When you are planning a family holiday, you need to focus on how you can spend more quality time together while exploring the outdoors. Walking holidays are unique in their ways because you do not have to acquire any skills, and you can decide how much you want to walk and spend time with your family accordingly.
If you are going to spend time in the UK, you can browse through the list of walking trails that would allow you to explore the lush outdoors, historic sites, and quaint rural areas. This allows you to stay fit and enjoy an immersive natural experience. However, if you have never done a walking tour before, you can hire experts like Mickledore to make arrangements and provide you with a service to ensure a memorable walking holiday with your family.
Here are 10 family-friendly walking holidays in the UK you can choose from
The Ridgeway
If you are planning to see things differently in Britain in 2024, you can choose a family-friendly walking holiday to make a difference. The Ridgeway National Trail is one of the easiest ones that you can choose. This is ideal for those who have never tried a walking tour before. The entire trail runs 147 km (87 miles) and begins in Avebury, finishing in Ivinghoe Beacon. If you are a nature person, you would pass through some of the greenest counties in England, exploring the natural flora and fauna. The Ridgeway is also one of the oldest roads in Britain, so you will also find plenty of historic sites as you walk the trail.
Cotswold Round
As the name suggests, Cotswold Round is a great choice for those who prefer to end their trip exactly where they started. Hence, you can either choose to start and end the walking tour in Cheltenham or Moreton-in-Marsh, where the former is the longer of the two. However, in both cases, you get to explore similar landscapes and walk through the same picturesque towns and villages. This is a great family-friendly walking holiday, especially if you do not want to try something exhaustive. With the total trail running 95 km (59 miles), you can enjoy the walk with your family and explore England’s natural landscapes.
Isle of Wight Coastal Path
Walking the coastal path with family members would be a great holiday experience. If you and your family members love the cool sea breeze, the Isle of Wight Coastal Path would be the right path to choose. The best part about this walking path is that you walk through some of the sunniest places in the UK. This means you have reliable weather on your side. With only 53 km (33 miles) to walk, this is one of the shortest walking holidays. The path begins in Cowes and passes through various historic sites, villages, and lighthouses. However, you must make sure that you pack right for a walking holiday especially when it is sunny.
Vale of Lorton
One of the family-friendly walking holidays in the UK is the Vale of Lorton. If you are looking to explore a quiet place where you can explore nature at its best, you can choose this path. This round path is approximately 45 km (28 miles) and begins and ends in Keswick. Also, if you prefer a trail where the path remains relatively flat, you should choose the Vale of Lorton. With spectacular scenery and plenty of easy country lanes, you can have a fun walking holiday with your loved ones.
Gower Peninsula
If you are exploring Wales, the Gower Peninsula is one of the most preferable walking holidays. This family-friendly walking holiday begins in the village of Pen-Clawdd and ends in Mumbles, near Swansea Bay. With spectacular landscapes and easy-to-walk terrain, Gower Peninsula is ideal for those who want to spend time with their loved ones and enjoy the coastline views. If you are into birds, you can always carry binoculars for bird watching, as you can find many species down the road. You should read more walking holiday advice and recommendations to help you make the most of these trips.
Dales Way
Cutting across the popular Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Dales Way is an interesting choice for families choosing walking holidays. The path begins in Ilkley and ends in Bowness on Windermere. The path runs parallel to the river and you walk through ample villages, hamlets and isolated field barns. This is a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy the natural beauty of England. As you walk through the lush nature, you can spot many attractive birds and animals that reside here. Hence, this can be a nice and pleasant walking holiday you can choose from.
Hadrian’s Wall Walk
One of the most popular walking holidays in the UK is Hadrian’s Wall Walk. This 138-kilometer (86-mile) path runs parallel to Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument. If you are someone who loves to explore history and various historic sites, this would be a great walking holiday trail. The path also crosses the country from coast to coast. It begins in Wallsend and ends in the historic city of Carlisle. This is a marked path, and therefore you can find ample signs that will ensure that you do not get lost.
Northumberland Coast Path
If you intend to explore some of the best beaches and isolated islands, you can walk the Northumberland Coast Path, which provides you with uninterrupted views of the coastline. This 102 km (64 miles) coastline path offers you a great view of the landscape combined with historic locations that date back 7000 years. With easy-to-walk terrain and reliable weather conditions, you can make the most of your walking tour. This family-friendly walking holiday also allows you to enjoy the flora and birds that settle on offshore islands.
John Muir Way
When you are exploring Scotland, walking the John Muir Way would be a great family-friendly experience. This allows you to explore the country and coastal roads, which are easy to cover. Also, you get to enjoy the impressive views of Loch Lomond and Campsie Fells. This path begins in Helensburgh and ends in Dunbar. If you are a nature person, you can explore the various birds that reside here. Also, as you walk through these paths, you can take some time at various places.
Borders Abbeys Way
If you are interested in knowing about and exploring Britain’s ruined medieval abbeys, you should choose Borders Abbeys Way. This path is perfect for those who want to explore the magnificent abbeys, including Melrose, Jedburgh, Kelso and Dryburgh. The way is marked, and the gradient remains easy throughout the path, making it a perfect family-friendly walking expedition this year.