Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Leek
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Leek
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Leek
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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What travellers are saying
- soopurrlondon46 contributionsWe visited during the half term, taking advantage of the different discounted tickets for the children aged 8 to 12 years old.
Overall, the facilities were clean and the park never felt overcrowded. There are cafes, play areas indoors and outside. The staff are friendly and welcomed all the questions our children asked. There are many information boards which are well written and clearly aimed at the younger visitors but still very interesting.
Obviously, the stars of the park are the animals and we saw many. They have some enclosures where you can walk around and stroke some of the animals, we particularly liked the rabbits. Whilst we were there, we saw the polar bears, artic foxes, red pandas, deer, alpacas, penguins, goats, lemurs, to name a few. They also have talks which are very engaging and we managed to time that right in the lemur enclosure with them dashing around and eating.
There are plenty of places to sit and eat (we had packed lunches). The drinks in the cafes are expensive but I imagine it’s not a cheap place to run.
In the autumn/winter, wear layers as it gets cold and located in quite an exposed area.
As you exit there is a great gift shop, you have been warned!
We would like to visit again in spring/summer.Written 2 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BottrellLondon, UK259 contributionsWarning: As parents of a 4.5 & 2.5year old we read on here “only takes 30mins from Gradbach car park” and “child friendly” but neither are accurate if with under 5s.
For an autumn trip, you need wellies and to wrap yourself up in waterproofs. Lots of sharp inclines, and tricky steps. Not well signposted, and google maps without phone reception is not helpful. There are some ‘rock and hard place’ choices along the route of scrambling up a steep muddy hill with rock steps to cut some time off, or go the really long way around and cut back. When you get there, your children will be tired and the ‘route through’ luds church recommended and out back around to Gradbach car park is longer than the way you came, which at least is mostly down hill. The trip up and back with our under 5s was 2.5 hours.
On the positive side, Lovely nature walk, enjoyable slipping and sliding in mud, looking at the river, and my children enjoyed seeing a gorge that looked like it was from ice age, and even had an acorn at the bottom.
We’d go again, and being real about the challenge you will face, isn’t saying it wasn’t fun and a good trip.
My tip, at the gate where you have a choice to go via gradbach mill, go left instead and up the hill, then down through the Scouts encampment. Not only do they have toilets which the public can use for a donation (useful for kids), you get to see some farm animals, and there are welly cleaning taps on the path.
If i was local, id try to figure out if there was somewhere better to park than Gradbach Car Park though. We were also left disappointed the river cafe was closed weekdays in Sept.Written 27 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - FinneymartStockport, UK106 contributionsWe’re very lucky to live within walking distance so can visit regularly. The children can take their bikes and cycle down the side of the lake occasionally we do the full circuit of the Lake. Beautiful scenery and a place to wind downWritten 1 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MoniiikaMansfield, UK125 contributionsBeautiful place for hike. There are rocks of different shapes and amazing views. There was also an ice cream van with most expensive ice cream on the road under the roaches.
I’ve done this hike with a beagle group and enjoyed a circular walk Lud’s church to The Roaches which was about 9miles.
My 5 years old daughter has completed this walk without a problem. there was also very muddy and in about half way through started raining But we’ve still enjoyed it.Written 4 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - andygib9Harrogate, UK10 contributionsWhat a fantastic day! Stu and the team made everyone really welcome right from the start. The way Stu approaches the training is extremely good. Building specific skills on the bike that all tie in together to really improved everyone’s riding. So much so that by the end of the day everyone was hugely more confident and capable on the bikes. Stu really knows his stuff, but he is also an excellent trainer and made the day great fun too. I highly recommend coming, you won’t regret it. I personally didn’t believe what I was capable of riding up, down and over by the end.Written 17 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jeff CoombesWrexham, UK5 contributionsWe were expecting a quick visit but our guide, Winston, made the experience fascinating. His depth of knowledge was matched by his humour. All the volunteers were friendly and welcoming and the visit was a hilight of our day. Our volunteer guide also suggested visiting Ilam which we did , enjoying an afternoon walking there. The whole affair is operated by volunteers who should be proud of their achievements.Written 4 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GoneCrabbingLeeds140 contributionsEasy to find, followed brown signs to the reserve on a quiet day. Found useful information on noticeboards and in unmanned visitor centre. The visitor centre had an honesty box for ice creams and pin badges. A choice of selected routes all sign posted. We followed the valley woodland trail, which was a peaceful walk in beautiful surrounds, with some parts being rather challenging.Written 19 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rebecca S21 contributionsA really great arts and crafts centre a must visit in Leek.
