Tarr Steps, Exmoor, Somerset
The river takes its time to meander through a wooded valley. You'll want to, too, as you wind gently along its banks, crossing the water by this famed Exmoor monument. The River Barle is knee-deep to a toddler, every shining blue-grey stone visible on its bed. Children scout in the shallows for sticklebacks and splash each other in the deeper pools. For most of the year the river is well behaved and the Steps allow us to explore both sides of a verdant valley. This woodland is also a national nature reserve, so if you walk quietly you may spot red deer, dormice, bats and even otters.
OS map: Explorer OL9, OS grid ref. SS872324
How far: 2.5 miles
Route: From the car park, go through the obvious gate and take the path downhill, through the field beside the road. This pops out onto the road above the Steps.
• Cross the Steps and turn right along the riverbank.
• Follow this path for nearly a mile as it winds round four bends in the river.
• Cross the river by the footbridge and turn right, returning back along the river by the obvious path through the woods.
• Note: the path on the west bank of the river is twisty and rocky in sections, making it only suitable for ATPs. If you want an easier day out, simply stick to the east bank, walking as far along as you wish and returning the same way to enjoy the Steps.
Rest and refresh: The Tarr Farm Inn, just by the Steps, does good teas and has a terrace with great river views (01643 851507, tarrfarm.co.uk). Further info, visitsomerset.co.uk
Carbis Bay to St Ives, Cornwall
This walk starts in Carbis Bay, which has half a mile of alluring beach. It then ascends up to a tree-covered cliffside path that stays cool no matter how hard the Cornish sun beats down. Eventually, it drops down into St Ives, where you can weave your way through the jumble of streets – passing many artists' studios and shops – and along the harbour's edge. Then it's out on to the headland to find beach after beach modestly revealing its curves. The Tate provides a final flourish of brilliance before you return to Carbis Bay on foot or take the train.
OS map: Explorer 102, grid ref. SW543365
How far: Route a, nearly 5 miles, route b, 3.5 miles
Route a: From Carbis Bay station, turn left out of the car park and go downhill towards the beach.
• Follow the path between the Carbis Bay Hotel and the Sands Cafe, going around the hotel and over the railway via the footbridge (steps here and up to the path). Continue on this path, going straight on when it joins a narrow lane.
• After the path crosses the railway, go sharp right down the zigzag slope. Pass the beach cafe, putting green, station and loos and continue around the front to St Ives.
• Go around the harbour, all the way to the pier and turn left, passing the museum on the left. Continue round the headland from the car park (steps on the north side) and carry on either to the road or down to Porthmeor Beach.
• The Tate is midway along the beach. Take the back streets to the harbour and then retrace your steps to Carbis Bay.
Route b: To avoid most of the "up" steps at Carbis Bay, get off the train at St Ives and do the town section of the walk before going back along the coastal path to Carbis Bay.
• To avoid the steps on the north side of St Ives Head, visit the top of the hill on St Ives Head and then walk to the Tate through the streets, instead of via the promontory.
Rest and refresh: The Yellow Canary on Fore Street in St Ives is a great place to pick up a coffee and a croissant to munch by the harbour (01736 797118, theyellowcanary.com). The Beach Restaurant on Wharf Road, by the harbour, has panoramic views and is child friendly with a kids' menu (01736 798798). Further info: stives-cornwall.co.uk
Luxulyan Valley, Cornwall
When the wind blows wild on the coast, come to Luxulyan's quiet, sheltered valley. You and your family will probably have the trees all to yourselves in this natural oasis, that's part of a Cornish Mining World Heritage site. The walk alternately follows "leats" – artificial mini-canals built to harness the power of water – and old tramways. Soon after your stroll begins, you go under the great Treffry Viaduct. After winding through the trees you come past the setting of a huge old waterwheel. The wheel itself is no more, but water still flows through the gap, arcing into fresh air in a proud little cataract that makes a spectacular sight. Climb gently to the path above it for glimpses through the forest canopy of the wider valley. The same path loops back to bring you over the top of the viaduct.
OS map: Explorer 107, grid ref. SX058573.
