UK

9 superb UK walks for families that all end at a pub!

Last updated 11th March 2024

Hands up who’s ever suggested a nice walk with the family, only to be turned down in favour of TV or a nap? We’ve found the perfect motivation to get the family up and out, even your teens. Here are nine of the best UK walks for families that all end with a visit to a great pub.

richmond-park-london

1/9 Richmond Park, London

A tranquil haven in the middle of The Big Smoke, Richmond Park is the largest of the eight famous Royal parks. Walk the 6km perimeter or explore the Isabella Plantation with its 40 acres of unusual trees, shrubs and ornamental ponds.

Climb King Henry’s Mound, the hill traditionally said to have been the spot where Henry VIII listened out for the cannon to signal Anne Boleyn’s execution (this is a myth; the mound was more likely used as an ancient burial chamber).

The view is stunning and now protected, so bring a camera to capture the scenery. Look out for the resident deer in the park, who have been known to trip up runners on their way around the park!

Where to drink

Enjoy the beautiful views from the top of Richmond hill in The Roebuck’s beer garden; this venue dates back to the 1500s and is said to be a favourite haunt of Mick Jagger.

Find out more about The Roebuck

Distance

3.7 miles

Best for

City lovers, families with teens and culture vultures

stepping-stones-box-hill-surrey

2/9 Box Hill, Surrey

Famous for its Olympic cycle routes and stunning vistas, Box Hill also has a lot to offer for families with children. The visitors’ centre and cafe boasts educational displays and interactive exhibits, including a working beehive that is fascinating to watch.

Borrow an adventure pack with bug-finder, map and magnifying glass from the centre and take the kids on the Stepping Stone walking route. Discover an old fort and hop across the River Mole on the stepping stones for a perfect photo moment.

There is also a brilliant natural play trail, with obstacles made from huge tree logs, so the family can enjoy a full day out in the fresh air.

Where to drink

The Tree on Box Hill is a beautiful country pub serving good food in a family-friendly environment.

Find out more about The Tree on Box Hill

Distance

2 miles

Best for

Families with canine companions and National Trust members

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3/9 Fritham, New Forest

The ‘Fritham Loop’ is a four mile, buggy-friendly walk through the changing landscape of the New Forest in Hampshire, perfect for parents who want a decent walk with younger children who can still be pushed in a pram.

Starting at the Royal Oak pub, take in the peaceful woods and view of the Amberwood and Islands Thorns Inclosures that famously featured as Sherwood Forest in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Kids will love spotting the plentiful deer and famous New Forest ponies who roam freely in the area, and parents can look forward to a cider when the trail finishes back where you started.

Where to drink

With real ales and hearty homecooked food, it is well worth a wait for a table at The Royal Oak in Fritham.

Find out more about The Royal Oak

Distance

4 miles

Best for

Families with a buggy and pony-mad kids!

llyn-peninsula-wales

4/9 Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, Wales

If you fancy the sea breeze in your hair, this coastal walk on the Llyn Peninsula is perfect for you and your family. Starting in the inland Edern village head north, crossing streams and farmland until you follow a winding river to the rocky Abergeirch beach. See if you can spot dolphins diving for fish in the water during mackerel season!

From there, join the Wales Coast path and follow it down to Life Boat Bay, where you can see the resident colony of seals living on the rocks just out to sea. From the bay rejoin the path and follow it to your final destination at the Ty Coch pub in the beautiful fishing village of Porthdinllaen.

Where to drink

Grab a pin from the Ty Coch Inn and head down to the beach for a perfect evening.

Find out more about Ty Coch Inn

Distance

4 miles

Best for

Families with older children who enjoy walking

Lake-at-Trossachs-Scotland

5/9 Glen Finglas, Trossachs, Scotland

This glorious hub of wildlife and nature under the protection of The Woodland Trust is ideal for a long walk with the family. Try the Brig o’Turk loop that will have you wandering through a medley of willow, hazel and Scots pine trees over a course of four miles. Bring a baby carrier for tiny tots as the route involves a climb up hills that reach around 600m, although the paths are good and older kids could manage with the promise of snacks at the top!

