Pugneys Country Park

About

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. 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, which are both dedicated as a nature reserve. 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 park is now managed as a countryside site by Wakefield Council, with water sports and fishing no longer permitted. The lakes serve as a flood defence by providing an overflow from the River Calder.