Please review your approach to locking peoples cars in your carpark with no warning signs that it could happen or contact details left for us. We were put in a very tricky situation that could have been alot worse.Written 22 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Shirley EDronfield, UK420 contributionsThere’s lots of car parks in Leek, long and short stay. The easiest one for here is probably in the market square. Then you just walk across the main road and downhill a few yards.
The museum is only small but there’s lots of stuff here. I particularly liked the wallaby. There’s lots of info about the silk industry (for which Leek was famous) even some silk worms. The staff were very friendly and informative. The building is interesting too for its architecture, as are many buildings in Leek.
Worth a trip.Written 25 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jerrishutCheddleton, UK126 contributionsThe cafe at Beaver Hall is our number one spot for breakfast or brunch. The food is cooked to order and is always served hot. Friendly people, who also know how to clean to Covid standards after each customer vacates their table. Cannot recommend Beaver Hall highly enough.Written 9 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ijdmmmLeicester, UK170 contributionsAbsolutely lovely old fashioned boozer with good friendly vibes. Felt totally welcome. Chris behind the bar really friendly.Written 20 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mark nixonStoke-on-Trent, UK215 contributionsOnce again wine and whiskey come up trumps for the wife’s birthday evening and she actually got a cake thrown in as well. We tasted port,gin and whiskey and some superb drinks were tasted. Ann Marie and David make the night fantastic with no stone unturned to make sure you have the best of nights,thank you both and see you soonWritten 8 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BumblemoreLeek, UK14 contributionsMy girlfriend and I visited here in 2019, for the first time. Unfortunately I found a nail in my pint and had to spit out blood and metallic parts. Then the waitress ( with a right face on) cake and asked my gf for the straw ( very disappointing) fortunately she left us to enjoy the reminents of our drinks and move on to bubbles (the premier bar in leek).
#upTheBluesWritten 12 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mrs H2 contributionsWe went on the Halloween Train of Terror (Sunday 28th Oct) and just want to say a big thank you to the RLSR team!! Absolutely fantastic set up, we've done the Halloween train the last couple of years and it was good- but the effort you guys put in.... brilliant!!!
The build up on social media was great, the lights going off, the girl ghost, the actors who jumped at the train and tapped the window - it was the perfect spooky night out as a family. (2 adults, 5 year old and baby)
We've been many times before and will be back soon for another visit.
Carriages don't have a door so are effectively open to elements (they do advise this), it was rainy and we were perfectly warm and dry. The staff were great, they tried to hold the last train for a family who went to the wrong station, they even take bookings via email and you can pay via PayPal or bank transfer. Very efficient as it meant we were guaranteed to be seated together.Written 28 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Bernadette CCongleton, UK37 contributionsI went for a taster Session and it was FANTASTIC!!!!. They seem to have thought of everything 👏The Staff were really friendly & welcoming.
They certainly made this OAP feel totally at ease. It was great that they supply you with a wetsuit and if you want, a wind proof jackets, that came in handy the day I was there
The Instructor taught us so much & she was so lovely, patient & encouraging. The warm changing room was a bonus , you can also get hit drinks & cakes. Totally fabulous location.I am looking forward to returning in the Spring.Written 25 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.