Family-Friendly Cycling Routes in the UK Near Campsites
· Updated
The best family cycling in Britain happens on old railway lines. Level, tarmacked, and completely traffic-free, routes like the Camel Trail and the Tarka Trail let a five-year-old ride for miles without ever meeting a car. Pitch up at a campsite on the doorstep and you have a proper adventure that starts the moment breakfast is cleared away.
This guide names the routes worth building a trip around, with real distances, surfaces and the ages they suit. It sits alongside our guide to child-friendly campsites in the UK, and it is brought to you by Camping Sites in Britain, where you can find and compare campsites near every trail below.
The best traffic-free family cycling routes
Every route here is either fully traffic-free or has long car-free sections, which is what makes them work for young children. Most are converted railway lines, so gradients are gentle and the surface is smooth.
| Route | Region | Distance | Surface | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camel Trail | Cornwall | 18 miles | Flat, compacted gravel | Ages 4 and up |
| Tarka Trail | Devon | 31 miles traffic-free | Level, mostly tarmac | Ages 4 and up |
| Marriott's Way | Norfolk | 26 miles | Flat, gravel and tarmac | Ages 5 and up |
| Rutland Water | Rutland | 17 miles round | Level, mostly tarmac | Ages 6 and up |
| Cuckoo Trail | East Sussex | 11 miles | Flat, tarmac and gravel | Ages 4 and up |
| Bike Park Wales | Merthyr Tydfil | Graded trails | Purpose-built mountain bike | Confident older kids and teens |
The Camel Trail, Cornwall
The Camel Trail is the most famous family bike route in Britain, and with good reason. It runs 18 miles along a disused railway from Padstow through Wadebridge and Bodmin up to Wenfordbridge, and it is almost completely flat. The most popular family stretch is the five and a half miles from Padstow to Wadebridge, hugging the Camel estuary with views of herons and oystercatchers.
The surface is firm, compacted gravel, fine for any bike including a child's first pedal bike or a trailer. Bike hire is easy to find at both Padstow and Wadebridge, with tag-alongs, trailers and child seats available. There are campsites across the area, and you can browse options across campsites in Cornwall to find a base near the trail.
The Tarka Trail, Devon
The Tarka Trail gives you 31 miles of continuous traffic-free cycling, one of the longest such stretches in the country. It follows an old railway between Braunton and Meeth, curving through Barnstaple and Bideford along the Taw and Torridge estuaries. It is level and mostly tarmacked, so tired legs are the only real limit on how far you go.
Families rarely ride the whole thing in one go. Pick a section, ride out to a café or a pub garden, then turn back. Bike hire is available at Barnstaple, Bideford and Braunton. Look at campsites in Devon for pitches within striking distance of the trail.
Marriott's Way, Norfolk
Marriott's Way is a 26-mile former railway line running from Norwich out to Aylsham, through gentle Norfolk countryside and old station platforms now reclaimed by wildlife. It is flat throughout, with a mix of gravel and tarmac, and the quieter northern half around Reepham suits younger riders best.
Because it is long and largely rural, it makes a brilliant half-day out where you ride to a picnic spot and back. The line links up with other paths near Aylsham, so keen families can extend the day.
Rutland Water, the East Midlands
The circuit around Rutland Water is a 17-mile loop on a level, mostly tarmac path beside England's largest reservoir. It is a genuine adventure with a natural finish line, since you end where you started, and there are cafés, a nature reserve and plenty of stopping points along the way.
The full loop is a big day for small legs, but the section between the visitor centres at Whitwell and Normanton is shorter and just as scenic. Bike hire at Whitwell has everything from balance bikes to trailers, so you do not need to bring your own.
The Cuckoo Trail, East Sussex
The Cuckoo Trail is an 11-mile traffic-free route from Heathfield to Polegate, following the old railway through woodland and past carved wooden sculptures that keep children hunting for the next one. The surface is a mix of tarmac and gravel and the gradient is gentle, dropping slightly as you head south.
Its shorter length makes it one of the easiest full-route rides for a young family. Riding downhill from Heathfield towards Polegate gives little ones an easier day, with a train link to get back if you need it.
Bike Park Wales, for older kids
When your children have outgrown gentle railway paths, Bike Park Wales near Merthyr Tydfil is the step up. It is a purpose-built mountain bike centre with graded trails, an uplift service that drives you and your bike to the top, and green and blue runs aimed at less experienced riders. It suits confident older children and teenagers rather than under-tens, and full-suspension hire bikes and lessons are available on site.
