A Leeds local favourite, Roundhay Park has hosted thousands of visitors for the past 200 years.
Leeds is lucky enough to be home to one of Europe’s biggest city parks - and one of the most memorable features are the lakes.
One's used for fishing and the other harbouring wildlife, and there’s far more than meets the eye here.
Completed over 200 years ago in 1815, the Waterloo Lake spans across 12 hectares on the site of an old quarry mine. It is thought that the area was dammed up by unemployed war veterans after mining work scarred the landscape.
Owner Thomas Nicholson then named the larger lake Waterloo Lake after the Battle of Waterloo as a thank you to the soldiers.
Over the years the lakes at Roundhay Park have seen some unusual activity, including the crossing of the upper lake on a high wire by 72-year-old artist Charles Blondin and also in the late 1800s, a fully rigged ship was destroyed here by a torpedo in a realistic battle on Waterloo Lake.
There was also should have been a third lake where the cricket pitch stands today. The bowl shape was dug out but Nicholson died before it was created.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Today the parklands and its beautiful lakes are used for watersports, exhibitions and competitions every year, as well as acting as a walking circuit loved by locals and visitors alike.
How many times have you walked past this fella and wondered who on earth he is?
The jolly man with a barrel is fondly known as 'The Barrel Man' and has been living outside St John’s Centre in Dortmund Square since 1980 and was a present from our twin town of Dortmund.
Named ‘Dortmund Drayman’, he was created by German sculptor Arthur Schulze-Engels and given as a gift to celebrate ten years of partnership between Leeds and Dortmund.
It has been reported on local forum pages that there is also a similar-looking man with a barrel over in Dortmund too.
The idea of twinning with a town came after the Second World War, to foster relationships and bring together different cultures that may have been on opposing sides during the early twentieth century.
The plinth on the statue reads: "In appreciation of the successful Twin Town relationship characterized by goodwill and cooperation and to symbolize the flourishing progress the citizens of Dortmund have great pleasure in presenting the city of Leeds with this sculpture. September 1980. Gunter Samtlebe, Oberburgermeister"
The act of peace is symbolised by the presence of the Dortmund Drayman and today continues to be a meeting place for visitors, locals and pigeons alike.
To find out more about the history of Leeds' most exciting pubs, statues and events, check out our Short Stuff series on TikTok and Instagram.
Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds
Short Stuff
The Lost Summer House inside Roundhay Park – its fascinating history and how to find it
Sophie Smith
Have you ever come across the remains of the old bandstand and hidden summer house?
The lost summer house is certainly one of Roundhay Park's best hints at the park's heritage from centuries gone by - but finding it will require a trip off the beaten path...
The forgotten bandstand and summer house date way back to the 1800s and were once part of the Roundhay Lodge. It is thought that the lodge was owned by Elmer Hall, built originally by the park owner the Nicholson Family before being sold on to famous Leeds engineer James Kitson.
People report that this was the place where the Kitson family would host musical bands hired to perform concerts. Although the area is overgrown today, it’s still a fascinating piece of Leeds history that’s well worth a visit.
How to find the Lost Summer House at Roundhay Park...
The location of the lost summer house has been carefully kept secret from the internet since its location was first found, and we're not going to be the ones that spoil the secret - but it doesn't mean we can't give you some hints
There's a few different ways you can find the summer house - and given there's 700-acres of land to sift through, here's a few very rough ideas we've tried and tested or heard down the grapevine as successful ways of finding the hidden beauty spot...
Find the golf boundary by the lower lake and walk directly upwards, following the boundary off the track and into a wooded area, it's about 15 minutes away from the main lake
Enter from the car park off Wetherby Road and stick to the left-hand-side of the path, you'll come across the bandstand after 20-30 minutes (just as you think you want to give up, it appears)
Follow Google Maps coordinates: 53 50 5.31N 1 29 17.46W to find the exact location
Type into Google Maps to find the Victorian Summer House (although this doesn't always work if you're not already in the park's vicinity)
Sophie Smith -
7th July 2023 
