For younger members of your family, heading off on a walk may not sound particularly appealing. But what if that walk became an adventure packed with things to see and do along the way?
Well, with these specially selected UK walks, that’s exactly what’s in store for you and your family. From a ramble through Harry Potter country to a wildlife rich urban safari, each one offers something different. And we’ve added a couple of buggy-friendly walk options too. Get ready to ramble…
The Hogwarts Walk
Embleton to Dunstanburgh
Northumberland
Difficulty rating – medium to hard
There’s one word to describe the rocky outcrops and golden sand dunes of the Northumbrian coast: magic! This walk takes in the historic ruins of Dunstanburgh castle where they filmed some of the Harry Potter movies. You also get a chance to take to the beach by Low Newton – depending on the tide of course – and perhaps even sample the fine food and drink at the famous Ship Inn. There are a few fields and some ups and downs along the way though, so make sure you prepare the wee ones in advance. 
The Volcano Walk
Arthur’s Seat
Edinburgh
Difficulty rating –easy to medium (suitable for buggies)
Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park is a truly unique landscape, just minutes from the heart of Scotland’s capital. And this route takes you round its main feature – the extinct volcanic plug of Arthur’s Seat with the amazing geology of Salisbury Crags alongside. Your path takes you around this massive mound of ancient rock, past St Anthony’s Chapel overlooking St Margaret’s Loch and eventually brings you out at Dunsapie Loch where the views out over the city are magnificent. Although steep in places, it’s tarmac all the way.
The Rock Garden Walk
Preston Park
Brighton
Difficulty rating – easy (suitable for buggies)
Preston Park is the city of Brighton’s biggest public park and offers a whole host of diversions to make a family walk with the kids a great day out. The walk takes you past a recently restored walled garden and a traditional rose garden. Plus there are some really fascinating buildings such as the Clock Tower, The Rotunda and The Tile House. But the main attraction has to be the Rookery Rock Garden on the opposite side of the road, one of the biggest in Britain and full of twisting walkways, streams and waterways.
The Woodland Animals Walk
Alice Holt Woodland Park
Near Basingstoke
Difficulty rating – medium
Kids love to get close to nature. So this Hampshire woodland walk along The Habitat Trail is bound to be a hit. Starting from a Totem pole decorated with woodland creatures, you’ll soon discover plenty of opportunities for fun, games and adventure. There’s a series of wooden bridges and wooden play furniture. Plus children can look out for all the wooden woodland friends along the way: an owl, a mouse, a woodpecker, a bat, a moth and a dragonfly.
The Winged Walk
RSPB Fairburn Ings Discovery Trail
Castleford, Yorkshire
Difficulty rating – easy (suitable for buggies)
With this simple buggy friendly walk, no one will get into a flap. Except, that is, the beautiful wild birds you’ll see as you follow the well-signposted path from the RSPB Visitor Centre where you start out. The route takes you past a hide, bird-feeding station, a viewing screen and a pond-dipping platform – each providing excellent opportunities to see rare feathered friends up close. There’s also a shop and public toilets very close to the visitor centre.
You can find full details of these walks at walkswithbuggies.com - walking routes for parents with young children.
More from the Walking Series:
Wild walks
Irish walking holidays
Take a walk for charity
Guide to essential walking equipment