Family friendly cycle routes
Family cycle routes can be tricky to find. Parents are often on the lookout for trails that are either traffic-free or on quiet enough routes that they can let their children cycle safely. Add to this musts like level tracks for new riders, good road surfaces and amenities like shops, café's, and public toilets and you may be scratching your head wondering where to take the kids this weekend.
Don’t worry, we’ve sourced some of the most popular family cycle routes from around the country to give you an idea of what’s out there. So, what are you waiting for? Get that Pendle Bike Rack out and take to the road for your next adventure!
National Trust Trails
The National Trust operates across a lot of sites up and down the country. Many of these properties feature historic buildings and gardens, shops and café's; and of course meandering paths to cycle around. The National Trust site has created a great resource designed to tell you everything you need to know about their family cycle routes. One of our favourites is The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey.
The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey
The Tramway Trail is a shared cycle/walking route in the shape of a figure 8 that takes you through Calke Abbey, the old horse-drawn tramways, and even some spooky tunnels. The figure 8 route means you can shorten or extend the route as you see fit. Whether you want a quick 3.7-mile jaunt or a leisurely 6.3-mile route through some of the prettiest parts of Derbyshire, this trail is ideal for families with lots of different scenery to keep the whole family entertained.
The Woodland Trail at Kingston Lacy
The Woodland Trail at Kingston Lacy in Dorset is a contained route within the Kingston Lacy estate. This track is great for families with young children as it is completely within the bounds of the property and requires no public road riding. This route is popular with walkers and cyclists alike as it travels through old carriage drives, ancient woodlands and regal gardens. You may even spot some of the local Red Ruby cattle that graze on the property; and when you need a break you can set up a picnic or try the café while the little ones go wild at the Woodland Play Area.
We also recommend travelling to your chosen bike trail destination safely. To this end, we offer a wide range of trusted bike racks and trailers to protect you, your family, and your vehicle on the road. Our bike racks are made from strong steel and come in various sizes to fit vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
For larger groups, we also have family and professional bike trailers that carry between 6 and 12 bikes. Contact our friendly team to find out what bike rack or trailer works for your needs or take a look at our online store to find your perfect fit.
Independent Routes
The Camel Trail in Cornwall
The Camel Trail is a cycleway in Cornwall that winds its way from Padstow through to Wadebridge, terminating at the Bodmin Moor. This trail is largely traffic-free and makes use of a disused rail line to connect the attractions on this 18-mile cycle route.
We recommend taking the family on this trail once they are more familiar with cycling. This long route is surfaced and relatively level throughout but as it moves through several villages there will be areas where you will need to negotiate traffic.
With that said, the majority of this route is made up of some of the most beautiful areas in the South West including nearby beaches, the Camel Estuary and the Camel Valley. You’ll also find plenty of places to rest and have a bite to eat with inviting shops, pubs, and café's in Padstow, Wadebridge, and Bodmin offering you respite. You can find out more about this incredible route here.
Spen Valley Greenway in the Yorkshire Countryside
The Spen Valley Greenway in the Yorkshire countryside is a green corridor packed with wildlife, moor views and public art. A green corridor, sometimes referred to as a wildlife corridor, is land reserved to connect several natural habitats. Many ecosystems can be separated by towns, roads, and other human developments. Green corridors are a way to connect these ecosystems allowing animals like hedgehogs, deer, and birds the ability to move between areas without the threat of human interference.
The Spen Valley Greenway has a surfaced cycle track to allow you to enjoy this peaceful natural environment without disrupting the natural migrations of wildlife. Riders on this trail can see a wealth of interesting flora and fauna taking in a wildlife reserve, golf course, views over the moors; and villages like Dewsbury and Oakenshaw. This route is also renowned as an Art Trail featuring public sculptures and murals. Sally Matthew’s flock of Swaledale Sheep is one of the more eye-catching exhibits with sheep made from recycled industrial scrap set up on the sides of the trail.
All in all this trail is 7 miles long and takes approximately 35 minutes to cycle or just under two and a half hours to walk. Once you’re done with the trail why not rest your weary bones in Dewsbury or Oakenshaw at one of the popular restaurants or café’s.
We hope these routes have given you an idea of what’s out there to explore. Try one of these or any other family cycle routes the next time you have a weekend free and you’ll find a new hobby that the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re looking for a bike rack or trailer to safely carry your bikes on a road trip to one of these destinations then trust your safety with us. Pendle bike racks are built to last, whether roof, rear-mounted, or bike trailers, we have engineered modern bike storage systems designed to keep you, your family, and your bike safe on the road. You can find out more about our bike racks by heading to the store or contacting us directly.