Getting outdoors and getting active together as a family creates great experiences and memories. Here are our top tips for where to go for a family bike ride in Berkshire. If your kids are not yet riding bikes yet, these routes are also great for a buggy walk.
- Dorney Lake, near EtonThe grounds are open to the public for a trial period until March 2022 and under continual review.
With a 5km loop of totally smooth, flat track, the path around Eton rowing lake can’t be beaten for a beginner’s bike ride. There is plenty of parking. It’s so smooth you might also spot rollerbladers or scooters on the track. You can also look out for swans and rowers in the water and planes flying into Heathrow overhead. Read more about kids’ bike rides at Dorney Lake here.
2. Swinley Forest, near Bracknell
There are miles of flat pathways at Swinley Forest, perfect for a kid’s bike ride or buggy walk. For the more experienced, there are some great graded mountain bike tracks. Read more about kids’ biking at Swinley Forest here.
3. Kennet & Avon Canal
The Kennet & Avon Canal is great for some more adventurous family biking expeditions. You can do a there & back from any lock. However because the trainline also runs along the Canal, you can do some great A-B bike rides starting at a railway station and returning by train. Read more about a great family bike ride from Thatcham to Theale here.
4. Dinton Pastures, near Wokingham
There are several different tracks around the lakes including the Black Swan Lake loop (1.8 miles) where you can spot interesting ducks and swans along the way. The path is flat so excellent for kids biking but does have some bumpy sections where the path has been resurfaced with rough gravel. There’s also a great playground and a cafe here! Read our Red Kite Days article here
5. The Nature Discovery Centre, near Thatcham
Like Dinton Pastures, there is a lovely bike ride loop around the lake, perfect for kids. There’s also two fab playgrounds and a cafe here. Read our Red Kite Days article here.
6. Ascot Heath
The best place to head to if you’re embarking on the fun task of teaching your little one how to ride a bike! Free to use, this circular tarmac wide pathed space offers a 2.7k walk on a non muddy path. Check out our review.
7. Black Park Country Park
Black Park Country park has a lovely big circular path from the car park around the lake, a great route with an adventure play park half way around. It’s just under a mile so ideal for little legs. If you have bigger kids looking for more of a stretch, there are 10 miles of cycling and walking tracks so you can ride your bike at Black Park until you’re tired out. You can bring your own bikes or hire them from Go Ape which is located next to the car park. Find out more about cycling with kids at Black Park Country Park.
Where are your favourite places for a family bike ride in Berkshire? Let us know your suggestions on our Facebook page
