The UK’s best traffic-free cycling routes that are great for families

South-west England Bristol and Bath Railway Path, Bristol Distance: 13.9 miles/23.3km The path features a variety of sculptures and a working steam engine at the old train station at Bitton. Enjoy a pub lunch at Saltford, with wonderful views of the River Avon. In Bath, you will find Roman Baths, art galleries, shopping and Botanical Gardens. Stroud Valleys Trail, Gloucestershire Distance: 5 miles/8.1km Beginning in Stonehouse in the Stroud Valley, this traffic-free five-mile route follows the line of the old Midland Railway and provides wonderful views of the Cotswolds. It’s never far from water, periodically joining the River Frome, the disused Stroudwater Canal and the Nailsworth Stream. Keep an eye out for water mills along the way. Finishing at Nailsworth, the route also takes you through an orchard and provides a connection to Stroud – although not step-free. Shorts Tarka Trail, Devon Distance: 30.3 miles/48.8km This is one of the country’s longest continuous traffic-free cycling paths and gives you superb views across the mouth of the Taw Estuary. A hybrid bike is recommended, as the trail has a few sections which would be unsuitable for a road bike. There are lots of wildlife habitats along the route, including estuary mudflats and salt marshes, oak woodland, streams, ditches and meadows. Camel Trail, Cornwall Distance: 12 miles/19.5km One of the most popular recreational routes in the country, the Camel Trail runs from Padstow to Poley’s Bridge, via Wadebridge and Bodmin. The trail passes through the wooded countryside of the upper Camel Valley and alongside the picturesque Camel Estuary. The Camel estuary near Padstow in Cormwall (Photo: AL Hedderly/Getty/Moment RF) East of England Lakenham Way Greenway, Norfolk Distance: 1.4 miles/2.3km This route is perfect for enjoying the natural environment. Following the path of a disused railway through Norwich, the Greenway blends urban connectivity with historical and ecological significance. It links the neighbourhoods of Lakenham and Town Close with the city centre, providing a scenic travel corridor. Route 137: Aveley to North Stifford, Essex Distance: 1.9 miles/3km This traffic-free path follows the route of the River Mardyke. Travel through the lovely Davy Down Riverside Park before finishing at the B186 just outside North Stifford. Here, the route connects to local cycle routes that continue on into Chafford Hundred and skirt the Grays Chalk Quarry Nature Reserve. South-east England Cuckoo Trail, East Sussex Distance: 10.4 miles/16.7km This is one of the most popular family cycle rides in the South East. The trail runs through a mixture of broadleaf woodland, open grassland, arable farmland and pasture, with verges often thick with seasonal wildflowers such as vetch and willowherb. Along the way are dramatic sculptures and plenty of carved wooden seats to stop and take in your surroundings. London Docklands & Lea Valley, London Distance: 20.7 miles/33.3km Go from the heart of historical maritime London through places shaped by industry, war, commerce and water, to the countryside in just 20 miles. For a relaxed family ride or if you use a wheelchair or handcycle, go for Victoria Park, the Lea Valley between Stratford and Tottenham and the Lea Valley regional park between Waltham Cross and Broxbourne. The track on the Cuckoo Trail in East Sussex (Photo: Westend61/Getty/Westend61/Alun Richardson) Misbourne Greenway, Buckinghamshire Distance: 2.48 miles/4km This smooth, traffic-free path between Great Missenden and Wendover became part of the National Cycle Network last year. Keep an eye out for red kites, which almost went extinct but are now a common sight here. Perfect for all ability levels. Sewell Greenway, Bedfordshire Distance: 13.2 miles/21km From Dunstable, join this delightful rroute to Stanbridge. Following the old railway line between Dunstable and Stanbridgeford, the Sewell Greenway is rich in wildlife and provides a wonderful escape into nature for walkers and cyclists. Tudor Trail, Kent Distance: 5.5 miles/8.9km This route offers an almost entirely traffic-free ride from the heart of Tonbridge alongside the River Medway into the countryside as far as the glorious buildings of Penshurst Place – the finest example in England of 14th-century domestic architecture. Midlands Stratford Greenway, Warwickshire Distance: 5.3 miles/8.5km The historic market town of Stratford, on the edge of the Cotswolds, is one of the most-visited places in England. The Stratford Greenway links the attractive town of Stratford-upon-Avon with the village of Long Marston. Make memories on two wheels (Photo: ArtistGNDphotography/Getty/E+) Derby Canal Path & the Cloud Trail, Derbyshire & Leicestershire Distance: 13.3 miles/21.3km This lovely, flat, mostly traffic-free route runs from Derby city centre to Worthington along canal paths and a former railway, now known as the Cloud Trail. As you follow the route, you’ll enjoy peaceful riverside cycling and stunning views. This trail is great for families and less-experienced cyclists. Coventry Canal towpath, West Midlands & Staffordshire Distance: 4 miles/6.6km