Wood

One of the pleasures of this walk is simply being surrounded by woodland.

Haw Park Wood supports a variety of wildlife, including woodland birds and mammals, while the plants and wildflowers change throughout the seasons.

Spring brings fresh growth and woodland flowers, summer creates a shady green canopy, and autumn completely changes the character of the wood as the leaves turn.

It means this is the sort of walk you could complete several times during the year and have a slightly different experience each time.

Discover more Yorkshire attractions and places to visit

Anglers Country Park and Wintersett

Haw Park Wood sits within a wider landscape that includes Anglers Country Park and the Wintersett reservoir area.

This part of Wakefield has undergone enormous changes over the years, particularly as former industrial and mining landscapes have been reclaimed and returned to nature.

Today the area provides miles of walking routes as well as important habitats for wildlife.

For Lyn and me, that's one of the interesting things about walking around Wakefield and West Yorkshire.

You're often walking through a landscape that looks completely natural today but has a fascinating industrial story hidden beneath it.

What Can You Expect on the Haw Park Circular Walk?

We found this to be a straightforward and easy woodland walk.

The route takes you through mature woodland along paths and tracks, with occasional more open areas breaking up the tree cover.

Because much of the walk is through woodland, it has a peaceful feel and makes a nice alternative to routes across exposed fields and open countryside.

As with any woodland walk, conditions underfoot can change considerably after prolonged rain, so we'd recommend sensible walking footwear.

Is the Haw Park Circular Walk Difficult?

No. Lyn and I found the Haw Park Circular Walk to be an easy walk.

At only 3.1 miles, it's one of the shorter routes we've personally walked and recorded for The White Shire.

That makes it a good choice for anyone looking for an easy circular walk near Wakefield without tackling a particularly long route.

How Long is the Haw Park Circular Walk?

The Haw Park Circular Walk is approximately 3.1 miles.

Your walking time will depend on your own pace and how often you stop to enjoy the woodland, take photographs or look for wildlife.

It's certainly not a walk that needs to be rushed.

Is Haw Park Circular Walk Suitable for Families?

We found the route easy, which makes Haw Park worth considering for families looking for a relatively short woodland walk.

However, countryside and woodland conditions can change with the weather, and anyone completing the route should choose footwear appropriate for the conditions on the day.

Can You See Wildlife at Haw Park Wood?

Yes. Haw Park Wood and the surrounding nature reserves provide habitats for a variety of birds, mammals and woodland species.

What you see will naturally depend on the season, weather and time of day.

Part of the enjoyment is simply keeping your eyes and ears open as you make your way through the wood.

Where is Haw Park Wood?

Haw Park Wood is situated close to Anglers Country Park and Wintersett, south-east of Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Its location makes it particularly convenient if you're looking for easy circular walks around Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford and the surrounding area.

Is Haw Park Wood Worth Visiting?

We think so.

This isn't a walk about dramatic hills or covering a huge distance.

Its appeal is its simplicity.

It's a relatively short, easy woodland walk where you can enjoy the trees, wildlife and changing seasons while also exploring a landscape with connections to Wakefield's rural and industrial past.

For Lyn and me, that's exactly what many of our White Shire walks are about – finding interesting places around Yorkshire that we might otherwise never have taken the time to explore.

Explore More of West Yorkshire

If you've enjoyed discovering Haw Park Wood, there are plenty more places to explore with us across West Yorkshire.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks and find another route personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded by Michael and Lyn.

Explore our full collection of Yorkshire circular walks covering routes across West, North, South and East Yorkshire.

Discover Yorkshire attractions and places to visit, including historic places, countryside destinations, heritage sites and interesting places to explore.

Planning another day out? See what's on in West Yorkshire and discover events, shows, festivals and other things happening around the county.

If you're planning a longer visit, discover places to stay in West Yorkshire.

You can also discover Yorkshire businesses and local services through The White Shire's growing Yorkshire business directory.

About Michael and Lyn

Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.

Our walking guides combine first-hand experience with practical route information, local history and the character of the towns, villages and countryside we discover along the way.

We're not professional hikers – we simply enjoy getting out together, finding somewhere interesting to walk and discovering more of Yorkshire as we go.

Haw Park Circular Walk

View our GPS-recorded Haw Park Circular Walk on Komoot to see the route and use it to help plan your own walk around this peaceful part of West Yorkshire.

View our 3.1-mile Haw Park Circular Walk on Komoot

Haw Park Circular Walk