Northcliffe Park — Attraction in Bradford

This is a lovely, large park with several sides to it used by all the community. Also lots of wildlife, foxes, deer, parakeets.

Two main carparks/entrances off Bradford Road, some parking near Northcliffe Golf Club clubhouse in laybys on High Bank Lane, there is also parking by NEET & the allotments for the initiated (haha - don't know exactly what the criteria & means for using it is) multiple other entrance points footpaths through woods, including the adjacent Heaton woods, paths through golf courses (don't deviate), from sidestreets, some personal entrances from private gardens on both sides of the park (mutual respect required).

The model railway has reduced the number of weekend openings though is available to hire for birthdays (see posters in the park or look for their website for details). But it was sad to turn up and be disappointed recently. COVID kills all sorts of magic.

Management of the park (Council parks and recreation in partnership with Friends of Northcliffe)increasingly emphasizes wildlife to create meadows, habitat piles and expand the woods, leave more dead wood for the wildlife but manage paths & amenity too. Benches are dotted around throughout, memorial benches too - notably for local nursery school teacher Tony Woods. Tennis courts have recently been renewed, and volunteer run activities have steadily stepped up, multiple sports activities and teams use the park, but there was historical underinvestment in the park. In a way that's good because apart from the state of the changing rooms, and staring at the golf course's bridge it feels very natural & unspoilt. Formal & informal arts, sports & community events happen regularly, for example recently there was a popular kite display run by friends of Northcliffe & Northern Kite Association (or something like that) recently (props to Lydia), there was an orienteering event on the same day; the Rae gala day is coming up (named for Sir Norman Rae who donated the park, bit sycophantic taking vintage too far if you ask me but the day is not about that really - a small but good, busy traditional gala/fete including ferret racing, & mini train rides & cups of tea on a good day, kids & community organizations performing too. Stalls. Probably a raffle & tombola somewhere). There was some hanging artwork made at a solstice event. A few of us create ephemeral works of art with natural materials now & then. Kids build dens (caution/care required; sometimes unsound branches are placed up high, or too much disturbance is caused to the woods but I'm not against kids playing & sometimes join in: the dead wood in dens is also likely to grow jelly ear fungus for foragers).

I most often arrive on foot through Springs Wood (one of two stretches of woodland inside the park) from Avondale Road where there are public footpaths signposted: up the long stretch of shallow wooden steps (both beloved & infamous) or climbing a path. This side of the park is really good for bluebells in spring, only isolated patches of garlic.

The main entrance on the central Shipley side has ornate iron gates & a wide steep tarmac path through formal gardens towards tennis courts, bowling greens, play equipment, sports fields & changing rooms, fitness equipment and beyond carpark in grounds of now demolished toilets to the side of the gates (the other side's just for the houses & authorized access).

The other main entrance from Bradford Road & carpark is on the Frizingall/Heaton/Bradford side with flat access along a good path to the model society building & train tracks. There's a wide flat lawn with a picnic table. The path continues through the wooded valley besides the beck towards the steps at the end besides the golf course. Access rd & steps thru small formal gdn from entrance lead to allotments, NEET, woodland walks, &...

This is one of my very favourite places! It's a beautiful place to go for a walk, lots of open grassed space with firm paths stretching from the main gates on Bradford Road to an exit near the golf course at the top of Moorhead Lane. To the south it is bordered by woodland with a stream running through, there is another, smaller area of woodland to the north. There are some stunning views of the Aire valley. There are two children's play areas which seem very popular, as well as tennis courts, bowling greens, a putting green, football and cricket pitches. There are two large allotment sites, with the plots much in demand. Bradford model engineering society have a track in the woods and trains are run at the weekends, great fun especially if you have children. There is a parking area near the main gates and another at the entrance to the woods. Friends of Northcliffe have an interesting website with lots of information about the park and events they organise. A few more benches to sit and enjoy the wonderful views would be an improvement. Sadly, most of the seats are near the entrance, positioned on a steep slope, at an angle which makes relaxed sitting impossible. There are no public toilets here which might limit the length...

This park is an amazing spot in Bradford. The park itself is huge, with two play areas for kids, a football field, exercise equipment, and lots of woodland to explore. I didn't expect it to be as big, really unassuming from the main road. The only thing that's a bit disappointing is the small car park at the front. For such a large park, there really should be more parking. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are trains in the park. The Bradford Model Engineering Society operates the trains on the weekends. Fun for everyone, definitely something to go and experience. Don't...