Great family walks

Great family walks. With Autumn here and Winter right around the corner, there is certainly a chill in the air. But don’t let that put you off exploring the great British outdoors. Grab your woolly hat, scarf and wellies and enjoy five of our best family walks in the UK, to make this winter one to remember.

The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

World famous for it’s columns of layered basalt, The Giant Causeways needs no introduction. Forged as the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, the Causeway is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. The Giant Causeway has plenty of family trails. But we here at Kennedy recommend The Green Trail. This route is buggy friendly and fenced off from the cliffs, meaning you can enjoy the fantastic landscape as your children roam freely and safely.

Barton Broad Boardwalk, Norfolk

The fun starts before you even start out on this walk; simply ask your children to say ‘Barton Broad Boardwalk’ five times as fast as they can, you can thank us later! Once you arrive you will quickly discover that this is an easily accessible route, full of mystery. This trail will take you on a journey through wildlife, filled woodlands and plenty of places to rest along the way. You will eventually be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view overlooking Barton. With a wide variety of birds on show; from Treecreepers and Robins, to Jackdaws. Don’t forget to pack plenty of feed, or even a fatball or two to help your furry friends out in the cold weather.

Dunster Castle, Somerset

With endless trails and postcard landscapes at every corner, Exmoor is one of the best places to go walking with the family. One of the best trails in our opinion is Dunster Castle, a perfect location for the little ones to explore and play. This wonderful National Trust property is in the North East section of the Exmoor National Park. The castle is steeped in history and has been around since at least the Norman times. Dramatically perched on a wooded hill, the view from the top offers a spectacular angle of the Bristol Channel and the vast expanse of Exmoor.

Bridges Walks, Snowdonia

We will leave this walk up to you, as there are three short paths you can take. You can also combine them all into a 2-3 hour adventure if your little ones are feeling extra energetic. All the walks start from Y Stablua, situated by the National Park Information Centre. The walk is great for beginners.

Sherborne Orienteering Trail, Gloucestershire

This walk is graded as ‘easy and fun’, which makes it ideal for families. It’s also shrouded in mystery, so it’s still exciting, even if it’s not as challenging. On the trail, you will be on the hunt for 13 letters, which by the end of the trail will form a mystery two-part word. As the kids go scavenging you can allow yourself to get immersed in the nature, surrounded by beech trees, adorning the driveway of the grandiose Sherborne House.

Beatrix Potter Walk, Lake District

It may have been 150 years since Beatrix Potter was born, but her children's novels have remained timeless. So what better place to go walking this winter than the home of Miss Potter herself. An enchanting walk around Lake Windermere will eventually bring you to the villages of Sawrey and Hawkshead, where you will get to see the same landscapes that inspired the works of Jemima Puddle- Duck and Peter Rabbit. With plenty of shuttle buses along the route, you can make this walk as short or as long as you like. For a place rich in flora and fauna, you may even be lucky enough to spot a Jack Snipes. They will be hovering around the wetland and marshland areas dotted about the walk. If you are in the festive spirit, pack some wild bird food or dried mealworms, as these cold winter months can really take it’s toll on the birds.

29th Oct 2016 Kennedy Wild