Looking for a fun, free, and screen-free way to enjoy the great outdoors with the kids? You can’t beat a good walk. Not just any walk though—one that ends with an ice cream, or a café, or a pub, involves a bit of wildlife spotting, and doesn’t result in piggyback requests after ten minutes.
If that sounds like your idea of a good day out, you’re in the right place. I’ve rounded up some of the best family-friendly hiking trails in the UK—perfect for all ages, pram-friendly in places, and full of scenery, fresh air and adventure.
🌲 What Makes a Hike Family-Friendly?
Not all trails are created equal. A good family route ticks a few boxes:
- Easy to moderate terrain
- Loop routes (less “Are we nearly there yet?”)
- Interesting sights along the way (animals, waterfalls, castles…)
- Toilets and a café nearby are always a bonus!
🥾 Top Family-Friendly Hiking Trails in the UK
1. Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Surrey
📍 South East England
⏱️ 2 miles | 🧒 Age 3+
This circular trail is a brilliant mix of forest walking and natural play areas, with balancing beams, stepping stones, and logs to clamber over. There’s a café at the top and stunning views of the Surrey Hills.
2. Tarn Hows, Lake District
📍 Cumbria
⏱️ 1.8 miles | 🚶 Pram-friendly loop
A beautiful and relatively flat route around a lake, ideal for little legs and buggies. Expect picture-postcard views and plenty of ducks. Parking and toilets available.
3. Fairy Glen, Betws-y-Coed
📍 North Wales
⏱️ 1.5 miles | 🧚♀️ Best for age 5+
A magical woodland walk with fairy-tale vibes, mossy rocks and a bubbling stream. Great for kids with imaginations—and the walk is short but packed with wow-factor.
4. Jeskyns Community Woodland, Kent
📍 South East England
⏱️ Flexible distances | 🐶 Dog-friendly
This huge green space has a Gruffalo Trail, accessible paths, woodland walks and even a café. Ideal for families with a range of ages and energy levels.
5. West Highland Way (Section: Balmaha to Conic Hill), Scotland
📍 Stirlingshire
⏱️ 2.5 miles (to the viewpoint) | ⛰️ For confident walkers
Not the full West Highland Way, of course—but this shorter section gives you brilliant views and a mini-adventure feel. Pack snacks and a change of socks!
6. Flatford Mill, Suffolk
📍 East of England
⏱️ 2 miles | 🌼 Nature-rich stroll
Walk through Constable Country with riverside paths, cows in the meadows, and interactive nature stations in summer. Ideal for buggy pushers and picnic lovers.
7. Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
📍 East Midlands
⏱️ Flexible routes | 🚴 Bikes welcome
This National Trust site offers a mix of flat trails, woods, lakes and gardens. Bring scooters or hire bikes and enjoy a full day outdoors. Bonus: there’s an ice cream parlour.
8. Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland
📍 County Down
⏱️ 3-mile loop | 🏰 Fantasy feel
With stepping stones, stone bridges and gothic arches, this park feels like a movie set. Oh wait—it was! (Game of Thrones, anyone?) Great for adventurous walkers.
9. Gwithian Towans to Godrevy Head, Cornwall
📍 South West England
⏱️ 3 miles return | 🏖️ Coastal magic
This clifftop path has stunning sea views and, if you’re lucky, seals! Family-friendly and dog-friendly with plenty of beach fun nearby.
10. Giant’s Causeway Green Trail
📍 County Antrim, NI
⏱️ 1.5 miles | 🌍 UNESCO fun
A flatter, accessible route to Northern Ireland’s most iconic natural wonder. Ideal for kids who love geology—or just clambering on hexagonal rocks.
🎒 Hiking Tips for Families
- Pack layers, even in summer—UK weather loves a surprise.
- Take plenty of water and high-energy snacks (bribes are useful).
- Download a map or use an app like AllTrails.
- Make it fun: bring binoculars, a nature-spotting sheet, or turn it into a mini treasure hunt.
- Don’t be afraid to turn back if tired legs kick in—it’s meant to be enjoyable!
Final Thoughts
You don’t need expensive gear or mountaineering skills to enjoy family-friendly hiking trails in the UK. With a bit of planning and a good picnic, you can turn a simple walk into an adventure that your kids will talk about for weeks (especially if it involves mud or cake at the end).
Get those boots on, grab a backpack, and go make some wild and wonderful memories.
