The best UK family cycle routes by team Frog

11 October 2021

The best UK family cycle routes by team Frog


Going on a bike ride with the family can be great fun, but finding interesting routes that are child friendly and pique the kids’ interest can be somewhat challenging.


We asked the team at Frog to share with us their best family-friendly cycling routes across the UK, here are some of our favourites:


WEST GLAMORGAN



Photo attribution: Robert Cuthill / Blackpill Beach close to the Clyne River Mouth


ROUTE:Gower Road to Blackpill (Start at Olchfa Lane)
LOCATION:Blackpill, West Glamorgan, Wales
DISTANCE:3 miles
THINGS OF INTEREST:Woodland through the Clyne Valley
Lots of wildlife
Horses sometimes can be seen along the route
Blackpill children’s lido and cafe
The beach


Ian Thomas, Frog Bikes Decarbonisation Project Manager commented “We really like this cycle route as it is serene, picturesque and has lots to look at. It’s a great place to enjoy nature walks and cycling with its recently tarmacked ground. Along the route, it has the beach and a lido, perfect for a mid-ride paddle, so be sure to take your swimsuits! And you can stop for snacks at The Junction cafe.”



MONMOUTHSHIRE



Photo attribution: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk (main) and Rebecca Evans (left/overlay).


ROUTE:Llanhilleth Train Station to Abertillery Park, Route 465
LOCATION:Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Wales
DISTANCE:10 miles
THINGS OF INTEREST:Woodland through the Clyne Valley
Scenic routes alongside rivers
Beautiful wooded valley
Wild strawberries in Summertime
Natural beauty and rare wildlife
The Guardian statue mining memorial


Rebecca Evans, Frog Bikes Customer Service Coordinator, commented “This cycle route is largely traffic-free on smooth tarmacked roads and provides lots to look at, including woodlands, rivers, wildlife and the Guardian miners memorial.”



SOMERSET



Photo attribution: www.thestrawberryline.org.uk


ROUTE:Strawberry Line
LOCATION:Yatton to Cheddar, Somerset, UK
DISTANCE:Approximately 10 miles, part of route 26 of NCN
THINGS OF INTEREST:Old railway line
Mendip Hills
Cheddar Gorge
Wildlife rich wetlands including otters, toads & newts
Many varieties of butterflies, birds and bats
Sandford Orchards and Thatchers Cider Mill
Shute Shelve tunnel (165m long)
King Johns Hunting Lodge, which houses the town museum
Cafe at Yatton Station


Graham Donald, Frog Bikes Head of Operations, commented “The Strawberry Line is great for family cycling as most of the route is traffic-free as it is part of an old railway line. It offers mostly flat gravel or tarmac terrain and has some really interesting places to visit along the way.”



HAMPSHIRE



Photo attribution: Dr Neil Clifton / Woodham Lock No 5, Basingstoke Canal


ROUTE:Basingstoke Canal
LOCATION:Greywell, Hampshire to Woodham, Surrey, UK
DISTANCE:32 miles
THINGS OF INTEREST:Parks and playgrounds along the route
Mendip Hills
Woodland and wildlife
Canal, locks, bridges and ponds
Cafe and boat hire at Mychett


Taberna Sansom, Frog Bikes Social Media & Communications Executive, commented "It's a great route to enjoy nature walks and cycling. Surrounded by rolling fields and woodland, it’s a pretty, serene place to visit for all the family.”



SURREY



Photo attribution: Derek Harper / Adam's Pond, Richmond Park


ROUTE:Richmond Park
LOCATION:Richmond, Surrey, UK
DISTANCE:7-mile loop of the park
THINGS OF INTEREST:Look out for the deer, ponds and the ballet school
Rare wildlife species and ancient trees
Cafes & tea room in the park
Distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound
Gated children’s playgrounds
Richmond Town nearby


Freya Harrison, Frog Bikes Partnership Manager, said “Richmond Park is a cyclists paradise near London! It’s officially a National Nature Reserve, covering 2500 acres. It is great for all abilities offering gravel and paved terrain and lots of beautiful scenery, and as half of the park is closed to traffic at the weekend, it's a good time to visit.”



SURREY / BERKSHIRE BORDER



Photo attribution: (Left) www.windsor-berkshire.co.uk & (Right) Shelley Lawson


ROUTE:Windsor Great Park
LOCATION:Up to a 10-mile circuit, part of route 4 of NCN
DISTANCE:Up to a 10-mile circuit, part of route 4 of NCN
THINGS OF INTEREST:Amazing views of Windsor Castle
Enclosed deer park
Polo at Guards Polo Club
Small woods and ancient oak trees
Historic monuments
Several ponds and lakes with herons, swans, geese & ducks
On a clear day, you can see the Shard & London Skyline from the Copper Horse monument
Refreshments & ice-cream stands


Shelley Lawson, Co-founder of Frog Bikes, commented “Windsor Great Park is scenic and virtually traffic-free, offering some fun hills for speedwork, and plenty of opportunities to stop for an ice cream and admire the views.”



BERKSHIRE



Photo attribution: Diane Sambrook / Track through Swinley Forest


ROUTE:Swinley Forest
LOCATION:Bracknell, Berkshire, UK
DISTANCE:15-mile cycle network
THINGS OF INTEREST: Mountain bike trails for all abilities
Green, blue & red trails
Wide forest tracks for more leisurely rides
The LookOut Discovery centre
Go Ape Treetop Adventures & Segways
Coral Reef Leisure Centre
Kids playground and family cafe


Scott Johnson, Frog Bikes Supply Chain Manager, commented “Swinley Forest offers plenty of route options and many activities beyond cycling for the family to do. Because of the large cycle network throughout the forest, it’s easy to adapt routes and make rides as long or as short as you’d like.”



CUMBRIA



Photo attribution: National Trust


ROUTE:Western shore of Lake Windermere
LOCATION:Lake District, Cumbria
DISTANCE:4.5 miles
THINGS OF INTEREST: Beautiful views of Lake Windermere
Steep flanks of Claife Heights
Claife viewing station
Mature woodland
Open fields
Dowerhouse Gatehouse
Bike Boat at Wray Jetty
Wray Castle
Cafes and toilets


Jim Whitehead, Frog Bikes European Sales Manager, commented “Lake Windermere is a beautiful location to cycle. This route is on a gravel track so is a good introduction to off-road riding for new cyclists and it’s traffic-free. And with the unrivalled views across the Lake and Wray Castle as the perfect stop-off point for your journey, it doesn’t get much better than this!”



DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY



Photo attribution: © James Bell & licensed for reuse under this Licence (left). Val Benyon (right/overlay)


ROUTE:Carrick Shore (or Carrick Bay)
LOCATION:Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
DISTANCE:10 miles
THINGS OF INTEREST: Sandy beach
Knockbrex Castle
Beautiful countryside
Farm activities
Pond dipping
Crabbing in rock pools
Ice cream at Cream o’Galloway
Ardwall Island


Val Benyon, Frog Bikes Head of Marketing, commented “There are so many beautiful things to see and explore on this route and fantastic activities for children to connect with nature. We have always loved looking for crabs in the rockpools, cooking sausages on the beach and of course, eating ice cream at Cream O'Galloway. Our 'kids' still enjoy this trip - even though they are grown-ups now! If the tide is out at Carrick Shore, you can walk across to Ardwall Island - check tide times before you do though - it is uninhabited and you don't want to get stuck!”


GOT A FAVOURITE CYCLE ROUTE?

We always love to hear about new family-friendly cycle routes, so do share them with us at marketing@frogbikes.com


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