Figures suggest Bradford has better access to green spaces

With many people in Bradford enjoying the delights of such places as Baildon Moor, Lister Park and other areas, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs estimates 184,269 of the 221,795 households in Bradford have an accessible green space of two hectares or larger within one kilometre of their house – accounting for 83 per cent of homes.

Roberts Park (Image: Newsquest)

It suggests people in Bradford have greater access than most people in Yorkshire and The Humber, where 77 per cent of all households have access to green spaces.

T&A readers took to Facebook to talk about their favourite green spaces in the Bradford district.

One reader said: “Love the countryside on the edge of the city - Apperley Bridge is lovely (very lucky to call it home) and the moors by Riddlesden and Silsden are stunning. Say what you want about Bradford but it’s beautiful.”

Lister Park with Cartwright Hall in the background (Image: Newsquest)

“Lister Park is lovely,” said another resident. “There are loads of green spaces all over the district - 15 minutes from the city centre you’re on Baildon Moor or down by the canal.”

One person said they “love Heaton Woods and Northcliffe Park when the sun is setting” and another commented on the “gorgeous sunsets at Hewenden Viaduct at Cullingworth”.

Hewenden Viaduct at Cullingworth (Image: Newsquest)

Other popular green areas include Roberts Park, Shipley Glen, St Ives, Hirst Wood, Buck Wood, Esholt Woods, Gilstead Cragg, Chellow Dene, Ilkley Moor, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Five Rise Locks and River Aire. Denso Nature Reserve and Rodley Nature Reserve were also mentioned.

Green areas around Riddlesden Hall and Cliffe Castle at Keighley were also among readers’ favourite places to visit.

Baildon Moor with Shipley Glen in the background (Image: Newsquest)

Gwen Nightingale, assistant director of the Healthy Lives team at the Health Foundation, said studies show people living in areas with more access to green space tend to have better general health, mental wellbeing and higher life expectancies than those with limited access.

Defra's statistics also use other standards from Natural England to measure access to green space, which vary in distance and size.

In Bradford, 18 per cent of households meet the doorstep standard, meaning they have an accessible green space of at least 0.5 hectares within 200 metres.

Meanwhile, 12 per cent meet the local standard – a green space of at least two hectares within a five-minute walk from home.

And 56 per cent of households meet the neighbourhood standard, as they had a green space of at least 10 hectares within one kilometre or a 15-minute walk from home.