Family cycling trails - recommendations?

[Watchman]

I'm always looking for family-friendly routes to cycle. We look for routes that are away from roads, relatively flat, and where possible loop-back at different points to give a variety of lengths of ride. Our competences range from around 30 miles for me and my brother (he can go much further on his own but he also does road riding), to 15 miles for my 9yo son, 10 miles for the majority of the others, and some 5 or 6 miles for the teeny ones (like my 5yo daughter).

Last weekend I took my family to Sutton Park (North of Brum). This is perfect for the youngsters, as there's a playground and ice-cream shop where we can stop for a break.

Over the Easter weekend I'm going to try the family trail at the Forest of Dean which is more towards the mid-range but I may consider taking the Tag-Along if we're not confident my daughter will make it.

In the Summer, we're going to Devon so we're planning to ride the Tarka Trail as far as we can, and I still want to ride over the Barmouth Bridge in North Wales, and along trail that's on the side of the estuary.


Can you recommend any more of these type of rides please?

[Burrow01]

There are several routes in the area around Rutland Water that are good for families - Search for Rutland Cycling and Fineshade Woods (close by with several marked trails) and Wakerly Woods

[Bobley]

Peak District - Tissington Trail, Monsal etc

http://www.peakdistrictcycleways.co.uk/routes.php

[Watchman]

Thanks both. I rode the Tissington Trail many years ago - I recall there's a slight gradient for the outbound (from whichever car park we used), which makes for a fun return ride to the car.

Rutland - I hadn't realised it was family-friendly. I think I assumed it was marginally challenging. I'll give that a go too.

Many thanks.