8 Family-Friendly Trails Walking Holidays in the UK

Family holidays can make a difference and therefore you need to plan a holiday that has something for everyone in the family.

Walking holidays can be so much if you do it the right way. It allows you to get out of your house and explore nature around. Also, you get the opportunity to explore the local flora and fauna with your family. As you walk the trails you also learn the history of the place and you can decide how fast or slow you want to go.

If you are not looking for extreme adventure activities, walking holidays sound like a great choice where you do not have to acquire any skills. However, planning is critical to make your walking holiday a success. Hence, you can either plan your itinerary or let experts like Mickledore make arrangements to help you create a memorable walking holiday experience with your loved ones.

Let’s take a quick look at 10 family-friendly trails in the UK for walking holidays.

Vale of Lorton

One of the reasons why many families choose walking holidays is because they want to escape their chaotic routine. Vale of Lorton is one of the most family-friendly trails that you can enjoy in the UK. This 45 km (28 miles) circular trail ensures that you can enjoy your trip and experience Britain differently in 2024.

The path of this trail begins and ends in Keswick and it is a well-marked trail making it easier even for the first timers. Unlike other challenging trails in the UK, this one remains flat throughout and that means less strain on your feet.

In terms of scenery and landscape, Vale of Lorton snakes through various county lanes, farmlands and open scenic views that would enhance your holiday experiences.

Cotswold Round

Another circular trail that you can try for your family walking holidays is Cotswold Round. Like Vale of Lorton, this one starts and ends at the same place in Cheltenham or in Moreton-in-Marsh.

This allows you to decide what place you would want to choose for your start and end points. The route takes you through quintessential English landscapes which include verdant pastures, historical landmarks, ancient ruins and quaint villages.

This 95 km (59 miles) family-friendly trail can take a week to complete the entire path. However, with an amazing landscape and moderate difficulty level, you can complete this one with ease.

The Ridgeway

Running from Overton Hill to Ivinghoe Beacon, The Ridgeway is also one of the popular choices for families who want to head outdoors for a walking holiday. This one is perfect for first-timers who want to optimize their walking trip but at the same time ensure easy-to-walk paths.

The entire trail covers 147 km (87 miles) and passes through some of the greenest counties in England. Hence, this would be a perfect trip for nature lovers and history buffs and for those who walk for health benefits.

The Ridgeway is also one of the oldest routes in Britain and hence you will come across various historic sites as you walk the trail.

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

When you are heading out with your family you want to focus on the weather as well. The Isle of Wight is known for its sunny weather. This means that a walking holiday here assures you of reliable sunny weather to make your walking trip a success.

With plenty of cool sea breeze to keep you relaxed, you can make the most of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. This is a smaller walking path with only 53 km (33 miles) to cover. This family-friendly trail is ideal for extended weekend holidays.

The trail begins in Cowes and takes you through numerous lighthouses, historic sites and quaint villages. As you explore the island on foot you can also come across rich cliffs and quarries for dinosaur fossils.

Dales Way

If you are looking for an easy to moderate walking trail that can allow you to spend quality time with your family you can choose the Dales Way. The trail begins in Ilkley and ends in Bowness on Windermere and runs parallel to the Rivers Dee and Wharfe.

This ensures that you can have excellent scenic views as you walk through quaint villages, hamlets and various isolated farm areas.

You can enjoy the gentle terrain and the breathtaking scenery that the trail has to offer. The path also crosses through the famous Yorkshire Dales National Park which ensures that you can walk through some of the most serene places in the region.

Hadrian’s Wall Walk

One of the most popular family-friendly trails in the UK that you can try with your family is Hadrian’s Wall trail. This is one of the easiest and most well-marked trails that runs parallel to Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument. This path is ideal for those who love history and nature.

The path cuts through England and therefore you can walk from coast to coast while soaking up the stunning scenery that it has to offer. The path begins in Wallsend and ends in Carlisle. Being a popular walking trail in the UK you can come across many bed and breakfast establishments, pubs and towns.

This is where you can take a break while you cover this 138 km (86 miles) long path. Also, when you are walking such long distances you need to choose the right backpack to help you carry your things as you walk.

Northumberland Coast Path

If you are looking for coastal walking trails that offer you some cool sea breeze and panoramic views of the Northumberland coastline you should opt for the Northumberland Coast Path.
While the trail is 102 km (64 miles) the easy-to-walk terrain makes the experience better. Also, with reliable and breezy weather you can enjoy the tour when you have your family members around.

The trail also crosses through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty offering nature and wildlife lovers amazing views of the landscape and bird species. Also, the path is mainly flat and therefore you do not have to worry about exerting yourself.

Gower Peninsula

If you love beaches, the Gower Peninsula trail is one of the best ones that can offer you amazing landscapes in Wales. This family-friendly trail initiates in the village of Pen-Clawdd and ends in Mumbles near Swansea Bay.

This path takes you through some of the most unspoiled coastal scenery making your family holidays memorable. The terrain is relatively easy and therefore you do not need extensive training to cover this trail.

Gower Peninsula was designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and therefore you can find diverse landscape and wildlife here. If you are planning to take this route carry your binoculars as you can find many bird species that you can sight on your way.