Ideal for family cycling, this is a hidden green corridor running through the city – useful for commuters, or anyone wanting to escape the city without really having to leave. Join on Leicester Causeway and weave through the district of Paradise. Head past the CBS Arena, home to one of the Premier League’s newest teams, before reaching Hawkesbury Lock. This local conservation area is an excellent place to stop for food and drink. Lias Line Greenway, Warwickshire Distance: 5 miles/8km The Lias Line spans 23 miles, from Rugby to Royal Leamington Spa. Nearly five miles of this route have been converted into a traffic-free greenway, making this former railway line an ideal choice for families and nature lovers. Join in the pretty village of Long Itchington to experience a wealth of wildlife including butterflies, newts and rare plants. For a longer ride, continue towards Draycote Water, the largest body of water in Shakespeare’s county. Northern England Spen Valley Greenway, West Yorkshire Distance: 7.3 miles/11.7km This wonderful green corridor near Dewsbury passes a wildlife reserve and has fantastic moorland views. The path is home to a collection of artworks commissioned by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and is also a Greener Greenway, where working is being done to enhance the biodiversity and habitats of the route. Enjoy a day out on two wheels (Photo: Mike Kemp/Getty/Tetra images RF/Mike Kemp/Blend Images LLC) Consett and Sunderland Railway path, Tyne & Wear Distance: 24 miles/38.7km This route between Consett and Sunderland travels past the Beamish Open Air Museum and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre. As you head in to Sunderland, you pass the new Stadium of Light before arriving at the beach at Roker. The Longdendale Trail, Pennine Cycleway, Peak District Distance: 6.5 miles/10.5km From Hadfield, the Trans Pennine Trail encounters a peaceful section of traffic-free path known as the Longdendale Trail, which follows National Cycle Network Route 7. The 6.5-mile route runs alongside five reservoirs: Bottoms, Valehouse, Rhodeswood, Torside and Woodhead, and follows the former, now disused, Woodhead railway path. The route is suitable for everyone, whether walking, riding a horse or bike, or with a wheelchair or pushchair. Route 685: Padiham Greenway, Lancashire Distance: 2.2 miles/3.5km This is a much-loved two-mile path connecting Padiham with local villages, and linking through to Burnley town centre. Once the former North Lancashire Loop Line railway, it is now a linear park and nature haven. The west section, including the River Calder Bridge, has recently been resurfaced and is now accessible for buggies and mobility aids. A green strip along the bridge helps small mammals and insects travel along the route too. Wales Three Parks Trail, South Wales Distance: 13 miles, 21km This easy, traffic-free ride takes in three of Wales’s most picturesque parks. At Hengoed, you pass the magnificent Wheel of Drams artwork, an 8m-high sculpture, constructed from old coal carts, known as “drams”. Titanic Belfast is a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage (Photo: Rainer Grosskopf/Getty/Stockbyte Unreleased) Peregrine Path, Monmouth Distance: 7.5 miles/12.1km Starting in the historic market town of Monmouth – the birthplace of Henry V – this trail is straight out of a children’s story book. There is so much to see and do, with old-time pubs, quaint shops and heritage sites including castle ruins. Lôn Las Menai from Caernarfon to Y Felinheli, Gwynedd Distance: 3.5 miles/5.6km This section of the dismantled railway through broadleaf woodland links Caernarfon with the old slate harbour of Port Dinorwig (Y Felinheli). There are views of the Menai Strait and across the water to the island of Anglesey. This route is completely traffic-free, apart from short road sections to access the centres of Caernarfon and Y Felinheli. Northern Ireland Comber Greenway, Belfast Distance: 7 miles/11.2km A tranquil green corridor all the way from Comber to the heart of East Belfast along the old Belfast to Comber railway line. You arrive at the newly developed Titanic Quarter – a great place for a bite to eat. Scotland Aviemore to Boat of Garten, The Cairngorms Distance: 4.7 miles/7.5km Boasting views of the Cairngorm Mountains and finishing in a place also known as the “Osprey Village”, this largely traffic-free route is known for its stunning natural scenery. But there is also history to be enjoyed; the restored Strathspey Steam Railway runs nearby – and bikes are allowed on the trains. The Union and Forth & Clyde Canals, Scottish Lowlands Distance: 63 miles/101km The Union and Forth & Clyde Canals, National Cycle Network route 754 is an entirely traffic-free cycle path from Edinburgh to Glasgow. At times, it runs along the towpath of the Union Canal, a wonderful wildlife corridor and recreational space. Along the route, you will pass interesting sights on the canal such as the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift. For more inspiration, check out the range of cycling guides and books at shop.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/collections/books