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20 of the best family walks for the summer holidays

Blowout the cobwebs with a family ramble this summer and keep the kids entertained - Alamy
Blowout the cobwebs with a family ramble this summer and keep the kids entertained - Alamy

We love walking with the family. As it warms up a bit and nature starts coming back to life after the long winter months, there’s so much for the kids to explore and do. We started walking as a family early – and as a result our children are growing up with a sense of the amazing outdoor world and all it holds.

At this time of year the children love to play games spotting wildlife, and in the spring we all enjoy looking for new-born lambs as they start appearing across the countryside. We learn something new every time we go walking by challenging ourselves to identify different types of cloud, plants or animal tracks. Sometimes it can be fun to add a bit of adventure to the walk by letting the kids hold the map and lead the way. If we know we’re going to see something interesting along the way, we tell the children what to look out for and see who can spot it first. The kids also enjoy taking photos of their ‘discoveries’ and collecting ‘treasure’ in the form of different shaped leaves and interesting stones.

Walking with children isn’t without challenges. We try to have something up our sleeves to keep them entertained when energy levels start to drop – a kite if it’s windy, or a tennis ball for a game of catch. And a picnic or flask of hot chocolate is always a winner for when little legs start to flag.

Edinburgh, Union Canal

Length: 3.7 miles

Walking time: 2 hours

Starting point: Calder Road at Calder View, Edinburgh

Description: This pleasant walk along the Union Canal towpath is a family route for all seasons and weather conditions. The walk ends in Ratho village, home to the International Climbing Arena – in case you feel like going up, rather than along.

Top family tip: Imagine what it would have been like a 100 years ago when horses were walking these paths, pulling along the boats.

walkers on the Union Canal - Credit: Phil Seale/Alamy
Walkers on the Union Canal Credit: Phil Seale/Alamy

Derbyshire, National Forest

Length: 3.1 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Starting and finishing point: National Forest Youth Hostel

Description: This walk takes in a wide variety of landscapes and historic features; old rail tracks, a canal, a restored Napoleonic-period blast furnace, old lime kilns and reforested mining land.

Top family tip: Explore the warren of small paths through Furnace Plantation – it’s damp and gloomy, the perfect place to look for creatures.

Suffolk, Thornham Magna

Length: 3.1 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Four Horseshoes Pub, Thornham Magna

Description: A scenic, short, circular walk through farmland and parkland. The village takes you back in time – some houses are 600 years old. Look out for the oak beams, mud walls and straw-thatched roofs.

Top family tip: The pub at the start and finish of the walk is the oldest in Suffolk, dating from the 12th century. There is a park to play in next to the village hall.

Nottinghamshire, Sherwood Forest

Length: 3.7 miles

Walking time: 2 hours  

Starting and finishing point: Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre

Description: Re-tell the legend of Robin Hood on this walk. But as well as the woodscape of Little John, Friar Tuck and Russell Crowe, look out for woodlarks, hawfinches, nightjars, and marsh and willow tits.

Top family tip: See if you can find the Major Oak; it's thought to be between 800 and 1000 years old.

Sherwood Forest - Credit: Alamy
Bring Robin Hood to life in Sherwood Forest Credit: Alamy

Shropshire, Clun Mill

Length: 1.5 miles

Walking time: 45 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Clun Mill Youth Hostel

Description: A pleasant, short walk around the outskirts of Clun village, visiting the ruined castle, the ancient bridge, the church and the ford. The perfect walk for little legs, with lots to look out for along the way.

Top family tip: Use your imagination to conjure up images of what the castle would have looked like as you look over its ruins. There are rumours of spectres, and occasional ghost hunts!

East Sussex, Winchelsea and Rye

Length: 2 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting point: Rye station

Description: This linear ramble takes you along the cycle route from Rye to Winchelsea, with views of marshland to the south and hillside to the north. Time it right and you can catch the train back when you reach Winchelsea, adding to the adventure.

Top family tip: Visit the tomb of Spike Milligan, who is buried in Winchelsea churchyard, under a celebrated tombstone: “I told you I was ill”.

County Durham, Stanhope

Length: 1 mile

Walking time: 30 minutes

Starting and finishing point: The Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope

Description: This short walk from the Durham Dales Centre along the beautiful banks of the River Wear is suitable for pushchairs. With an abundance of nature to look out for and plenty of boats floating along the river, there’s plenty to keep youngsters entertained.

Top family tip: Look out for the stepping stones people use to cross the ford. And Stanhope is pronounced “Stannup”.

Bishop Auckland - Credit: Alamy
Picturesque Bishop Auckland in County Durham Credit: Alamy

Gloucestershire, Bourton-on-the-Water

Length: 2.5 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Starting and finishing point: The war memorial, Bourton-on-the-Water

Description: This short family walk has something for everybody to enjoy in this picturesque Cotswold village. You’ll head along riverside paths, over bridges, past lakes, a nature reserve and interesting buildings. As long as the weather is dry this route is buggy friendly.

Top family tip: A medieval “football” match is held in – rather than beside – the river in summer.

North Yorkshire, Osmotherley

Length: 1.9 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting and finishing point: Osmotherley Youth Hostel

Description: A beautiful short walk up through woods from the youth hostel, then around the small but perfectly formed Cod Beck Reservoir. Youngsters will love the stepping stones. There are no cod in the reservoir, but the banks are a celebrated haven for toads.