Print out a ‘wildlife treasure hunt’ before you come and have the children ticking off pine marten, red squirrel and even golden eagles. Other colour-coded walks are strewn throughout the Glen and maps are available from the visitors’ centre.

Where to drink

Refresh yourselves at The Byre Inn; with its stone walls, local game and log fires there will be no doubt that you are in the heart of rural Scotland!

Find out more about The Byre Inn

Distance

4 miles

Best for

Kids who are into nature and wildlife; families with small babies in a carrier

Brockhole Visitor Centre

6/9 Brockhole, Lake District

A self-contained gem in the scenic Lake District, Brockhole is the place to go for families with children of mixed ages. Little ones will be enchanted by the new Beatrix Potter trail, discovering the places that inspired the characters and their homes of her famous story books.

Kids can collect the brass rubbings from boards around the trail and enjoy the activity sheets from the Brockhole shop. Older children and parents can push the boat out with a trip across Lake Windermere as part of a three-mile walking trail, taking in ancient stone structures and farms before finishing back at Brockhole.

PDF maps of the route are available on Brockhole’s website.

Where to drink

After enjoying an afternoon tea at Brockhole, pop over to Cragwood Country House for fine dining or a glass of port in front of a roaring fire.

Find out more about Cragwood Country House

Distance

3 miles

Best for

Families with younger children

rottingdean-sussex

7/9 Brighton to Rottingdean, East Sussex

Parking on the iconic seaside front, turn left as you face the ocean and head past Brighton’s famous pier (if you can resist its huge fairground rides!). Walk along the promenade or head down onto the beach and pick up some pebbles to skim on the way, or bring a bucket and collect some of the shoreline shells.

After around a kilometre, stop at the beachfront cafe for an ice-cream or bacon sandwich; just watch out for cheeky seagulls trying to steal a bite! After a snack, keep on the same path for a couple of kilometres (the trail is flat and cycle and buggy friendly) and finish in the delightful village of Rottingdean. Visit the quaint pond, admire the cottages and explore the cafes with their courtyard gardens, ideal for afternoon tea.

Where to drink

The Plough Inn in Vicarage Lane is located on the beautiful village pond and sources its produce locally.

Find out more about The Plough Inn

Distance

4.5 miles

Best for

Families with dogs and beach lovers

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8/9 Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland

One of the best UK walks for animal-mad kids, the adventure on Rathlin Island begins on the ferry from the mainland across the Sea of Moyle. The Boathouse Visitor Centre is a good place to start, where visitors can learn about the isle’s past and present and see some local shipwreck artefacts.

From there, walk along the beach to Mill Bay and see the resident colony of seal. Puffins also call the island home, so be sure to bring binoculars and a camera. From there walk back to the harbour and order food and drink at McCuaig’s bar before catching the ferry back to shore. For more adventurous walkers there are several colour-coded routes around the island catering for all energy levels (map available here).

Where to drink

McCuaig’s Bar is a great place to meet the locals (there are only 140 of them!) and have a Guinness while overlooking the harbour.

Find out more about McCuaig’s Bar

Distance

1.2 miles

Best for

Birdwatchers, animal lovers and children who don’t like walking!

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Photo: Robin Webster

9/9 Cowden Loop, Kent

Starting in the picturesque village of Cowden, this walk forms a three-mile loop through the countryside. Take in pasture lands, woodland and Hammer Pond as you make your way around the trail, ending back in Cowden.

The route is dog-friendly and crosses one stile, so wear sensible clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit scuffed! Bring a kids’ wildflower identification guide with you for some floral treasure hunts in the meadow. When you return to the village check out the Grade II listed cottages and the ancient church with its restored shingle spire.

Children may be interested to know that Roger Hargreaves, author of the Mr Men and Little Miss storybook collections, lived here and is buried in the graveyard of the parish church.

Where to drink

The Fountain Inn serves home-cooked food and has a garden for sunny days.

Find out more about The Fountain Inn

Distance

3 miles

Best for

Country lovers, dog owners and kids who love to run wild!

There are some great quirky stays in the UK for families. Why not try them for a more memorable trip?