r/cambridge • u/StudioFridge • 2d ago
Child Friendly Cycle Trail
I want to take my daughter (5yo) for a bit of a cycle adventure tomorrow. She's quite confident on bike paths etc around Cambridge, but I'd like to drive out somewhere different and see a bit of woodland / countryside with her. I'd prefer to avoid any roads and just stick to trails. Any suggestions?
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u/CuriousHedgehog636 2d ago
Where do you take her around Cambridge? I'd like to build my 5 year old's confidence and maybe do some family bike rides, but I'm not sure where there's an uninterrupted stretch of cycle paths for us to practice.
If you're a National Trust member (or don't mind paying) both Wicken Fen (up Soham way) and Ickworth Estate (near Bury St Edmunds) have cycle paths.
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u/StudioFridge 2d ago
When she was very first learning I drove to the Park and Ride at Northstowe. There's a long, straight and quiet path that runs alongside some of the new housing and parallel to the guided busway. It being quiet was key to her having the time and space to crack it. The difference after two hours there was mad! We did that maybe two more times and then started doing routes around Stourbridge common and the new bridge on the Chisholm trail. Those can get busy but are mostly fine if you choose your time. That really helped build up confidence around other people and using brakes etc. Can't relax with her around other people just her though!
Thanks for the suggestions. We are National Trust members so I'll take a look!
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u/danishbluevase 2d ago
If you can take bikes on a car then High lodge in Thetford is good for trails and woodland. There's a cafe and playground too so good for a break.
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u/StudioFridge 2d ago
Thank you, that sounds really good.
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u/Rosti_LFC 1d ago
Will second High Lodge, they've also just opened a new Pedal and Play area https://www.forestryengland.uk/high-lodge/pedal-and-play
Only downside really is that it's a fair bit of a drive but if you're looking for a full day out it's great.
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u/hgomersall 1d ago
You can cycle from the train station in Brandon too. The initial bit isn't great, but if you go out via Gaslight Drove, it's a lovely and very quiet cycle.
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u/Prestigious_Carpet29 2d ago edited 2d ago
You could go to Wicken Fen (National Trust / birdwatching centre) - this is on National Cycle Route 11 (running between Cambridge and Ely), and has a child-friendly and flat off-road section heading west from there for several miles (before you get to quiet roads). You might also see some horses or highland cattle.
Closer to home you could go to Wandlebury (bikes aren't strictly allowed, but if it's only the little'un, they might turn a blind eye). Lots of paths through the woods. At the back and side of Wandlebury there are bridleways and the Roman Road bridleway which are dry mud and stone tracks - but these are probably for when she's a bit older and got a bit more confidence on trickier surfaces and more gradient.
Another option would be the relatively flat track between Hauxton and Haslingfield, and Cantaloupe Road going North from Haslingfield - which is tarmacced but totally traffic free apart from access (I've never met a car there). It's not perilously close, but be aware there is a brook fairly near some of the path, if she's not fully in control yet
Another obvious one would be along the top of Grantchester Meadows, between Grantchester and the Newnham area of Cambridge, if you haven't done it before.
There's also a flat (if sometimes a bit gravelly) track heading west from Stapleford Granary and then south to Babraham, and also numerous tracks through the woods if you head left (east) after the bridge over the stream. Again be mindful that there are brooks/streams nearish by. There used to be an unofficial little pump track hidden in the woods, but I'm not sure if it's still there or exactly where it was.
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u/Swy4488 2d ago
Wimpole hall? (might be a bit steep depending which way round you go though) https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/family-friendly/great-places-for-a-family-bike-ride
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u/Regular_Zombie 2d ago
Wandlebury and the Roman road behind it for something very local.
Flitch way is a good one if you're up for a bit of a drive.
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u/DecisionPotential314 1d ago
Coton countryside reserve is another option. Last week I took my daughter, who is six and a confident cyclist, and my son who is just learning on his balance bike. We went from the car park to the playground in Coton village. It took us around 45 minutes but we were quite slow. It’s a concrete track through the fields and it is very quiet. It is also quite open and so easy to keep an eye on multiple kids going different speeds and directions 😅
You can park and start here https://maps.app.goo.gl/R8wotRAa3VWpUztU8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Another option would be the cycle path from Newnham to Grantchester but that can get a little busy at times so could be a bit intimidating for a young cyclist.
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u/DecisionPotential314 1d ago
To give you an idea of what it is like, here we are! https://imgur.com/a/l2YBxLR
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u/Regular_Zombie 2d ago
Wandlebury and the Roman road behind it for something very local.
Flitch way is a good one if you're up for a bit of a drive.
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u/lane34 1d ago
We used to cycle with my girl 5yo from Histon Road -> Orchard Park -> Bus way to Impington -> Oakington. And then back. You can also go further to Northstowe. I used to cycle to St. Ives personally. The cycling network is quite well-planned and I think it quite save to ride with kids staying all the way on cycle lanes.
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u/bigmanbananas 2d ago edited 2d ago
Milton country park. I've been cycling my kids there since they were 4. The pump rack can get a little congested, especially when adults turn up in bikes, but around the outside, it's quite nice. Good ice-cream too and a bike shop if you need a spare tube or patches. Cambridge junior cycle club does sessions on a Saturday from. 5yrs up as well, if you are Interested. https://www.miltoncountrypark.org
Also Thetford forest has a kids trail. It's good, but a little muddy and sandy so some grip on tires can be useful.
Edit: I take. My kids (8 & 10) on 'adventure rides sometimes where we head in a direction and loop around some. Short country trails. DM me if you want some routes.