Friarwood Valley Gardens
📍 Mayor's Walk, Pontefract WF8 2RR, UK
About Friarwood Valley Gardens
Discover the tranquil charm of Friarwood Valley Gardens, a beloved green space nestled conveniently close to Pontefract town centre. Boasting an excellent Google rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 460 reviews, these gardens are a highly-rated destination for relaxation and family fun.
A Serene & Historic Retreat
Visitors consistently praise the gardens for their beautiful and serene atmosphere, offering a perfect escape from the everyday. Steeped in history, the site once housed a medieval monastery and has been cherished by generations, creating lasting memories for decades. Seasonal displays, including stunning cherry blossoms in spring, provide vibrant bursts of colour throughout the year.
Perfect for All Ages
- Vibrant floral displays, with particular appreciation for seasonal highlights like cherry blossoms.
- A well-equipped play area, perfect for younger visitors to enjoy.
- Its prime location means it’s always closer than Pontefract Park for a delightful town centre stroll.
Friarwood Valley Gardens invites you to unwind, explore, and enjoy its unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance, making it a must-visit spot in Pontefract.
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📍 Mayor's Walk, Pontefract WF8 2RR, UK
from 465 reviews
Google Reviews
Reviews from Google Maps.
Showing 5 of 465 reviews from Google Maps.Last updated 6 February 2026.View all on Google →
A nice garden that is right next to the town centre (it's closer than Pontefract Park). It has a good play area, plenty of flowers to look on the flowerbeds and has many benches to sit on and relax. A great park for the town Pontefract!
These Gardens have been here decades , I remember coming here as a child , and bringing my children. It's on the site of a medieval monastery run by black monks , the site is in a hollow from the main A road in Pontefract and a small stream runs at the bottom. There are two main paths, a high one and a low one, other paths between the two. Predominantly grass but flower and rose beds intermittently throughout. A peaceful and historic site well kept by the local authorities. There used to be a paddling pool here when I brought my children , sadly no longer here and a bird aviary which as also disappeared. My photos were taken when I visited on Yorkshire day 1st August , were the town of Pontefract had put on a fair , it was well attended especially by families . Would recommend a visit, and it's freezing to enter the gardens
The garden was very beautiful and serene. I had been looking to enjoy the cherry blossoms this spring and this park was the perfect spot. The blooms were pretty and very picturesque. Most of all the peace and quiet to enjoy the gardens. I plant to visit again in summer when the roses will bloom. I noticed the gardens had specific area for roses. This is a great place for a stroll, a calm picnic in a sunny day
Pretty little park, beautiful all the year round, tucked away next to the hospital. Well maintained and supported by gardening volunteers who you often see maintaining the gardens as you walk round. The rose garden is a beautiful peaceful place to sit.
Perfect for the short walks with lovely blossom trees and flower beds. Clearly looked after very well by a volunteer trust, it is well worth a visit if you are nearby and want to stretch the legs. Not a long walk so don't come if you want to walk more than 3000 steps, but with few steps and plenty of walkways and grass areas, perfect for pushchairs and letting children blow off steam with a small play area available