Historic grounds at Temple Newsam now offer an accessible route for all visitors to explore.
In a celebration launch event, a new accessible route connecting Leeds and Rothwell at the Temple Newsam Estate was officially unveiled. This significant development, made possible through National Highways' Designated Funds programme, is part of a commitment to improve the quality of the National Cycle Network and make it accessible for everyone.
The new route, part of the National Cycle Network, starts outside Temple Newsam House and runs through the estate, connecting with National Cycle Route 66 in the north and Pontefract Lane to the south. The team behind this project worked closely with the heritage team at Temple Newsam Estate, as well as landscape architects reShaped, who have previously carried out similar work on Liverpool's waterfront.
The improvements made to the existing cobbled path ensure it is now smooth and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. To maintain the historic character of the estate, the cobblestones were carefully filed down. In addition, a former carriageway that had been grassed over was reinstated, creating an expansive walking, wheeling, and cycling route.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families and ward member for Temple Newsam, Leeds, expressed her pleasure in creating this new National Cycle Network route. She was joined by Freda Rashdi, Head of Customer Journeys at National Highways, who expressed pride in supporting the project.
The improvements also include a safer signalised road crossing at the estate's southern entrance on Pontefract Lane, installed by Leeds City Council's Highways team, and better directional signage throughout the estate to help navigate through the grounds.
This new route, if extended, would enable people to connect with National Cycle Network Route 67 along the canal, further enhancing accessibility in the broader area. The Network Development team aims to secure future funding to extend the route over the Aire and Calder Navigation and the River Aire, and into Rothwell.
The vision of National Highways is to make end-to-end journeys easier for everyone, whether walking, wheeling, cycling, or horse-riding. This new accessible route is a significant step towards achieving that vision, opening up the Temple Newsam Estate to many more people, including disabled individuals and families with buggies, for leisure and short trips.
The new accessible route, part of the National Cycle Network, offers an opportunity for outdoor-living enthusiasts to explore the Temple Newsam Estate on foot, wheel, or bike. With the extension of this route, home-and-garden lovers can also easily connect with National Cycle Network Route 67 along the canal, creating a lifestyle that merges nature and attraction visits.
