Pugneys Country Park is a 250-acre (1.0 km2) park located on the A636 between Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England and Junction 39 of the M1 motorway. It is a Local Nature Reserve.[1][2]
The area was developed from a former opencast mine and a sand and gravel quarry and was opened to the public in 1985. It is overlooked by Sandal Castle.
The park comprises two lakes, Both lakes are now dedicated as a nature reserve.[3]
A 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway, running round part of the larger lake, operates on weekends and bank holidays, and cafeteria facilities are available.
The nature reserve is home to a large flock of non-breeding swans, with up to 100 in residence at any time.
The lakes serve as a flood defence by providing an overflow from the River Calder.
- ^ "Pugneys Country Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ "Map of Pugneys Country Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ Gardner, Tony (22 June 2023). "Pugneys: Watersports to be 'scaled down' at Yorkshire country park and visitor reception closed to prioritise wildlife". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 7 August 2023.