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Family bike rides in and around Bath and Bristol
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Are you looking for kids friendly cycle routes near you? Are you planning your next family cycling trip in Bath or Bristol? If you answered yes, you are in the right place.
Here are some cycling routes that are perfect for families and suitable for small children on their own bikes.
The following routes cover different areas of Bath and Bristol, providing fun, scenic, and exciting cycling experiences for everyone. The routes are either completely or mostly traffic free and flat or nearly flat, so they are perfect for a family day out with kids.
Hire bikes, bike seats and trailers in Bath or Bristol
Most of the cycle routes near Bath and Bristol can be reached by public transport.
In Bristol, the best place to hire a bike as a family is Bristol Tandem Hire. They've got tandem bikes available for an adult and a child, and bike seats can be fitted too. What a great way to cycle as family!
In Bath, you can hire a fat tyre e-bike with a bike seat from Bath EBike Hire. They also have children's bikes and bike trailers available for hire.
If you are looking for a bike trailer to use on your next ride, then you should check out Kids Bike Trailer Hire. They delivery bike trailers all over the UK, to your doorstep.
Cycle Sprog is a reader-supported website. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission.
Two Tunnels loop - Bath
Key facts:
- Suitable for: everyone - from small children that are not very confident yet, or even little ones on balance bikes
- Length: the full loop is 13 miles
- Difficulty: easy as the Two Tunnels path is very wide and smooth
- Elevation: very gentle incline as you approach the tunnels from Bath
- Traffic: 75% traffic free (the Two Tunnels section is completely traffic free)
- Starting point: Bath Spa or Oldfield Park train station. Both are a short ride from the route, which can be ridden in either direction
- Public transport: Bath Spa or Oldfield Park train station.
- Parking: find car parks in Bath
This easy, circular cycling route features the longest cycling and walking tunnel in the UK - 1,672 metres long to be precise! If you decide to do the full loop, which includes part of the ride along the canal to Dundas below, you’ll take in lots of different terrains and things to see.
You can do the two tunnels on their own as well, without doing the full loop.
The Two Tunnels path is very wide and smooth so it’s perfect for small children who are not very confident yet, or for little ones on balance bikes. It is nearly flat as well, so great for smaller legs or kids who are learning to ride a bike.
This route has many access points along the circuit, so you and your family can join at any point. You can start from the train station or river towpath in Bath.
Don’t forget to take lights with you because the tunnels have some lighting, but a front and rear light are advised. Also remember that the tunnel might be cold on a hot summer day.
The tunnels feature lights and music tucked into some of the refugees in the walls - children will love this!
Kennet and Avon Canal towpath to Dundas
Key facts:
- Suitable for: young children confident on different terrains
- Length: just over 4 miles (one way)
- Difficulty: partly unpaved so can be tricky for small children who have just learned to ride
- Elevation: flat
- Traffic: traffic free
- Starting point: Sydney Gardens, Bath
- Public transport: Bath Spa train station (short ride from the starting point)
- Parking: find car parks in Bath
The Kennet and Avon Canal is a picturesque waterway that links England’s canals from the River Thames at Reading to the Bristol Channel.
This route is completely traffic-free and very scenic. The views once you reach the Dundas Aqueduct are stunning and seeing canal boats go over a river is a pretty magical thing to see up close!
You can stop off for ice cream at the Angelfish cafe if you’re feeling peckish and even rent kayaks and canoes there.
The towpath allows for a relaxed cycle with plenty of nice spots to stop for a break, though it is important to keep in mind that some parts along the way are unpaved which may be difficult for smaller riders on balance bikes or who are not very confident riders yet. And if it’s been raining, there may be puddles on the path.
Bristol to Bath railway path
Key facts:
- Suitable for: everyone
- Length: 9 miles (one way)
- Difficulty: wide and smooth tarmacked path
- Elevation: flat
- Traffic: traffic free
- Starting point in Bath: Brassmill Lane
- Starting point in Bristol: Bristol Temple Meads train station
- Public transport: Bath Spa or Bristol Temple Meads train station
- Parking: where to park in Bristol
The Bristol to Bath railway path is a tranquil traffic-free cycle and walking route filled with greenery and mostly flat paths which makes it the perfect spot for a family outing! But it is important to note that this route can get quite busy on the weekends.
You can start at either end of the wide, smooth tarmacked path.
You will be happy to hear that there are two lovely cafes and a pub along the route where you can stop for a well-deserved treat.
At Bitton, an old railway station, kids can watch steam trains on most weekends and at Warmley Station you can get a bite to eat at a café called the Warmley Waiting Rooms who offer a variety of tasty snacks.
