100 Great Walks with Kids

By Jen & Sim Benson

Getting out and exploring beautiful, wild places has always been an important part of life for us. We met through our mutual love for the outdoors, and spent our pre-child days running, climbing, mountain biking and adventure racing together.

When our kids arrived, we wanted to carry on having adventures but needed to adapt, finding different ways of doing things that worked well for all four of us. We tried using a buggy on a few occasions, but quickly found it didn’t suit us, or the places we wanted to explore.

When we started using Ergobaby carriers it really gave us our freedom back. With our children held close to us, we could walk comfortably and safely over rough terrain all day long. We could easily monitor and share body heat – essential in exposed, weather-affected places – and I could even breastfeed on the go, which was very liberating. We also used Ergobaby’s warm and waterproof covers to keep our children warm and dry wherever we were.

Kinder Low in the Peak District Copyright Jen and Sim Benson

When our daughter was three, and our son six months old, we set out on a year-long adventure, living in a bell tent and exploring Britain’s wilder places. Our daughter could walk good distances, but having the Ergobaby carrier packed in our rucksack meant we could easily transport her when she was tired or sleepy. Our son spent most of his days in his carrier, in and around the tent, or out exploring the surrounding hills, woods, mountains, lakes or moors. During our time under canvas, and over the years since, we have discovered many wonderful walks, perfect for both little legs and carriers. These inspired us to put together our new book, 100 Great Walks with Kids.

Butser Hill Copyright Jen and Sim Benson

When it comes to helping children enjoy walking, we often find mini mountains are popular. There’s an obvious goal to aim for at the top, great views when you get there, and the tired miles are all downhill. Carriers work really well too, as the terrain is often unsuitable for buggies. We have put together some of our favourite mini mountain walks below – full details can be found in the book:

1. Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor at 520 metres. The start point is already high on the moor, from where the summit is clearly visible, so it’s a really inspiring walk for children. The wide, well-made path is ideal for carriers, too. The views from the top are glorious – out across Exmoor to the Quantock Hills and over the Bristol Channel to Wales.
2. Another high point, Butser Hill, is the summit of the South Downs Way, which stretches across the south-east of England from Winchester to Eastbourne. Starting at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, where there’s lots for families to see and do, this is a beautiful walk through fascinating history, and easy to reach from London, too.
3. The Black Mountains lie on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, near to the Wales/England border. With lots of achievable summits and inviting paths, it’s a fantastic area for family walks. Sugar Loaf, Skirrid, and Hay Bluff are some of our favourite mini mountains, and over the summer months the slopes are cloaked with bilberries – perfect for foraging on the go.
4. When it comes to mini mountains, the Midlands has some real treasures if you know where to look. Within easy reach of Birmingham, the Clent Hills are one of our most surprising discoveries, with their strange, ancient-looking monuments and standing stones that actually only date back to the 18^th A network of easy-to-follow trails makes for a wide range of fun, family-friendly walks.
5. The Lake District is one of the best places for walking in the world, and many of the lower fells are a great introduction for children. Loughrigg Fell, between Grasmere and Langdale, is an enjoyable climb, with glorious views from the top. We also enjoy exploring the quieter, less-visited areas like Eskdale. In this peaceful corner of the western Lakes, waterfalls and tarns dot a landscape that feels wild and remote, yet has many walks that are very achievable for little legs and baby carriers.
6. Scotland is famous for its mountains, but many present a serious undertaking, even for experienced walkers. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent child-sized challenges waiting to be discovered, too. We’d recommend Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, formed from an ancient volcano; and East Lomond, ascending from the historic town of Falkland. Both walks offer beautiful views of the surrounding scenery and plenty of options for an ice-cream afterwards.

Jen & Sim Benson are award winning outdoor adventure writers and photographers, as well as Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champions. Their books include 100 Great Walks with Kids (Bloomsbury, 2021), Short Runs in Beautiful Places (National Trust Books, 2020) and Wild Running (Wild Things Publishing, 2019). jenandsimbenson.co.uk @jenandsim.

100 Great Walks with Kids is available now. Click here to get your copy today! 

Devon woodland Copyright Jen and Sim Benson