The park was created on the site of the former Haw Park colliery, which was reclaimed and landscaped following the decline of the local coal industry.
The Room on the Broom trail includes a life-sized wooden sculpture of the Gruffalo's creator's famous witch and her cat.
It is a key site for migratory birds, often hosting rare waterfowl during the winter months.
The lake covers approximately 30 hectares of the total site area.
The park connects directly to the Barnsley Canal, an industrial heritage waterway.
It acts as a primary junction for the Trans Pennine Trail, a coast-to-coast route across northern England.
The woodland areas are primarily composed of native broadleaf trees planted during the 1980s reclamation project.
Anglers Country Park is a former coal mining site in Wakefield transformed into a managed nature reserve centered around a large lake. It features the Room on the Broom adventure trail, which includes sculptures of characters from the children's book by Julia Donaldson. The park provides an extensive network of footpaths suitable for walkers, cyclists, and mobility scooters. Its landscape contains a mix of woodlands, meadows, and open water that supports diverse wildlife including various species of waterfowl. The site is designated as a Local Nature Reserve. The lake itself provides a habitat for Great Crested Grebes and other nesting birds. There is a visitor center on-site that provides information on local trails and conservation efforts. It serves as a northern trailhead for the Trans Pennine Trail. The park is managed to encourage biodiversity while providing recreational space for the public.
The lakeside view near the carved Gruffalo statue during the 'golden hour'.
Download the Room on the Broom trail map from the visitor center website before arriving to make the most of the scavenger hunt.
Check local weather forecasts before visiting, as the open lake area can become quite windy and exposed.
Bring binoculars if you are interested in birdwatching, particularly during the transition seasons of spring and autumn.
Assuming the terrain is entirely paved; some woodland paths can become muddy after rainfall.
Keep dogs on a lead in sensitive wildlife zones; follow 'Leave No Trace' principles by taking all litter home.
