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