Oakwell Hall — Attraction in Kirklees

This review has now changed - see December 2024 update note at bottom of this review. Great place for a walk with the dogs. Today (Nov 3rd 2023) we decided to take the dogs to Oakwell. The whole day was spoilt by the attitude of the staff at the Cafe next to the Hall. Granted they were very busy but they totally forgot my sister's meal. After what seemed like an hour we went and asked how long it would be. The lady taking the orders and also the lady in the back cooking were very abrupt shouting at us. My sister and I are diabetic and my sister was getting very low blood-suger readings - I wonder if the Cafe staff would have done anything if she went into a diabetic coma?? They never once apologised for forgetting my sister's meal, even when eventually came (after them being reminded once by my sister and once by myself). I know they were busy and that everyone makes mistakes but the arrogant way we we spoken to is unforgivable and very unnecessary. I understand that the Caffe is rented by Oakwell to the mother of the lady that served me but I cannot contact her so I am sending this email to you. Many people there agreed with me about the attitude of the staff in the cafe. I would like to suggest that Oakwell rent this Cafe to someone else in the future before it has a negative effect on the amount of people visiting the park. I would ask visitors to Please think very seriously before going to the Cafe next to Oakwell Hall the one at the bottom of the park (run by the council) is more expensive but at least they are helpful and polite.

Please pass this message on to the managers of Oakwell Hall. Thank you.

Update - December2024 The Willows has now taken over the Cafe near the hall. The cafe people are now helpful and kind, quite the opposite from what it was when I initially wrote the above. Food good. But most of all it is now staffed by nice, kind people.We have been to the new cafe several times and the staff attitude has completed changed from the unhelpful people who...

The sun was out, so we decided to spend a lazy afternoon at Oakwell Hall and Country Park. We were recommended this by friends and I'd never heard of it before, so wasn't sure what to expect. The onsite car park isn't big, but there are two csr oarks at either end, we arrived at 12pm and were lucky to get a depot, failing that, you can park on the main road. There is a kids playground and also a few other things for the older kids like monkey bars. There's lots of walkways and steps, there are also some huge grassed areas to play football or whatever you wish. There are gardens near the Hall and some spring flowers dotted around, but mainly its a nature trail type of place, a bit like New Millerdam, if you've been there. There is a cafe onsite selling coffee, paninis, sandwiches, cakes and the biggest Eccles cakes I've ever seen, but its only open at the weekend during lockdown. There are lots of benches and this place is great for walking your dog, couldn't believe how many they were, but no dog poop in sight 😉 I'll bring the kids next time, especially in summer, when everything is open. It's definitely worth visiting and is only a 10 minute drive from Leeds...

A lovely place for a walk around, with friends, family, or by yourself. I have many happy memories here. They occasionally have events, which are usually quite well organised. My reason for only 4 out of 5 stars is because it's starting to feel a bit neglected. I've been going to Oakwell for the past 30 years. Over the past 10 or so, it seems like the footpaths are getting less and less maintenance. There are a few loose benches, as well. My main gripe is with the viewpoint, at the top of the hill. Not many years ago I could see a few miles from up there. It was such a nice view, that's why there's a viewing point and benches there. Unfortunately it's now so overgrown on the banking that it's hard to see a few feet. I understand it's mainly volunteers that look after the park. I was one of them in my teens. It just feels like attention, money, and manpower is being used in the wrong places. The main gardens are lovely, as are the staff in the Visitor's Center. It would be great to see the grounds and trails getting a little attention, too. I'd happily volunteer again, if the days and hours were better suited to fit around a full time...