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Great places for a family bike ride

A family of four cycling along the loughside trail at Castle Ward, County Down
A family cycling on the loughside trail at Castle Ward, County Down | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Head outdoors and explore expansive parkland and woods with your family by bike. While the kids pedal away, you can enjoy the wide open spaces and immerse yourself in nature.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk
The multi-use trail at Blickling in Norfolk offers a 4-mile path through the historic park. It’s tailored to families to explore, but it’s also suitable for any cyclists, walkers, runners and adapted wheelchair users.Cycling at Blickling Estate
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Look out for the Tramway Trail, a figure-of-eight route with an energetic 10km or 6km option. Cyclists and walkers share the varied trail, which has plenty of interest along the way, including several tunnels.Cycling at Calke Abbey
Castle Ward, County Down
Bring the whole family to explore 34km of trails around the estate grounds. Check out the wildlife by the shore, borrow a balance bike from reception and visit the historical grounds of Audley's Castle.Cycling at Castle Ward
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Hire a range of bikes at Clumber Park's Cycling Hub, including balance bikes and smaller bikes for the kids. The parkland and woodland are great to explore on two wheels with more than 20 miles of trails to try out.Cycling at Clumber Park
Dudmaston, Shropshire
Follow the Comer Woods Explorer Trail on the Dudmaston Estate – an easy option for families at more than 2 miles long. Pass by ancient trees and an expansive meadow, home to the UK’s northernmost population of the white admiral butterfly.Cycling at Dudmaston
A father on a bicycle with two children on scooters on a trail through autumnal woods
A family bike and scooter ride in autumn at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Ickworth, Suffolk
Make a beeline for the cycle hire hub in the car park to find a variety of bikes for all ages, including trailers and balance bikes, so the whole family can spend a day out in the parkland. The cycle hire hub is open Thursday to Sunday from 2 March to 29 October 2023 (daily in school holidays).Cycling at Ickworth
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Take the woodland trails on the estate and explore peaceful forest and old carriage drives that were created by the Bankes family. The flat route is accessible for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and abilities.Cycling at Kingston Lacy
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Whatever your cycling experience, there’s a trail to suit the whole family. Take rides through woodland and choose from a range of flat or hillier routes, plus a skills area and balance bike track. You can also hire bikes at the cycle hire centre.Cycling at Lanhydrock
Mottisfont Estate, Hampshire
Visit nearby Spearywell Woods to explore the Mottisfont estate by bike. Just a five-minute drive from the gardens, you’ll find interconnecting cycle routes, offering a choice of distance and duration. It's family-friendly, mostly off-road and largely flat. We advise bringing mountain bikes.Cycling at Mottisfont
Nostell, Yorkshire
Discover hidden corners of Nostell on the easy Woodland Cycle Trail. Two 1km cycle-only trails form part of a figure-of-eight loop, designed with families in mind. One trail is suitable for young children and the other has a few more twists and turns.Cycling at Nostell
An adult and two children cycling on the estate at Blickling, Norfolk
Cycling on the estate at Blickling, Norfolk | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Osterley Park, London
Take a cycle or walk around the perimeter of Osterley Park. The multi-use trail is great in all weather and takes you through woods and open land, with a hard surface all the way round. It's suitable for walkers, pushchairs, wheelchair users and cyclists alike.Cycling at Osterley Park
Wallington, Northumberland
Explore the wider Wallington estate on the Dragon Cycle Trail. Pedal across Broom House Farm’s fields, whizz through the woods and take in far-reaching views across Northumberland.Cycling at Wallington
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Discover the beauty of the Cambridgeshire fens on a 13km cycle ride from Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey. Hire a bike on arrival and explore one of Europe’s most important wetlands. If you’re a beginner, you can pick and choose how long you stay on the trail for. Cycle hire is available from April to 29 October 2023.Cycling at Wicken Fen
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Explore the Wimpole Estate whatever the season thanks to the all-weather surface on the multi-use trail. It's intended for walkers, runners, cyclists and adapted wheelchair users, so everyone can get active in the outdoors. Head through parkland, woodland and farmland on this 5.5-mile circular route.Cycling at Wimpole
A man and child explore the ruins of Fountains Abbey. The man is holding the little girl as they look up at the stone walls of the abbey.

Enjoy some family fun

Looking for places the whole family will enjoy? Discover family-friendly cycling trails, places to get closer to nature and historic buildings where you can learn about the past.

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