How far: 2.6 miles
Route: Go through the car park and bear left, climbing the handful of steps to an embankment holding a leat.
• Follow the path that runs alongside this for 3/4 mile, going underneath the viaduct.
• Pass the old waterwheel pit and continue for 120 metres, after which an old tramway joins from the left.
• Keep going until you reach an old stone bridge, then retrace your steps and take the tramway as it branches uphill to the right.
• You now walk above the waterwheel on a leat-side path above and parallel to the one you walked earlier.
• Follow this track all the way to the viaduct. Cross this to enjoy the views, then return over the viaduct and turn left, following the path to a country lane.
• There is a small step here, then walk down the road to the junction by the car park.
Rest and refresh: The Kings Arms pub in Luxulyan has a children's menu, nice outside space and local real ales (01726 850202). Further info: cornish-mining.org.uk
Avebury, Wiltshire
Strolling through an ancient stone circle is just the start of this adventure. Avebury's fine historical monument also forms the hub of a cracking day's countryside wandering. Avebury is the world's biggest stone circle – so large it has a whole village in its centre – but it doesn't attract the huge numbers that Stonehenge does. This walk introduces you to the circle via West Kennet Avenue, a ceremonial approach that originally had 100 pairs of stones. It's half a mile long and still impressive. People can wander freely among the ancient monoliths, unlike Stonehenge. Tourists touch them, kids lean on them and wild-bearded men in rainbow trousers do yoga beneath them. Our tour concludes with a relaxing stretch through the surrounding fields.
OS map: Explorer 157
How far: about 3 miles
Route: Enter the field to the west of the parking area.
• Walk between the stones up West Kennet Avenue.
• When the road to your right joins the main road, cross the smaller road and walk past the trees to the embankment that runs around the ditch.
• Follow the path on top to your right. When you reach a small road, cross it and continue around the circle.
• At the main road follow the path in, towards the centre of the circle, cross the road and take the path out and around the next sector of the circle.
• Detour to your right to visit the café and visitor centre.
• Join the minor road in the village and walk west to east, right through the circle, passing the pub and the point at which you crossed the road earlier.
• You are now walking away from the circle, down a country lane; continue for 1/2 mile, passing Manor Farm, then turn right, down a byway.
• After 1/2 mile, turn right along the edge of a fi eld. Another 1/2 mile will take you back to the start.
Rest and refresh: The Red Lion pub has outdoor space (01672 539266, red-lion-pub-avebury.co.uk). The National Trust visitor centre has a spacious cafe with outside benches. Visitor centre: 01672 539250, nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury
Medmenham Meadow, Buckinghamshire
The mass of London is just 15 miles away and yet here you are, rolling smoothly alongside the Thames, past gaggles of geese, banks of wild flowers, brightly painted boats and acres of wide-open meadow. You might see a few carp basking near the surface of the water in the summer months. The walk is very simple: follow the river for a while then cut back across the fields. But there's so much to be seen that it will feel like you're having an uncommon adventure. Orchids are generally rare in Britain, but you may very well spot the marsh orchid in these fertile grasslands.
OS map: Explorer 171, OS grid ref. SU805839
How far: about 3 miles
Route: From the parking spot, walk down Ferry Lane until you reach the river, and turn right.
• Continue along the riverside for just over a mile, passing through a meadow and then field edges, until a cottage blocks the riverside path.
• Turn right and walk away from the river for 200 metres, then turn right again on the path that crosses the field.
• After 300 metres, cross a track and second field, then a second track, a third field and then a third track.
• Still with us? Good. At the next field the path splits; take the left-hand fork along the field's edge.
• When you reach the next track go across it and then along a leafy path that will bring you back to Ferry Lane.
• This little section has a stile, but you can avoid this by turning left to go up the last track. When you reach the main road, turn right and after 400 metres you'll be back at the end of Ferry Lane.
Rest and refresh: Ye Olde Dog & Badger pub at the top of Ferry Lane has tables outside (01491 571362, thedogandbadger.com).