Top family tip: Have a look at the dam, and think about how and why this reservoir was made.

Cumbria, Keswick

Length: 2.3 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Keswick Youth Hostel

Description: This short walk provides a wonderful viewpoint over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. The route then takes you down to the lakeshore and returns across Crow Park.

Top family tip: There are 13 islands on the lake but only one is inhabited.

Derwentwater - Credit: Alamy
The views over Derwentwater Credit: Alamy

Glasgow

Length: 4 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 52 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Charing Cross Station, Glasgow

Description: An easy circular stroll through the city taking in places of worship, education and entertainment, with magnificent views along the river Clyde. Can you spot the Clydeport (aka Finnieston) crane?

Top family tip: Explore the quay and visit Glasgow Science Centre.

South Glamorgan, Dinas Powys & Michaelston Le Pit

Length: 2.6 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Mill Road, Dinas Powys

Description: An easy route to follow, along well-used paths through beautiful flower meadows and ancient woodland to pretty Michaelston Le Pit. There are three stiles for climbing, or there’s an alternative route.

Top family tip: Check out the spectacular Dinas Powys Hillfort.

River view - Credit: Alamy
The pretty views around Dinas Powys Credit: Alamy

Oxfordshire, Kirtlington

Length: 5 miles

Walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Starting and finishing point: North Green Kirtlington, Oxfordshire

Description: Explore the Oxfordshire Canal on this walk via Pigeons Lock and Enslow. Allow plenty of time to stop and search for fossils in Kirtlington Quarry.

Top family tip: See how a canal lock works at Pigeons Lock.

Anglesey, Maelog Lake

Length: 2.5 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting and finishing point: Along the A4080 adjacent to the Maelog Lake

Description: This route offers a variety of terrain including beach, sand dunes, boardwalk and field footpaths, giving it an expedition feel. As you walk around the lake there’s lots of wildlife to look out for, including  reedbed birds and wildfowl. If you’re walking during the winter months, get youngsters to look out for coots and golden plovers.

Top family tip: Bring your binoculars so you can spot the exciting wildlife as you head around the lake.

Derbyshire, Eyam

Length: 2.4 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting and finishing point: Eyam Youth Hostel, Hawkhill Road, Eyam

Description: This walk through the historic village of Eyam gives the whole family the chance to learn about how the Black Death of 1665 affected the area. You’ll also visit the Derbyshire Dals Nature Reserve.

Top family tip: Look out for several plague cottages on Church Street. Eyam Museum tells the story of how the village dealt with the Black Death.

Cumbria, Scandale and High Sweden Bridge

Length: 3 miles

Walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Starting and finishing point: Ambleside Post Office

Description: Although only short, this walk makes you feel like you’ve mounted an expedition and are deep in the countryside. As you stand at the head of the valley you’re bound to feel the remoteness associated with the fells.

Top family tip: Find the old pack horse bridge – over 250 years old.

Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes

Length: 1.6 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting and finishing point: Milton Keynes Youth Hostel

Description: A pleasant off-road walk through some woods – perfect for a spot of hide and seek – then alongside a stream and past the grounds of Bradwell Abbey.

Top family tip: Look out for the concrete cows!

cows - Credit: Robin Weaver/ Alamy
Concrete cows in Buckinghamshire Credit: Robin Weaver/ Alamy

County Durham, Auckland Castle & Park

Length: 2 miles

Walking time: 1 hour

Starting and finishing point: The Four Clocks Centre, Bishop Auckland

Description: This circular walk starts on Newgate Street and leads you through the Market Place to the wonderful grounds of Auckland Castle, which is bound to impress. Take some time to explore the history of this palace, former home to the Prince Bishops of Durham. This walk then incorporates the peaceful park within the castle grounds.

Top family tip: Discover the Deer House, built over 250 years ago to provide the park’s deer with shelter and food.

Bristol, Lawrence Weston

Length: 0.7 miles

Walking time:  25 minutes

Start and finish: Lawrence Weston Community Farm, Bristol

Description: An easy access walk  – suitable for wheelchairs as well as buggies, from the community farm along the cycle path. If you’ve got energy left, you can go further along the cycle path and return along the main road.

Top family tip: Meet the animals at the farm (pigs, ducks and chickens), and explore the secret garden and Water Vole Woodland Walk – they run special family activities like adventure trails and picnic parties through the Summer.

Cornwall, Saltash

Length: 4.1 miles

Walking time: 2 hours

Starting and finishing point: Latchbrook Cottages, Saltash

Description: Put on your wellies for this walk as there’s usually lots of mud to enjoy. You’ll walk along lanes, through meadows and woods and enjoy river views – all giving you some idea why Saltash has been voted the most desirable place to live in the UK. If you have time, stop to play poohsticks when you cross the stream.

Top family tip: Towards the end there is a boardwalk over a swamp – what lives in the swamp?

All of these walks are classified by the Ramblers Association as “easy”, ie suitable for children – though you might like to suit duration to age. They are suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. For route maps, descriptions and references, dates and contact details for organised walks, visit ramblers.org.uk/go-walking

This article was originally published in 2016