Guarding the gateway to southwest England, Avon and Somerset is fantastic walking country. From its backdrop of lush rolling hills to the Somerset Levels and dramatic coastal paths, Avon and Somerset offers a little of everything. Home to the King Arthur’s legendary kingdom of Avalon and the site of Glastonbury Tor and the ley lines, Somerset is shrouded in tales of mystery and magic that will inspire children to get out and exploring. For those who like a view, the Mendip Hills and dramatic Cheddar Gorge offer plenty of uphill challenge whilst the Exmoor National Park provides wilderness walking for keen hiker. Children armed with buckets and spades will also not go disappointed with plenty of beautiful coastline waiting to be explored and the foodies amongst you can enjoy visiting the home of Cheddar cheese and scrumpy.
Below are listed a selection of suggested walks in Avon and Somerset for those hiking with babies in carriers or pushchairs. Alternatively the following links offer ideas and route suggestions to get you and the kids out in the West Country fresh air. Unfortunately there is not extensive information for buggy and pushchair walkers in the region – don’t worry, Baby Routes is on the case and will be adding new routes to the list below and in the meantime these links should provide a useful starting point.
Strawberry Line: enjoy traffic free walking and cycling with little ones on this dedicated route following the old railway line by the same name. Details of the existing route from Yatton to Cheddar are provided by Sustrans here and projects are under way to expand the route further.
Mendips AONB website provides high level detail of the region’s long distance routes as well as information for visitors.
Martin Hesp’s West Country Walks: offers a selection of dramatic walking routes in Somerset and Exmoor. No listings for pushchair walks but inspiring stuff for those up for adventure with baby carriers or older children.
Permanent link to this article: https://babyroutes.co.uk/walking-routes/uk-ireland-walks/avon-somerset-walks/
Map: OS Explorer 141 Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West; OS Landranger 183 Yeovil & Frome
Suitable for: Kids in carriers, adventurous little legs, preschoolers and older kids. Some hilly sections on the first half of the route mean it could be challenging …
Walk Distance: 2.6km (basic loop) or 5.2 km (including detour to New Manor Farm)
Walk Duration: 1hr 15 for the basic loop at preschooler pace, with plenty of view admiring time; allow 2-3 hours if heading to New Manor Farm – you’ll want to leave plenty of time …
OS Map: OS Landranger 172 Bristol & Bath; OS Explorer 155 Bristol & Bath; maps also available from National Trust website and Bath Tourist Information Centre (by Bath Abbey)
Suitable for: Babies in backpacks/carriers, older children (a few steep hills and uneven path in …
There are some great walks here, which I can’t wait to try! Unfortunately I couldn’t open the page for the Stanton Drew walk – maybe there’s a ‘glitch’?! I would also recommend the little walk from Wells, behind the Bishops Palace, to Dulcote. It’s possible to do the majority with a pushchair and all with a carrier, and has beautiful, varied views. http://www.walk4life.info/walk/wells-bishops-palace-dulcote.
Kate Limburn on September 13, 2016 at 11:50 Author
Thanks Elizabeth for your feedback. How strange on the Stanton Drew walk. It seems to be working again now but I’ll keep an eye on it -thanks. I think I know the walk you mean behind the Bishops Palace – a lovely walk through the meadows on a paved path for much of it if I remember rightly? Unfortunately Walk4Life now charge people to subscribe (a worthy cause though) to access their walks but I will try to cover the route when I’m next in the West Country as you are spot on with it being a lovely wander and easily accessible from beautiful Wells.
[…] Another highlight was a great new short walk near Chew Valley Lake we discovered. Despite growing up in the Chew Valley, I had never been up to the top of Knowle Hill before though I have driven past it many times. On a crisp, sunny December day this diminutive little hillock gave surprisingly great views all across the Chew Valley including over a sparkling Chew Valley Lake. On a day when the lakeside paths were busy with lots of winter day trippers escaping from Bristol to walk off their Christmas dinners, it was nice to leave them all behind at the car park and head up for a change. A great little discovery and an easy hill for young children to tackle with some lovely options to extend on other Baby Routes walks. […]
Determined to combine parenthood with her love of travel and the great outdoors, Kate founded Baby Routes in 2012 after the birth of her first daughter.
Now with reception & preschool age daughters & a baby boy to take on her adventures, Kate continues to test out family friendly walks, share travel tips and put outdoor gear for parents and tots through its paces.
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There are some great walks here, which I can’t wait to try! Unfortunately I couldn’t open the page for the Stanton Drew walk – maybe there’s a ‘glitch’?! I would also recommend the little walk from Wells, behind the Bishops Palace, to Dulcote. It’s possible to do the majority with a pushchair and all with a carrier, and has beautiful, varied views. http://www.walk4life.info/walk/wells-bishops-palace-dulcote.
Author
Thanks Elizabeth for your feedback. How strange on the Stanton Drew walk. It seems to be working again now but I’ll keep an eye on it -thanks. I think I know the walk you mean behind the Bishops Palace – a lovely walk through the meadows on a paved path for much of it if I remember rightly? Unfortunately Walk4Life now charge people to subscribe (a worthy cause though) to access their walks but I will try to cover the route when I’m next in the West Country as you are spot on with it being a lovely wander and easily accessible from beautiful Wells.
https://walkswithkidsnorthsomerset.wordpress.com/author/walkswithkidsnorthsomerset/
A link to child-friendly walks around Bristol (not my website!).
[…] Another highlight was a great new short walk near Chew Valley Lake we discovered. Despite growing up in the Chew Valley, I had never been up to the top of Knowle Hill before though I have driven past it many times. On a crisp, sunny December day this diminutive little hillock gave surprisingly great views all across the Chew Valley including over a sparkling Chew Valley Lake. On a day when the lakeside paths were busy with lots of winter day trippers escaping from Bristol to walk off their Christmas dinners, it was nice to leave them all behind at the car park and head up for a change. A great little discovery and an easy hill for young children to tackle with some lovely options to extend on other Baby Routes walks. […]