Cambridge Backs, Cambridgeshire
Every college spire, shop doorway and ancient church in Cambridge has a story to tell. There's also a magical escape route into a more tranquil world. Our route takes you through the Backs, a strip of green land beyond the river, near King's and its neighbouring colleges. It starts at one of only four Round Churches in Britain, before embarking on a switchback tour of colleges, bridges and town buildings. You'll pass the university's oldest college, Peterhouse, which was founded in 1284, and see the famous Bridge of Sighs. At the heart of it all is the river, and there are many places to sit down on its banks and simply watch the world drift by. It's worth taking to the water on a punt, especially if you also have older children.
OS map: Explorer 209, grid ref. TL448587
How far: about 3 miles
Route: From the Round Church, walk along St John's Street then turn right down Trinity Lane, following it as it bends to the left and then taking the small alley on the right, before the entrance to Trinity Hall.
• Go over Garret Hostel Bridge, turn right on to the path just before the road and follow it past Trinity Bridge and along the riverbank to the Bridge of Sighs.
• Return to the path after Garret Hostel Bridge and turn right, crossing the grass to turn left, into Clare College.
• Go over Clare Bridge and into Clare College, through a gate, into a lane, then bear right to head to King's College Chapel.
• Pass the corner of the chapel and head right, along the edge of the green, turning left at the river.
• Cross King's Bridge, go along the path and through the iron gates. Turn left onto the path across the grass of the Backs, and left at Silver Street, continuing over the river.
• Take the alley between the patisserie and the Anchor pub, then turn right, through the gate and back over the river.
• Take the riverside path left, to the main road. Turn left over the bridge and left again, onto a path for the city centre.
• Go right, up Little St Mary's Lane and left onto Trumpington Street and carry straight on, to the start point.
Rest and refresh: Livingstones is very child-friendly with good changing facilities (St Andrews Street, 01223 566030). Further info: visitcambridge.org
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
On leaving the car parked in a forest glade you follow a plain track alongside open fields. The way turns left, and for a few pleasant moments you weave through woodland. Then the trees suddenly cease, a clearing opens out before you and, to your left, you see something that will stop you in your tracks: a pyramid. Erected in 1796 by Lady Caroline Suffield, it honours her father John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire. You'll walk a full mile more before the house itself heaves into view, standing amid the trees at the head of a glistening lake. You can choose to enter the grand Hall and explore its famous Long Gallery, which holds the National Trust's most important book collection. Or you could re-energise with a Cromer crab and a glass of local ale at the nearby pub and let the young ones muck about in the adventure playground.
OS map: Explorer 252, grid ref. TG162297
How far: 4 miles
Route: Follow the track from the car park south-east for 600 metres, with trees to the left and fields on the right.
• Turn left on to the compacted path through the woods. After crossing the mausoleum clearing, bear right and follow the path out of the trees, heading along a fence line towards a lone tree.
• Go on through a small wood and pick up the path signed 'Weavers' Way' until you reach the lake. Turn right and go along the nearside shore towards Blickling Hall, now visible in the distance.
• As you near the Hall, turn right to head along a grassy track and then left through a gate that leads to a road.
• Turn left, passing the pub on the right and play area on your left. The Hall is ahead, on the left.
• To return, take the small road opposite the pub and then bear left through a gate and along a wide track that heads through the estate towards the woods. This joins up with the path that you turned off to reach the mausoleum.
Rest and refresh: The Buckinghamshire Arms pub (01263 732133), just outside the main entrance to the Hall, has outdoor tables. Further info: nationaltrust.org.uk
Cannop Ponds, Gloucestershire
This lazy figure-of-eight walk loops around a Forest of Dean beauty spot. Reed warblers sing from the water's edge. Fallow deer nose their way softly through the trees. A wide path takes you away from the water through the Cannop Valley's magnificent oak and pine woodland. After touring the forest, our route loops back to the ponds along a wide cycleway. An elegant arched bridge leads you over the rippling little river that links the two lakes. The path then dives into the coolness of the trees on the far bank of the upper pond. To your right, the water is patterned by lilies, while ahead, the path finds a way through the marshy nature reserve's tall reeds and soon you're enjoying the final delights of the walk: a switchback stretch through glades and dells that are crying out to have dens built in them.
