Yorkshire’s Best Family-Friendly Walks 

God’s Own County  

Yorkshire is celebrated as one of the most beautiful areas of the UK thanks to its dozens of pretty villages and sandstone market towns. It’s home to easily accessible walks across moorland and urban landscapes that cater to all ages and abilities.  

Getting the family out on a walk is a great way of gently exercising and bonding over a shared activity. In this guide, we’ll explore the best walks Yorkshire has to offer your family for a weekend getaway this spring. 

City Adventures for Little Explorers 

The York City Walls were initially built by the Romans around 71 AD, but most of the remaining walls were built between the 13th and 14th centuries. They are England’s longest town walls and take roughly two hours to walk across, providing an elevated circular route across the historic city centre.  

You can access the walls through the four main bars: Micklegate Bar, Walmgate Bar, Bootham Bar, and Monk Bar. Sections of the walls aren’t buggy-friendly, and 4 metres high and six feet wide, making them unsuited to young children prone to running without looking ahead.  

The York Solar System Walking and Cycling Trail is perfect for science-loving families. It’s a scale model of the Solar System spread out along 6.4 miles of old railway, with scale models of all the planets and the Cassini and Voyager spacecraft. The scale of the model is  575,872,239 to 1, meaning every 100 metres corresponds to over 57 million kilometres in space. The kids will be fascinated to discover that they are walking three times the speed of light! 

Nature & Woodland 

Angler’s Country Park near Wakefield is a gem for nature-loving families. Originally a farmed landscape, it has been transformed into extensive wetland areas, open rolling hills, and dense woodlands. Haw Park Wood’s newly created woodland walk is ideal for relaxing strolls in the countryside.  

RSPB Fairburn Ings is a protected area in West Yorkshire that is best known for its avian biodiversity. It has 280 bird species to spot as you stroll through the reserve, including kingfishers, and is pushchair-friendly for families with babies.  

Bolton Abbey is a North Yorkshire village that takes its name from the Garde I listed Bolton Priory and its adjacent ruins. Explore its woodlands and riverside path with a game of I Spy from the Cavendish shop to spot pictures on the card around Strid Wood with the kids.  

Practical Tips for Family Walks 

If you’re walking with young children in a buggy, check online to see if your trail is pushchair-friendly. You’ll want areas accessible by wheels, so if you’re unsure about sections, contact the trail’s website to double-check.  

You should also make sure you’re all kitted out properly. That means windbreakers or warmer coats and gloves during the winter, women’s hiking boots on your feet and the kids with pairs that fit them well.  

Consider the distance and difficulty of the walk. If it’s several miles long with steep inclines, it may be difficult for younger children and grandparents, so pick according to your family’s abilities. Pack snacks, water, a first-aid kit, and sunscreen when walking in warmer months. 

*This is a collaborative post