The National Cycle Network
Beyond the named trails, the National Cycle Network run by Sustrans threads traffic-free sections across the whole country, so there is often a safe, car-free route near wherever you are camping. Their route planner filters for traffic-free paths, which is the quickest way to find a family-safe ride near your pitch. Check the current maps at Sustrans before you travel, as some sections have on-road links between the quiet stretches.
Which routes suit which ages
The right route depends far more on your youngest and least confident rider than on the fittest. Match the terrain to them and everyone has a better day.
- Toddlers and under-fours: ride in a trailer or child seat. Any flat, traffic-free railway trail works. Keep the total distance short and plan for a long café stop.
- Ages 4 to 7: short, level, fully traffic-free routes like the Camel Trail's Padstow section or the Cuckoo Trail. Expect five to eight miles at most, with plenty of breaks.
- Ages 8 to 12: longer traffic-free trails such as the Tarka Trail or Rutland Water, where 12 to 17 miles is realistic with stops.
- Teenagers: ready for graded mountain biking at somewhere like Bike Park Wales, or the full length of the longer trails.
A tag-along bar or a trailer bike lets a smaller child contribute pedal power while you stay in control, which often buys another few miles before the complaints start. For more on keeping children happy outdoors, see our tips for enjoying the great outdoors with kids.
Bike hire near the trails
You do not have to bring bikes for the whole family. Every major route above has hire centres at its trailheads, and they are set up for families.
Hire shops on the Camel Trail, Tarka Trail and at Rutland Water stock child bikes, tag-alongs, trailers, child seats and helmets, and they will fit everything for you. Booking ahead in the school holidays is wise, as popular sizes sell out. Hiring also means no roof rack, no muddy boot, and someone else does the puncture repairs. If you would rather bring your own kit, our guide to cycling and camping in the UK covers what to pack and how to carry it.
Safety on family rides
Traffic-free trails remove the single biggest danger, which is cars, but a few basics keep the day smooth. Helmets that fit properly are non-negotiable for every rider, adults included.
Ride single file where the path is busy with walkers, dog walkers and other families, and teach children to use a bell and slow right down when passing. Carry more water and snacks than you think you need, since a flagging child is usually a hungry one. Pack a basic repair kit with a pump, a spare inner tube and tyre levers, keep a fully charged phone, and agree a simple rule that everyone stops and waits at every junction or gate. Sorting these out before you set off is one of the easiest ways to avoid the mistakes in our list of common blunders that spoil family camping trips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best family cycling route in the UK?
The Camel Trail in Cornwall is the most popular, thanks to 18 flat, traffic-free miles and easy bike hire at Padstow and Wadebridge. For a longer ride, the Tarka Trail in Devon offers 31 continuous traffic-free miles.
What age can a child cycle a trail on their own bike?
Most children can manage short, flat, traffic-free trails on their own pedal bike from around four or five. Keep early rides under five miles with frequent breaks, and use a trailer or child seat for anyone younger.
Can I hire bikes at these routes?
Yes. The Camel Trail, Tarka Trail, Rutland Water and most other major trails have hire centres at their trailheads with child bikes, tag-alongs, trailers, seats and helmets. Book ahead during school holidays.
Are these cycling routes really traffic-free?
The named trails here are traffic-free or have long car-free sections, as most are converted railway lines. The wider National Cycle Network mixes traffic-free paths with quiet on-road links, so check the Sustrans map before you go.
How far can young children cycle in a day?
A rough guide is two to three miles for a four-year-old, five to eight for a seven-year-old, and 12 or more for a fit ten-year-old. Distance depends on the child, the breaks and the snacks, so plan short and extend if they are keen.
Do campsites near these trails have bike storage?
Many family campsites near popular cycling routes offer secure bike storage, and some run their own hire or have a shop on site. Check facilities when you browse listings and ask when you book.
The short version
For traffic-free family cycling, base yourself near an old railway line: the Camel Trail in Cornwall, the Tarka Trail in Devon, Marriott's Way in Norfolk, Rutland Water, or the Cuckoo Trail in Sussex. Match the distance to your youngest rider, hire bikes at the trailhead, and pack more snacks than seems sensible. Browse campsites across Britain to find a pitch on the doorstep of your chosen trail.