OS map: Explorer OL14, grid ref. SO610116
How far: 2.75 miles
Route: From the car park, walk along the easy tarmac road into the woods.
• When you reach the picnic area by the ponds, look out for the red-marked post. (From here on, much of this route is marked as the 'Cannop Ponds Trail', but the posts are somewhat erratic.)
• Head left on this winding path through the trees. When you reach a wider track, turn right and continue straight along the forest break for 1/2 mile, until you reach an angled track turning right.
• Take this and continue along it until you meet a cycleway, then turn right.
• This takes you back to the picnic area; here turn left, over the arched bridge and follow the path round the far side of the top pond.
• Turn right when you reach a wooden bridge and follow the path between hedgerows and then through the wood.
• This brings you back to the tarmac road; turn left to head back to your car.
Rest and refresh: There are no loos or permanent refreshment facilities; usually on summer weekdays there is a mobile snack van, but it's best to bring a picnic. Further info: forestry.gov.uk
Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
Grizedale is home to miles of thrilling mountain bike trails, but is so big (8,000 acres) that the adrenaline fans can zoom off and do their own thing and still leave plenty of peace for those who prefer a quiet wander through the woods. This route wanders in a figure-of-eight from the visitor centre, with a wooden bridge over a tumbling river gully. The path is suitable for all buggies (wheelchairs too) so you can just follow the wooden posts and lose yourself in the glories of the groves . Come here around dawn or dusk and you might see the last naturally afforested herd of red deer in England. Roe deer also roam free, while barn owls, buzzards and woodpeckers make their homes in the treetops. Manmade wonders thrive here too, in the shape of 20 sculptures sited along the walk.
OS map: Explorer OL7
How far: 1.25 miles
Route: From the car park, turn right in front of the loos and go past the striking Yan building, then simply follow the blue waymarked posts for the Ridding Wood Walk.
• Where the route zigzags back on itself you can continue on a little further, to a bench at a viewpoint, before returning.
Rest and refresh: The Grizedale visitor centre has a children's playground, education centre, café, loos and a shop.
Esk valley, North Yorkshire
At the start of this route the road falls, slowly at first and then steeply. And suddenly the bleak heights are behind you and a sheltered valley with toytown charms is spread out below; cottages snoozing on the hillside, green fields neatly diced by stone walls, a lazy river and a perfectly restored steam railway. The station for the North York Moors Railway sits at the heart of Grosmontthe doubled as Hogwarts station in the Harry Potter films. Our wizardly adventure starts with a ride on one of the lovingly restored trains. Pop your buggy in the guard's van and climb aboard a wood-panelled carriage. Alighting at Goathland, you'll wish the journey had been longer – until you spy the station tea room. Return along the track bed of an even older railway that runs parallel to the line you just travelled on. Halfway through the walk, a leafy lane leads to the one-street hamlet of Beck Hole, where the Birch Hall Inn is a must-stop. Is there another pub in the world with its own sweetshop sandwiched between the bar and the saloon? From there it's a simple cruise through the Esk Valley's deep green groove back to the bewitching streets of Grosmont.
OS map: Explorer OL27
How far: nearly four miles
Route: Board the train at Grosmont, sitting in one of the last three carriages. (Buy your ticket on the train – it was £5 per adult when we went, and under-5s go free!)
• Get out at the first stop, Goathland. Head out of the station up the steep access road.
• After passing a pub, turn right and cross the car park to a wooden gate.
• This path goes steeply downhill before settling into a gentler gradient.
• After a mile and a bit, you can turn right to visit Beck Hole.
• Turn right when you reach the road and cross the bridge to get to the sweetie-selling pub.
• Rejoin the path and continue down the valley, crossing the river and passing through quiet fields.
• Near Grosmont comes the only tricky bit, a steep climb with a few steps to go over the hill that the trains go under.
• Drop down past a church and you pop out at the station.
Further info: northyorkmoors.org.uk.
Beautiful Buggy Walks: England costs £16.95.
