{"id":16790,"date":"2022-05-30T13:21:47","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T11:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=53115"},"modified":"2022-05-30T13:46:20","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T11:46:20","slug":"best-family-friendly-bike-rides-in-britain","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/best-family-friendly-bike-rides-in-britain\/","title":{"rendered":"Best family friendly bike rides in Britain"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 30 May 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The British countryside is filled with miles of old railway lines, canal towpaths and quiet country tracks \u2013 all perfect of family friendly cycling.<\/p>\n

Spring and summer are ideal for cycling as a family, when the days are lengthening for long, slow adventures and the weather is kind enough so as not to discourage a herd of furiously pedalling kids. But bike rides can also be great in autumn and winter \u2013 just don\u2019t forget to pack your waterproofs.<\/p>\n

We take a look as some of the best family friendly bike rides in the UK, each flat, largely off-road and with plenty of entertainment for kids along the way.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to cycling and want to try out these easy UK cycling routes, check out our beginner\u2019s guide to cycling and how to choose a suitable bike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Forest of Dean is a favourite for family bike rides\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

What is a family friendly cycling route?<\/h2>\n

For extra encouragement, a flat, easy towpath or old railway track make the perfect cycle lanes. Take it slow, give pedestrians right of way and be prepared to get off your bike if needed. Using your bell to let walkers know you\u2019re approaching from behind is always helpful.<\/p>\n

Best family friendly bike rides in the UK<\/h2>\n

Tissington Trail, Derbyshire<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The crushed-limestone surface of the Tissington Trail makes for easy cycling, allowing you to soak up far-reaching views across the southern Peak District\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Flying along the first miles of the level Tissington Trail<\/a>, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking you were cycling on the roof of the world, the White Peak plateau rippling out to a distant horizon. It\u2019s easy to see why this heart-soaring landscape of upland, wood and dale was chosen as Britain\u2019s first national park.<\/p>\n

Take a nostalgic ride through the high hills and lush valleys of the Derbyshire Dales.<\/p>\n

Follow our Tissington Trail bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cycle the Solar System, North Yorkshire<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cycle the Solar System bike ride, York\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Cycle the Solar System<\/a> trail from York to Selby takes you through a scale model of the solar system, at a ratio of 575,872,239 to one. Taking this unimaginable scale into account, it means cyclists typically move along the trail at 10 times the speed of light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow our York to Selby Cycle the Solar System bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cuckoo Trail, Sussex<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cycling on the Cuckoo Trail in Sussex\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Had you attended the Heathfield Fair in days of yore, you\u2019d have witnessed the old Sussex tradition of releasing a single cuckoo<\/a>. Today, that custom is recalled in the name of a fetching cycle path, 11 miles of which lie along the former \u2018Cuckoo Line\u2019 railway between Heathfield and Polegate<\/p>\n

The Cuckoo Trail<\/a> is best explored in mid-spring and summer, when its broad, bushy verges billow with wildflowers and its overhanging woodland canopies resound with birdsong.<\/p>\n

Follow our Cuckoo Trail bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Kelpies, Stirlingshire<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Kelpies mark the easternmost point of the 35-mile long Forth and Clyde Canal\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The largest equine sculptures in the world set the stage for a meandering canal-side cycle \u2013 listen closely and you can almost hear the hoofs that once trod these historic banks.<\/p>\n

The Kelpies are part of The Helix ecopark, and stand next to an adventure playground and a trail network that\u2019s ideal\u00a0for family cycling. Paved cyclepaths offer easy riding on this flat cycling circuit from The Kelpies<\/a> visitor centre and caf\u00e9. These lead through Abbotshaugh Community Woodland, a young, native mixed woodland that is idyllic on a sunny spring day. The way follows the River Carron and the Forth and Clyde Canal, which spills into the river at\u00a0The Kelpies close to the Firth\u00a0of Forth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow our Kelpies, Stirlingshire bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos to Pensarn, Conwy<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
St Trillo\u2019s Chapel in Rhos-on-Sea Conwy North Wales UK\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Britain\u2019s smallest church<\/a> \u2013 St Trillo\u2019s \u2013 while not unlike a Galician chapel on the road to Santiago, is found on the seafront at Llandrillo-yn-Rhos. Inside is a holy well, said to have refreshed Christians for some 1,500 years. An appropriate place, perhaps, to begin a cycling route from\u00a0Llandrillo-yn-Rhos to Pensarn<\/a>\u00a0that offers plenty of exercise to a curious mind, even though the cycling is easy.<\/p>\n

Follow our Llandrillo-yn-Rhos to Pensarn bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Reculver to Margate, Kent<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The ruins of an early Roman fort \u2013 built to defend Saxon raids \u2013 are still visible next to the imposing twin towers of Reculver church\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Named after the voyage of the reconstructed Viking longship \u2013 the Hugin \u2013 that sailed from Denmark to Thanet in 1949, the 31.5-mile Viking Coastal Trail<\/a> opened in 2001.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For easy cycling<\/a>, the nine-mile stretch of the trail between Reculver and Margate<\/a> is perfect; it\u2019s the flattest section and almost completely traffic-free. You won\u2019t go hungry either, with caf\u00e9s, kiosks and pubs (plus public toilets) en route.<\/p>\n

Follow our Viking Coastal Trail bike route and map from Reculver to Margate<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Llangynidr to Pencelli, Monmouthshire<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
If you have time, park your bikes at Talybont-on Usk, cross the stone bridge beside the White Hart Inn and walk a section of the Brinore Tramroad, another relic of the industrial era\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This there-and-back route along the Mon and Brec Canal<\/a> starts and ends in Llangynidr, where the mountain-fresh Usk tumbles beneath an 18th-century stone bridge. In this pretty canal-side village you\u2019ll find narrowboats for hire, public toilets and a welcoming real ale pub, The Red Lion.<\/p>\n

Follow our Mon and Brec Canal bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Great Cumbrae, Ayrshire<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
White Bay on Great Cumbrae\/Credit: Paul Kirkwood<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As family bike rides go, Great Cumbrae<\/a> (also known as the Isle of Cumbrae) takes some beating. A very quiet and flat 10-mile road hugs the island\u2019s coastline, giving both children and adults a frisson of achievement as they complete the circuit.<\/p>\n

Follow our Great Cumbrae bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Exe Estuary Trail, Devon<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sea fog and sunrise over the Exe estuary in Devon\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Depart the cathedral city of Exeter and follow one of the oldest surviving canals in Britain, taking in Devon\u2019s premier wetland.\u00a0Flat, mostly off-road and with the option of returning by train, the Exe Estuary Trail<\/a> route makes the perfect family cycle ride.<\/p>\n

Follow our Exe Estuary Trail bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crinan Canal, Argyll and Bute<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A Sailing vessel approaching one of the locks on Crinan Canal at Cairnbaan in Argyll and Bute\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The most glorious cycling routes are often found beside waterways \u2013 gentle rivers, placid lakes, remote reservoirs and, of course, along countryside canals.<\/p>\n

One of the finest cycles in Britain follows the Crinan Canal<\/a>, once an important shipping shortcut on the west coast of Scotland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow our Crinan Canal bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check out our list of the best canal and riverside pubs in Britain<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Elan Valley Trail, Powys<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Enjoy a warm sunny day cycling around Elan Valley Reservoirs\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Discover tranquillity amid the drama of Elan Valley by bike<\/a>, a landscape of shimmering reservoirs, gushing rivers and wooded slopes that ring with birdsong.<\/p>\n

Follow our Elan Valley Trail bike route and map<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related articles<\/p>\n