London is a great place to visit, but sometimes you just want to enjoy the fresh air. Fortunately, London has plenty of parks and open spaces that are perfect for hiking. Whether you want to explore the wilds of Epping Forest or stroll along the riverbank in Richmond Park, there’s something here for everyone. Here are my favorite family-friendly hikes near London:
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is located in North London and has a variety of trails. It’s great for families with young children, as well as history buffs and wildlife enthusiasts. The area is also ideal for those who are interested in walking or running on the trail.
The main path through Hampstead Heath is called Parliament Hill Fields, which runs from Highgate Village to Hampstead village via Parliament Hill itself. Along this path, you’ll find plenty of benches where you can stop off for lunch or take some time out if your kids need a break from walking (or running). You’ll also find many other smaller paths leading off from it that give access to different parts of the parkland–take advantage!
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is the largest forest in London, and our friends from London Transport Hub love to camp out there! It’s over 6,000 years old and covers 2,500 hectares of land, making it one of Europe’s largest areas of ancient woodland.
Epping Forest offers loads of trails to choose from, so whether you’re looking for a short stroll or something more challenging, there’s something here for everyone. You could even combine your walk with some wildlife spotting – deer are often seen roaming around this area!
Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a theme park in Surrey, UK. It features a variety of rides and attractions for all ages, including roller coasters and water rides. There are also plenty of restaurants on-site and several shops where you can buy souvenirs or snacks.
Thorpe Park is open all year round, so it’s a great place to visit any time!
South Bank of Themes
The South Bank of Themes is a great place to take kids. It’s located in London, and there are many things to do there, including visiting museums and taking part in activities like skating or bowling. You can also take boat rides on the Thames River if you have time during your visit!
If you want something more relaxing, there are plenty of parks nearby where kids can play or run around freely without worrying about cars or traffic (unlike at home). If it rains while we’re there, we will go inside one of these buildings instead, but we usually prefer being outside because it feels more fun when it rains than when it doesn’t!
We recommend staying at least two nights so that everyone gets enough rest after their long day of activities before heading back home again tomorrow morning.”
Scadbury Manor Circular
Scadbury Manor is a great trail for families and easy to follow. The trail winds through beautiful scenery, so you can stop and take in the views anytime. There is also much wildlife on this route: visitors often spot deer, foxes, and rabbits. Don’t forget about all those birds!
The circular route takes around an hour to walk if you’re going at a steady pace. However, there are plenty of benches along the way, so you can stop whenever you want to admire nature or rest your legs. If you have younger children, we’d recommend taking them on shorter sections of this walk (there are plenty of options) rather than trying to do everything in one go!
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a great place for families to go for walks. It has plenty of things to see and do, including the Serpentine Gallery, Speakers’ Corner, and Kensington Gardens. There are also several cafes and restaurants nearby if you want to stop for lunch or a drink while exploring the park.
Scadbury Park
Scadbury Park is located in Bromley and is open to the public. It’s a great place for families to enjoy a day out together. There are trails suitable for all abilities, including one that is accessible by wheelchair users. The park has a play area, picnic area, and toilets, so you can make it an all-day event!
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is the largest of London’s Royal Parks, with over 1000 hectares of open space. It has a variety of wildlife and plants, including deer and oaks. The park is open to the public, and families can explore many trails together. There are also playgrounds where children can play while you enjoy your picnic lunch or just relax in the shade under one of its many trees.
Richmond Park has several restaurants serving everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to curry dishes worldwide!
Wimbledon Common
Wimbledon Common is one of the most popular parks in London, with plenty to see and do for all ages. The common covers about 1,000 acres (400 hectares), making it one of the largest open spaces in South West London.
It’s easy to reach Wimbledon Common on foot from anywhere in the city; it’s only 2 miles (3km) from central London, and you can access it via many different routes. If you’re traveling by public transport, take a train from Victoria Station or Clapham Junction stations towards Wimbledon station, where several bus stops are within walking distance of entrances onto Wimbledon Common itself. Alternatively, if driving, then follow signs for Merton High Street/High Street North & South/Putney Bridge Road until reaching an entrance into Wimbledon Park Village, where parking is available either on-street or at local pay-and-display car parks nearby
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some inspiration and ideas for your next family adventure. Whether exploring nature in the great outdoors or discovering London’s history, plenty of hiking trails near London will keep everyone entertained!