Bristol Docks Loop
Key facts:
- Suitable for: everyone
- Length: 7 miles
- Difficulty: traffic free but some parts do involve on-road riding
- Elevation: mostly flat
- Traffic: 87% of the loop is traffic-free
- Starting point: Bristol Cathedral
- Public transport: Bristol Temple Meads train station
- Parking: where to park in Bristol
This is a very short circular route around Bristol harbour which is mainly flat and traffic free and can be started at different points, but a great starting point is from the Bristol Cathedral.
It is important to note that some parts involve on-road riding so this may not be suitable for small children.
However, as this route is in the heart of Bristol is a perfect route to take if you are wanting to visit - there are lots of things to see and do and a variety of places to stop off for food and drinks to refuel!
Strawberry Line from Yatton to Cheddar
Key facts:
- Suitable for: families (but take into consideration that some busy roads will need to be crossed)
- Length: 7 miles
- Difficulty: easy
- Elevation: no steep gradients, some small slopes but relatively flat
- Traffic: mainly traffic free but will need to cross some busy roads so care is needed
- Starting point: Yatton
- Public transport: Yatton train station
- Parking: Winscombe, Sandford, Congresbury or Yatton.
The Strawberry Line does not start in either Bath or Bristol, it starts in Yatton, outside of Bristol, so you would need to travel to Yatton via car or train.
Once you are in Yatton, you can use your own bike or if you want to you can hire a bike from Strawberry Cycles.
They have a range of different bikes to choose from including trailers and bike seats to carry children, as well as a range of adapted cycles like trikes, hand cycles and tandems for children and adults with additional needs.
At the Strawberry Line Cafe you can grab a bite to eat before you head off or you can get a takeaway picnic bag.
The route between Yatton and Cheddar is mostly traffic-free, apart from a stretch of a country lane at Sandford and through the quiet village of Axbridge.
The route boosts stunning views and Congresbury village has a variety of cute cafés and pubs where you can stop for a quick break.
The Strawberry Line is an ambitious project which will be built upon over the next years, expanding the route to Clevedon on the West and to Wells and Shepton Mallet on the East.
Chew Valley Lake cycle path
Key facts:
- Suitable for: everyone
- Length: 1.6 miles (one way)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation: flat
- Traffic: traffic free
- Starting point: Woodford Lodge car park
- Parking: Chew Valley Lake North Car Park or The Woodford Lodge car park
This lake-side cycle path was opened in 2022 and is great for very small children because it is short and completely traffic-free. There is also a café serving fish & chips and ice cream en route which makes for the perfect stop off point!
However, travel is necessary in order to get to this route as it is further out of Bath and Bristol, there is parking available in the area such as The Woodford Lodge car park.
Bristol Festival Way
Key facts:
- Suitable for: certain parts are suitable for small/young children, but the complete route involves on-road sections that are not suitable for small children.
- Length: 7 miles (one way)
- Difficulty: wide and smooth tarmacked paths and roads
- Elevation: flat
- Traffic: mostly traffic free, however some sections of this ride involve on-road riding
- Starting point: Queen Square, Bristol
- Public transport: Bristol Temple Meads train station
- Parking: where to park in Bristol
This route starts off in the heart of Bristol at Queen Square and takes you west out of the city over the River Avon stopping at the Grade II-listed Ashton Court Estate, which is a beautiful, idyllic country park with lots of things to do and see such as deer parks, cafes, mountain bike trails and a mansion house to view!
The route then continues past a small, lovely village called Long Ashton, then you reach Flax Burton and the end point Nailsea.
It is important to note that this part of the route involves some short on road riding, so it is not suitable for small children or non-confident riders.
Enjoy your family cycle ride in the South West
These cycling routes around Bath and Bristol provide great family days out in breathtaking surroundings.
With this list of enjoyable paths, there's no limit to the wonderful experiences you can partake in.
So don't hesitate to grab your bikes and explore the area. Happy cycling!
This article was written by Paige Harrop, who did a work placement with Cycle Sprog in 2023 as part of her Journalism degree at the University of Chester.
Other articles you might be interested in:
- The best family cycle routes in Lancashire
- England's Top 10 forests for family cycling
- 8 tips for your first family bike ride of the year
- 7 ways to cycle with a young child, toddler or baby
- 8 reasons to go on an organised family bike ride
- The best Tagalongs for pulling a child behind your bike
- 10 ways to keep your kids safe when cycling on a hot day
- Cornwall and Devon family cycle routes
- Gravel Cycling With Kids
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